| Copyright 2001-2005The Parish of the Holy Cross, Nesconset, NY |
We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe
"Stay with Us Lord"
(Luke 24:29)
(Luke 24:29)
The Liturgy of the Word
There are three readings on Sundays and major feasts: a reading from the Old Testament, the New
Testament, and the Gospel: from a Prophet, an Apostle, and a Gospel. For the Gospel readings on
Sundays there is a three year cycle: Year A is the Gospel of Matthew, Year B is the Gospel of Mark; and
Year C is the Gospel of Luke. The Gospel of John is used on the first Sundays of Lent and during the
Easter Season.
Testament, and the Gospel: from a Prophet, an Apostle, and a Gospel. For the Gospel readings on
Sundays there is a three year cycle: Year A is the Gospel of Matthew, Year B is the Gospel of Mark; and
Year C is the Gospel of Luke. The Gospel of John is used on the first Sundays of Lent and during the
Easter Season.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
THE OLD TESTAMENT READING:
There is usually a thematic connection between the Old Testament reading and the Gospel. The Old
Testament reading is chosen to prepare for the Gospel: from prophesy to fulfillment.
There is usually a thematic connection between the Old Testament reading and the Gospel. The Old
Testament reading is chosen to prepare for the Gospel: from prophesy to fulfillment.
THE GOSPEL READING:
If a deacon is reading the Gospel you see him ask the priest for a blessing. The priest says: “The Lord
be in your heart and on your lips that you may worthily proclaim His Gospel. In the name of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
As the priest or deacon introduces the Gospel he makes the sign of the Cross on the Gospel Book and
on his forehead, his lips and his heart. The congregation does the same, asking Christ to be on our
minds and on our lips, and in our hearts as we take His word into our lives.
At the end of the Gospel the deacon or priest says: “The Gospel of the Lord” and we respond: “Praise
to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”
We then sit for the homily, which is meant to be a breaking open of the Word of God in applying this
Good News to daily living.
If a deacon is reading the Gospel you see him ask the priest for a blessing. The priest says: “The Lord
be in your heart and on your lips that you may worthily proclaim His Gospel. In the name of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
As the priest or deacon introduces the Gospel he makes the sign of the Cross on the Gospel Book and
on his forehead, his lips and his heart. The congregation does the same, asking Christ to be on our
minds and on our lips, and in our hearts as we take His word into our lives.
At the end of the Gospel the deacon or priest says: “The Gospel of the Lord” and we respond: “Praise
to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”
We then sit for the homily, which is meant to be a breaking open of the Word of God in applying this
Good News to daily living.
ALLELUIA VERSE:
Alleluia means: “Praise the Lord.” We praise the Lord as we prepare to listen to the words of the
Gospel. We stand for the Gospel out of respect for Jesus Christ and His word.
Alleluia means: “Praise the Lord.” We praise the Lord as we prepare to listen to the words of the
Gospel. We stand for the Gospel out of respect for Jesus Christ and His word.
THE NEW TESTAMENT READING:
The second reading is chosen independently of the Old Testament reading and the Gospel. It is taken
from the Epistles (letters written by St. Paul and other apostles to early Christian communities) and the
Acts of the Apostles (the account of the early Church).
At the end of the first and second reading the lector says: “The Word of the Lord” and we respond:
“Thanks be to God.”
The second reading is chosen independently of the Old Testament reading and the Gospel. It is taken
from the Epistles (letters written by St. Paul and other apostles to early Christian communities) and the
Acts of the Apostles (the account of the early Church).
At the end of the first and second reading the lector says: “The Word of the Lord” and we respond:
“Thanks be to God.”
THE PSALM RESPONSE:
Jesus is the living Word of God. We listen to the readings as the living Word of God given to us today.
The responsorial Psalm offers us the opportunity to meditate on the Word we have just heard. It is
usually taken from the Psalms.
Jesus is the living Word of God. We listen to the readings as the living Word of God given to us today.
The responsorial Psalm offers us the opportunity to meditate on the Word we have just heard. It is
usually taken from the Psalms.
THE PROFESSION OF FAITH:
The Creed professed at Mass is a summary of the faith expressed by the Councils of Nicaea (325 A.D.)
and Constantinople (381 A.D.) as ratified by the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.) So you can see that
the profession of faith we make at Mass is very ancient in our Christian tradition.
The Creed professed at Mass is a summary of the faith expressed by the Councils of Nicaea (325 A.D.)
and Constantinople (381 A.D.) as ratified by the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.) So you can see that
the profession of faith we make at Mass is very ancient in our Christian tradition.
THE PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL:
The petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful go from the most universal to the most personal. In general
there are four categories that make up the petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful: the needs of the
Church, public authorities and the salvation of the world, those oppressed by any need, and the local
community.
The petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful go from the most universal to the most personal. In general
there are four categories that make up the petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful: the needs of the
Church, public authorities and the salvation of the world, those oppressed by any need, and the local
community.
The Parish of the Holy Cross