Liturgy For members of Holy Name of Mary Parish, the Liturgy is a focal point of our spirituality each week.  We come together as a diverse community to celebrate through “full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Chapter One, [14])  We assemble as one mind in prayer, one voice in song and one spirit in community. We know at Holy Name of Mary that Liturgy does not just happen.  In gathering we ask that all members of the assembly give of themselves to each other.  We welcome newcomers and visitors, trying to make all people feel at home with us.  Our gathering rite helps the assembled community become a worshiping community by being ready to participate in all of the mass and be Christ to one another. The Word of God is proclaimed in the midst of the assembly to help the assembly experience the life-giving presence of Jesus in his Word.  We do not use missalettes at mass as we believe that reading along diminishes the communication of the Word.  We have well trained lectors who can be heard and understood.  By communicating their faith in the Word, we believe that the Lectors can move others to faith in the Word. The Eucharistic Prayer is an action in which we all participate.  It is not the priest’s prayer.  We involve ourselves fully when we join our hearts to the words spoken by the presider, when we listen and when we sing the acclamations with full voices.  Our parish maintains the ancient custom of standing during the Eucharistic Prayer to express our reverence during that time of praise and thanksgiving to God. Because we as Catholics believe that Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus and a sign of oneness of faith, life and worship, non-Catholics do not ordinarily receive Holy Communion.  However, all who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to come forward with arms crossed over their hearts for a blessing. At Holy Name of Mary we recognize that the Eucharistic response does not stop when Mass is over.  The dismissal rite sends each member of the community forth to do good works while praising and the Lord.  We know that as the assembly we are sent out as the Lord’s disciples, not just as individuals but as “church” to proclaim the Good News of Jesus’ love for all.  We are sent forth to help and support one another to build up the Body of Christ.