the mass

For some of you who are tagging along on this Catholic path with us, I am posting the order of Mass below. I cannot express to you how rich it has been to feed myself on these words every week. 

It is a banquet of words for my soul.

And not to be this or that, but in all sincerity, please note the central theme and worship of Christ in the Mass. The number one question I get about all of this is the issue of "mary" worship. If you read this, you can put your heart at ease, and be utterly overwhelmed by the honor and worship given to Christ alone.

The order of Mass

Entrance Procession

People stand up, the priest goes to the Altar.

Entrance hymn may be sung.

(All stand up)

Greeting

(Priest) In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

(Congregation) Amen.

The Grace and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

Penitential Act

My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Sacred Mysteries, let us call to mind our sins:

I confess to Almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters that I have sinned through my own fault in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, all the angels and saints, and you here present, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May Almighty God have Mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

Or:

Lord have mercy

Lord have mercy.

Christ have mercy

Christ have mercy.

Lord have mercy

Lord have mercy.

The Gloria

(Hymn of Praise. It may be said or sung )

Glory to God in the Highest,
and Peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your Glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
receive our prayer.
for you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Opening prayer

Amen. (All seat down)

Liturgy of the Word

First reading

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

Second reading

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

Gospel acclamation 

To be said or sung

(All stand) . . . . . . . . .

Homily

All seated

Profession of Faith

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in on Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
He came down from Heaven (all bow)
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontious Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven and is seated
at the right hand of the Father.
he will come again in Glory to judge
the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son
He is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one Holy, Catholic and
Apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

General Intercessions

At the end of each one:

Lord hear us

Lord, hear our prayer.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. 

It will become for us the bread of life.

Blessed be God forever.

By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity. 

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. 

It will become our spiritual drink.

Blessed be God forever.

(Quiet prayer) Lord God, we ask you to receive us and be pleased with the sacrifice we offer you with humble and contrite hearts.

Washing of the hands

Lord wash away my iniquities, cleanse me from my sins.

Invitation to pray

Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of all his Church.
(All stand up)

Prayer over the gifts

According to the proper of the Mass

Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God

It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Preface

At the end all sing or say

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your Glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
(All kneel down in adoration)

For acceptance of the offering:

Father, accept this offering from your whole family. Grant us your peace in this life, save us from final damnation, and count us among those you have chosen.

Through Christ our Lord

Amen.

The Consecration: The Lord's Supper

The day before he suffered, he took bread in his sacred hands, and looking up to heaven, to you, his almighty Father, he gave you thanks and praise. 

He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples and said:

Take this, all of you, and eat it:

this is my body which will be given up for you.

When supper was ended, he took the cup. Again he gave the cup to his disciples, and said: 

Take this, all of you, and drink from it:

this is the cup of my blood, 

the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. 

It will be shed for you and for all men

so that sins may be forgiven. 

Do this in memory of me.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

1. Christ has died, Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.

2. Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life.
Lord Jesus, come in Glory.

3. When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in Glory.

4. Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free.
You are the Savior of the world.

Memorial of the Paschal Mystery and offering

Father, we celebrate the memory of Christ, your son. We, your people and your ministers, recall his passion, his resurrection from the dead, and his ascension into glory; and from the many gifts you have given us we offer to you, God of Glory and majesty, this holy and perfect sacrifice the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation.

Look with favor on these offerings and accept them as once you accepted the gifts of your servant Abel, the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith, and the bread and wine offered by your priest Melchisedech.

Almighty God, we pray that your angel may take this sacrifice to your altar in heaven. Then as we receive from this altar the sacred body and blood of your Son, let us be filled with every grace and blessing.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Final doxology

Through him, with him, in him, 

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honor is yours

Almighty Father, 

forever and ever.

Amen. (All stand up)

Rite of Communion

Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the word our Savior gave us:

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come:
Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. 

In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles:

I leave you peace, my peace I give you.

Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever.

Amen.

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

. . . . . . . .

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.
(All kneel down)

May the mingling of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, bring eternal life to us who receive it.

Lord Jesus Christ, with faith in your love and mercy, I eat your body and drink your blood. 

let it not bring me condemnation, but health in mind and body.

Holy Communion

This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Happy are those who are called to his supper.

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.

People receive Holy Communion

The body of Christ

Amen.

The blood of Christ

Amen.

After Holy Communion

Let us pray

(All stand up)

Prayer after communion

Amen.

Concluding rite

Announcements and final blessing

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

May almighty God bless you,

The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The Mass is ended, go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

wig

Well, I have scoured the internets, and this is what I have come up with:) Let me just tell you, little girl wigs pretty much look awful.  This one is really cute, though. Don't you think? There are way more custom, expensive options out there, but that's not really something we are looking at right now, since we just want this to be a fun thing. If it's something we see she really wants and desires, then we will cross that bridge- but this going to be more in the hat category. If you want to wear it, great! If you don't, even better! 

Let me just tell you, having a bald little girl was not on my radar when I wanted kids. It never even crossed my mind. Josh and I were talking the other night- how we had not created a lot of space to be sad about it together (or even a part). I don't know, there is a warrior buried inside mamas that comes out to fight when then things go the wrong way. I have plenty of sadness about this buried deep. There is not one day that I don't think about this. multiple times a day. 

But I just keep thinking. I need to fight for her. Help her navigate this part of her identity.

One thing, I know. She is beautiful. Inside and out.

Hair never made her either of these things.

just write: Winter

(written in participation with "just write")

Winter is coming early. or at least it's peaking its head in for a visit. I am trying to be hospitable. I pulled the curtains and lit some candles. I managed to get one child to sleep, and swept the floors so the other could crawl without danger.

it can be dangerous around here.

I have been thinking a lot about being a mother the past few days.

I remember aching for park play dates, with friends. how pleasant that would be.

It can be.

Or it can be like today when your child is kicking hay and dust and rolling around screaming because, well, we have to leave the pumpkin patch.

It was  fun. but it wasn't like I used to dream such days would be. There is always work even in attempts at play. The shepherding. The protecting. The discipline.

And then Winter came. It was blowing up dust and raining cold drops carried by a north wind.

and we headed home.

I read and article today. over here. I wanted to hug her. thank her.

One of the reasons that I am drawn to the sacramental Church ( refer here to our Catholic Journey)- is the  idea that the ordinary is sacred.

Changing diapers. sacred.
My child's laugh. sacred.
Just being here. present. sacred.

and even Winter, and it's cold days.

sacred.

smiles

This little girl is almost 9 months old. and she is ALL smiles these days.

Amelia.

She is kind and gentle.

She talks, a lot! Lots of cooing and babble.

She loves to say "da,da,da and ma ma ma ma"

Yesterday, she started saying "fa, fa, fa!"

She will play for long periods of time with her toys.

She is starting to scoot around.

She wakes up once for milk at night.

She is not a good napper. boo.

but she is happy, which will take this momma a long way!

we love you, millie moo.

fairy princess.

I am starting to love this stage we are in. That stage where you are the main actor, and you get to be whoever you want to be.

Meet my fairy princess. 

She floats.

She dances.

She says- "I so pretty!"

I hope she will remember this.

because it's true.

Annie has been talking about hair.

and Christmas. 

and getting hair for Christmas.

sigh.

We're thinking about a wig for fun. or for real. for whatever she wants it to be.

and that's that.

become you

it's hard to become you. Sometimes I look at Annie, and I think- that's it. This is the age when we are truly "us". She is almost completely un-self aware. She is comfortable in her own skin. She doesn't know the world is looking at her yet. She doesn't care, even if they are. She is happy, unabashedly so. And when she is sad, she is unabashedly so. When she loves, she loves fully.

the kingdom belongs to such as these.

