Liturgy

This is from Our Catholic Faith website:

A). The First Reading: -The Hebrew Scriptures: The first reading is mostly chosen from the Old Testament and during some seasons the Book of Acts might be read. This reading usually harmonizes with the Gospel reading (see below). This reveals the continuity between Israel and Jesus who comes not to replace but to fulfill Israel.

B). The Responsorial Psalm: The Psalm reflects themes in the readings. The Psalm consists of an antiphon. This is a vehicle of prayer and praise - an atmosphere of prayer within which the readings occur.

C). The Second Reading - The Christian Scriptures: This reading is also referred to as the Epistle, is usually from one of the letters in the New Testament which may also include the Book of Acts or the Book of Revelations. While the letters address particular situations in the early Church, their message transcends the centuries to motivate contemporary Christians and deepen our appreciation of the mystery of Christ.

D). The Gospel - Alleluia: "Alleluia" is a Latin echo of the Hebrew acclamation "Praise God!" and is a key word in Christian worship. Here it heralds the Gospel. In a solemn celebration the church deacon goes to the altar where the Gospel is enthroned. He lifts the book and, accompanied by servants (altar-boys) with candles and on some occasions incense (symbols of Christ's light), processes with the Gospels held high while choir and community acclaim the good news with "Alleluia," alternating with verses appropriate to today's Gospel. Christians acclaim the most wonderful deed of God among humankind, Jesus Christ, here made visible in the book containing His words and message to us all.

E). The Gospel Reading: The Gospel is the climax of the liturgy of the word. Catholic faith teaches that in proclaiming the Gospel, Christ is truly present to the community. For this reason the community stands to witness to Christ's resurrection which allows him to be present to his people.

As the deacon or priest introduce the Gospels all in the community sign themselves with the sign of the cross traced on the forehead, the lips and over the heart. This signing reminds us "Christ in my thoughts" , "Christ from my lips or what I say" and "Christ in my heart" .

Hearing the Gospel proclaimed also reminds and identifies Catholics with the first community which heard these words for the mouth of Jesus. On the conclusion of the reading the minister proclaims, "This is the Gospel of the Lord." He means not the book, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the "Good News" itself. The community affirms in faith by responding, "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ".

F). The Homily (or mini-sermon): Christians believe that "faith comes through preaching."(Romans 3:13-15). This idea is rooted in Jewish belief that the creative power of God's word transforms human life.

The Scriptures are not always easy to understand and apply to present life. For this reason the homily breaks open the Scriptures, showing how the word of God addresses us today. What import does the Gospel have for our lives today, for the world we live in, for issues in the community forum?

G). The Profession of Faith: (the Creed): The Creed is a written profession summarizing the community's search for an ever deepening understanding of Jesus and His message. The Nicene-Constantinople Creed is most often used at Mass, although the Apostles' Creed may be used at some liturgies. Please note that both creed's are used by not only the Catholic Church, but also by Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Orthodox and many other Christian faiths.

H). General Intercessions (Prayers of the Faithful): The people petition God for the needs of the Church, society, the parish, people in need, the sick and suffering, and those who have died. They direct our faith which has been deepened through prayer and listening to God's word to specific situations today. These prayers conclude the Liturgy of the Word.

It was very accurate and educational. Hope you like it!

Following is an alphabetical list of the principal feasts and liturgical seasons from the Catechism: Advent - The liturgical season of four weeks devoted to preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas (524).

Annunciation - The visit of the angel Gabriel to the virgin Mary to inform her that she was to be the mother of the Savior. After giving her consent to God's word, Mary became the mother of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit (484, 494).

Ascension - The entry of Jesus' humanity into divine glory in God's heavenly domain, forty days after His Resurrection (659,665).

Assumption - The dogma that recognizes the Blessed Virgin Mary's singular participation in her Son's Resurrection by which she was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, when the course of her earthly life was finished (2124-5).

Christmas - The feast of the Nativity, the birth of Jesus (1171). Easter - The greatest and oldest Christian feast, which celebrates Christ's Resurrection from the dead. Easter is the "feast of feasts", the solemnity of solemnities, the "Great Sunday". Christians prepare for it during Lent and Holy Week, and catechumens usually receive the Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil (1169; cf. 647).

Epiphany - The feast that celebrates the manifestation to the world of the newborn Christ as Messiah, Son of God, and Savior of the world. The feast of Epiphany celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the east, together with his baptism in the Jordan and the wedding feast of Cana in Galilee (528; cf. 535).

Feast Days - The annual cycle of liturgical celebrations commemorating the saving mysteries of Christ's life, as a participation in the Paschal Mystery, which is celebrated annually at Easter, the "feast of feasts." Feast days commemorating Mary, the Mother of God, and the saints are also celebrated, providing the faithful with examples of those who have been glorified with Christ (1169, 1173). Holy Days of Obligation - Principal feast days on which, in addition to Sundays, Catholics are obligated by Church law to participate in the Eucharist; a precept of the Church (2043, 2180). Holy Week - The week preceding Easter, beginning with Palm (Passion) Sunday, called the "Great Week" in the liturgies of the Eastern Churches. It marks the Church's annual celebration of the events of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, culminating in the Paschal Mystery (1169). Immaculate Conception - The dogma proclaimed in Christian Tradition and defined in 1854, that from the first moment of her conception, Mary -- by the singular grace of God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ -- was preserved immune from original sin (491). Pentecost - The "fiftieth" day at the end of the seven weeks following Passover (Easter in the Christian dispensation). At the first Pentecost after the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit was manifested, given and communicated as a divine Person to the Church, fulfilling the paschal mystery of Christ according to His promise (726, 731; cf.1287). Annually the Church celebrates the memory of the Pentecost event as the beginning of the new "age of the Church", when Christ lives and acts in and with His Church (1076). Colors of the Liturgical Year

Green - Ordinary Time

Violet - Advent & Lent, Mass for Life, Funerals (optional)Red - Passion, Holy Spirit, Martyrs, Pentecost, ConfirmationWhite - Easter & Christmas, Feasts of Our Lord & non-martyrs, Funerals (opt.) (oRose - 3rd Sunday of Advent and 4th Sunday of Lent (optional)Black - Funerals (optional) Masses for the Dead and All Souls (optional)

Eucharistic Liturgy means that we completely understand that Jesus Christ, Son of God gave His Body and Blood on the Cross for the sins of all the mankind including us. By taking part in Holy Communion we symbolize and remember His Passion, this we promise to carry out till He returns.

Eucharistic Liturgy refers to the Eucharist, also known as the Mass. It is composed of the Liturgy of the Word (previously known as the Mass of the Catechumens) and the Liturgy of the Eucharist (previously known as the Mass of the Faithful) in which Our Blessed Lord's Passion and Death are re-presented on the altar, and His Risen Body is given to the faithful in Holy Communion.