What are Roman Catholic services like?

Answer 1

You will find that the Mass is very similar to High Church of England communion service. The Mass is divided into various parts, including a welcome, act of contriction and asking forgivness for sins, act of faith, the lessons which are two readings from the Bible and a reading from one of the Gospels, all with a similar theme. The Homily (sermon) explains the theme. The bread and wine are offered to God. Then there is the constration where the bread and wine are changed into Christs body and blood. Communion follows and then the Thanksgiving. You may be surprised to see the laity involvement, The readinds are read by lay people, and Communion distrubited by members of the congration. Women are activily involvrd

Answer 2

Roman Catholic services tend to be very peaceful and orderly. Catholics follow a liturgical model, meaning their services will follow a set schedule and have certain elements each and every time. Mass begins with an opening hymn in which the priest and the altar attendants enter carrying a cross, the mass book (which contains bible verses and prayers) and candles. The priest says opening prayers and then everyone sits down to listen to two bible verse readings, one from the Old Testament and usually one from the New, and a Psalm. Everyone stands to sing Hallelujah before the priest reads from the Gospels, then everyone sits while the Priest says his sermon called the "homily." The Homily is generally the priest's discussion about how The Bible readings relate to modern life and problems. After the homily, everyone stands to say the Nicene Creed, also called the Profession of Faith. (Google it, it's too long to fit in this space)

After the Profession, the collection is taken up and the bread and wine for Communion is brought to the alter. Several prayers are said during this time, including prayers for the needs of the church community, the country in general, and individuals in need. Also, the entire church joins hands for the Our Father Prayer and to wish each other Peace. The Priest begins his prayers which will Consecrate the Bread and Wine and most of the Church members kneel during this section of the Mass. Each member of the church who is qualified to receive communion (is of age and is not currently in a state of sin) lines up to receive the Communion Bread. Receiving the Communion wine is optional. After receiving communion, each person kneels to pray for several minutes, generally meditating on the mystery of Communion, asking God for his Blessings, or expressing gratitude for God's gifts. After the communion chalices are cleaned and put away, the priest will say the closing prayers and make any announcements concerning Church activities (bake sales, Sunday school programs, etc). Then father ends the services by telling the congregation to go and love and serve the Lord.

Another answer:

Mass is the Eucharistic celebration in the Latin liturgical rites of the Roman Catholic Church. The term is used also of similar celebrations in Old Catholic Churches, in the Anglo-Catholic tradition of Anglicanism, in Western Rite Orthodox Churches, in Lutheran churches, and in a small number of High Church Methodist parishes. For the celebration of the Eucharist in Eastern Churches, including those in fullcommunion with the Holy See, other terms such as the Divine Liturgy, the Holy Qurbana and the Badarak are normally used. Most Western denominations not in full communion with the Catholic Church also usually prefer terms other than Mass.

For information on the theology of the Eucharist and on the Eucharistic liturgy of other Christian denominations, see "Eucharist" and "Eucharistic theology".

For information on history see Eucharist and Origin of the Eucharist, and with specific regard to the Roman Rite Mass, Pre-Tridentine Massand Tridentine Mass.

The term "Mass" is derived from the Late Latin word missa(dismissal), a word used in the concluding formula of Mass in Latin: "Ite, missa est" ("Go; it is the dismissal").[1][2] "In antiquity, missa simply meant 'dismissal'. In Christian usage, however, it gradually took on a deeper meaning. The word 'dismissal' has come to imply a 'mission'. These few words succinctly express the missionary nature of the Church"

Answer 3

Readings of the Holy Bible from the Old and New Testament are read and the priest or Deacon gives a homily explaining the readings. The main focus a Catholic mass is the consecrating of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. Mass is said at the Altar by a priest. This is by direction of Christ at the last supper - he told his apostles to do this in memory of me. The congragants (lay people) then receive the Holy Eucharist following the priest.