October 9, 2024

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

I have noticed several articles written lately in Catholic magazines concerned with making our Catholic liturgy better, holier. The question is rather interesting. Now I want you to know that I am not a liturgist. I have not gone into advanced studies for theology or the study of the liturgy of our Catholic Church. My ideas are particularly my own.

I have found one thing that helps in making my celebration of the Mass much better. I like to encourage those who are participating at this Mass with me to try to remember to pray for each other – for each person there with them at Mass. I know that each person at Mass comes with many intentions for which they are praying, for their own needs and for their loved ones, but I ask them to look around and remember in their prayers all who are there joining with them at this Mass. It makes us a community of love.

Each time I go to the altar as the priest celebrant for Mass and look out at the congregation, I know that I must include all of them in my intentions as we pray together at this Mass. Over the years, I have discovered that there is one or maybe many more who are with us who have serious concerns and needs. I must remember them even though I’m not exactly certain who they are. My prayer and my hope is that God finds them and brings his love and guidance to them in a special way.

I believe that each Mass I celebrate should and must unite us all – especially those present – in a special relationship with our God. We should become united in prayer for each other. Who knows why each one of us decided to participate in this Mass on this day, but the Lord brings us together, and we must unite ourselves in a special way in prayer. Each Eucharist offers our gratitude to our God. As we pray together at Mass, we are offering our thanksgiving to the Lord for his constant help and guidance.

I believe that this makes our Mass so much holier, as all present are joined in prayer for each other and for each person’s intentions. These days, there is one other factor I should include. There are many who will be watching this Mass on livestream at home. They should be included in the prayers and intentions of this Mass as well as we can. In fact, we should be praying for all the people of our parish. I believe that this unites all together in this Mass; this Mass becomes a wonderful joining of the people of the parish with all those present at the Mass, calling God’s love and peace upon us all.

One more thing for now: I always like to encourage at every Sunday Mass the importance of the saying together of the Creed. This prayer is also a moment of continuing dedication to our Catholic faith, to all that the Church believes. Saying the Creed, we announce to God, to ourselves, to all who are listening that we promise in faith to Our God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – that we are prepared, empowered by the Holy Eucharist, to live better, dedicated to making our world a better place and ready to make our parish more alive in the Lord Jesus.

So much more to say – we are constantly considering better ways for Holy Communion. I can imagine taking more time so that each person could take a moment – standing before the priest, the Eucharistic Minister – to say a prayer of welcome as they are about to receive the Eucharistic Lord. I know we must encourage this for all coming forward in the line for Communion.

Mass is such a powerful prayer. If we pray the Mass sharing in the love of the Lord, we will leave each and every Mass a different person, a transformed person, ready to live this day with family and community a we as we can.