I am almost 36, and I would give anything to be back to that place. The place where I don't care so much about what you or anyone else thinks. The place where the world is mine to gaze and find wonder in. Where people are there to love and be loved. Where God is a gift, a grace, and my relationship with him is not dependent upon what great theologians I know about or read or quote. What camp I reside in on any given day.

We don't know much about heaven, but we do know it involves a feast. I don't know if it will be sugar free or paleo or gluten free. I don't think we'll care. I think we will feel safe. relieved. loved. I am not sure I am even know what worship is, but I think we'll be doing that.

I am almost 36 and I am praying to become more like my child.

the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

there is no perfect place

I was able to go to church this Sunday. It was really good. We love our priest and feel nourished on this unexpected path.

We chose the specific church we are at, to go through this process, because we really connected with the priest and felt like this would be a safe, not threatening place to be. This has proven to be true.

We did not choose this church for the jazzy-ish music.

The reality for me, unfortunately, when it comes to music, lies in two extremes. I am pretty much only going to be satisfied in an entirely acoustic, one guitar and a violin kind of scenario, or a cathedral choir. Everything in between just feels cheesy, which is pretty much most churches in America. Catholic or Protestant.

We'll find our way, and this place is our home for now. I will suffer through the jazz mass. one chord at a time.

hugs and kisses.

okay

For those who thought I might have been teetering on the edge given my past couple of posts, I am doing better today.

Last night, Annie came into my room before bedtime. We cuddled and chatted. She kissed me  on the cheeks at least 20 times. I think I needed the sweet connection more than her. It was a kind moment in the middle of a stormy week.

The truth is. I just wish I was better. I wish I had more energy. I wish so many things.

But I am me, and she is she- and we are all in this together.

thanks for letting me keep it real, here.

speaking of real. I didn't update on our third week of Catholic class. To be honest, it was SUPER boring. We had a speaker, who spoke on the Covenants- which Josh could teach in his sleep. It was kind of frustrating, because I actually love looking  at the different covenants and how they grow into God's beautiful plan of redemption- but this guy, though I am sure sincere, was a bit on the dry side. Anyway, nothing new really to report, just trucking along.

with Annie, it's drama. all day long.

Annie doesn't do anything without drama and energy. This is beautiful and exhausting. We've reached a major whiney phase lately, and much drama at bedtime. Everything I read says to ignore the behavior. But I feel like my body gets sent out of orbit at every tantrum. I hit the wall last week- have I mentioned this already? I'll be honest, its  been difficult to stare the day in the face some mornings. I just feel frustrated, trying every way to make this season easier. I come up short, daily. I sin. I raise my voice. I spank with too much anger in my heart.

No mother of the year award for me.

I wish I was better at this, but I am not. I am actually a lot like Annie, which should be make me more compassionate, more patient, more motherly.

so anyway, sometimes all you can do is paint and let the drama unfold on paper.

and there you have it.

sighs

I am having a hard couple of weeks. Feeling the discouragement of not sleeping through the night, well, in YEARS. Feeling the needs of my family, draining every ounce of energy that I have. Knowing I am lucky, blessed beyond measure, completely spoiled rotten, and feeling fairly worthless even writing these words.

I am living in the most glorious month that there is. October.

and today, I am committing it to beauty.

A wreath will be made.
Flowers planted.
and  a reading chair for the front porch will be found.

before long, the winter will set in. we'll be cozy by the fire and missing these days.

I'm trying to turn my discontent into contentment.

It's not easy. and I would rather pout.

let's hope the better wins today.

Annie just crawled in my lap.

"I need hug"

she hugs. She looks.

"You are very cute"

me, "thankyou, annie"

"I love you"

me, "I love you, too."

"I watch tv"

me, "ok"

ah.

Scenes from a Monday

I have been working on the weekends, so Mondays are a little overwhelming.

lots to clean up.

but cute girls to look at:)