Mass – How to Prepare

1. Be more reverent at Mass by thinking about what you are doing during each part and what your actions mean – making the sign of the cross, standing, kneeling, processing forward to receive Communion.

2. Take time to make Sunday special as a Family Day. Make Sunday Mass the centerpiece of the day and the week.

3. Prepare for the liturgy by reading and reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures. You can do this privately and as a family since your child is learning about the Scripture during the week.

4. Be more aware of God’s presence during the days leading up to the weekend. Pray for at least ten minutes each day. For example, at the beginning or the end of each day make an examination of Consciousness. How present were you to God’s coming to you through your children, spouse, loved ones, and friends? Bring that awareness to the bible readings and the Mass.

5. When there are silent times at Mass try to be more aware of God’s voice of love within you.

6. As you prepare yourself and your children for Mass, teach your children about how special God’s house is and how blest we are by God. Continue this teaching on your way in the car.

7. When you arrive at church be welcoming to others in the parking lot and the entranceway to the church interior.

8. Try to attend mass with people you know or try to sit near them at the Mass.

9. During the Mass at the Offertory, offer your week – its joys and sorrows, successes and failures – to God

Make a sincere effort to carry the Mass with you into the world –
to respond to the Gospel by being more aware of the needs of others and by working for a more just world.
Consider joining our parish outreach ministry.