Celebrating together

The celebration of the Eucharist commits us to the poor and should flow into social action; our active love for the poor and oppressed, the sick and the sad, leads us back to the Eucharist as the source and summit of all we do. St John Chrysostom challenged those who recognised Christ in the breaking of bread to recognise him also in the broken lives of those around them: ‘Would you honour the body of Christ? Do not despise his nakedness; do not honour him here in church clothed in silk vestments and then pass him by unclothed and frozen outside. Remember that he who said, “This is my body”, and made good his words, also said, “You saw me hungry and gave me no food”, and, “in so far as you did it not to one of these, you did it not to me”. In the first sense the body of Christ does not need clothing but worship from a pure heart. In the second sense it does need clothing and all the care we can give.

cf Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, One Bread One Body, s43

Concluding Rites

After the Communion Rite, the Mass closes with a brief Concluding Rite. Its purpose is to send the people forth to put into effect in their daily lives the Paschal Mystery and the unity in Christ which they have celebrated. They are given a sense of abiding mission, which calls them to witness to Christ in the world and to bring the Gospel to the poor.

Dismissal of Commissioned Ministers taking Communion to the Housebound or Sick

It is fitting for Holy Communion to be taken directly from Mass to the sick or those unable to leave their homes. The Presider will normally speak words of dismissal or missioning over the ministers taking Holy Communion to the sick and housebound. These words may be based on the words of the Communion antiphon, on the readings of the day, or in a simple form such as: Go now, to our sisters and brothers unable to be with us for reasons of sickness and infirmity. Take to them from our celebration the word of God and HolyCommunion, that they might share with us these signs of the Lord’s goodness.

Celebrating the Mass 217, 221

Things to do

• Take a meditative walk.

• As you walk look to see as God might see. What is happening? What is there that needs God’s mercy and healing?

• As you walk look to see signs of the Kingdom. What do you see that is a sign of God’s goodness and love? What is there that is a sign of people’s response to God’s love and the Gospel?

• As you walk where do you find yourself in all of this? What in your life needs God’s healing and love? What is there in your life and the way that you try to live that shows your love of God and your welcome of the Gospel?

• Bring your thoughts and feelings with you to your next celebration of Mass - let them inform your thanksgiving and your intercession.

• Find out more about any special mission project of your parish or diocese, or London Citizens, CAFOD, etc.

• Read and reflect Read Mark 7:1-23. Use this to review your priorities and the priorities of your parish.