Service Times

The Mass is a very important part of Catholic life. We come together every weekend as a community to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, to pray together, to worship God and receive Holy Communion. Often after Mass, there is time for private prayer or socialising with others.

 

Sunday Mass is usually around one hour long, with readings, prayers, hymns and Holy Communion. There will usually be somebody to welcome you into church, and give you a hymn book and order of Mass, so you can follow along or join in where you feel comfortable. Nobody will judge you if you don’t know quite what’s going on yet! We are used to new people and want you to feel welcome.

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Weekday Masses are usually shorter, around half an hour, and often without hymns.

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Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of Christ, in the form of consecrated bread and wine. Before Jesus was crucified, he gathered his friends together to share a final meal. He took bread and wine, gave thanks to God, and said “this is my body” and “this is my blood”. At Mass, the priest does the same. The bread and wine is offered to God, and the priest says the words of consecration. Catholics believe that Jesus becomes really present in a special way under the appearance of bread and wine. By celebrating the Eucharist and receiving Holy Communion, we are living out Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, “Do this in memory of me”.

 

During Mass, we approach the altar together to receive Holy Communion. If you’ve never received Holy Communion before, or if for any other reason you are unable to, you are welcome to join the rest of the congregation in going forward, but instead of receiving Communion, signal that you’d prefer a blessing by crossing your hands across your chest.

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The Church teaches that we should be in a “state of grace” to receive Holy Communion. This means that it’s a good idea to go to Confession if it’s been a while since you last went, or if you’ve got something weighing on your conscience. Confession isn’t as scary as you might think – for more information, take a look at our Confession information here.

 

Holy Communion is the source and summit of our Christian life. It strengthens us on our spiritual journey and in our everyday life. Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, but they may also receive Holy Communion every day if they are able and wish to.

 

If you are unable to get to Mass because of a disability or health condition, but would like to receive Holy Communion at home, please click here.

 

If you’d like to get involved at Mass – you might want to become a reader or an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, join the group of musicians, or something else, please click here.