Holy
Angels Catholic Church
Order of Worship
Order of Worship
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The
Catholic mass consists of many parts. Several of the main parts
of this "liturgy' or worship ritual will be illustrated in the following
pages of pictures and explanations. The photographs and text in this online
"album" provide an outline of some of the key parts of this
worship experience.
In this view the priest is in the center, behind the altar, which serves as the sacramental meal table for the congregation. On either side are eucharistic ministers who will assist the priest at various times during the mass. Together with additional lay ministers, they will also help distribute Holy Communion at that part of the mass. On the extreme right and left behind the altar are lay readers who will read specific Old and New Testament scriptures at each mass.
In our church, Holy Angels Gospel Choir occupies a space just below the altar and to the left. The choir sings at both Sunday services and at major holy days and other special occasions. The congregation is specifically invited to sing along at several points in the service.
The central feature behind the altar, in addiiton to the crucifix on the right, is a unique tapestry. the style is modern and suggestive of a multicultural last supper. Throughout much of the church, decor is Afrocentric, to includes African themed cloths, African prints of Mary and child Jesus to the left, and of the Ascension of Jesus into heaven on the right. The gold color box below the painting on the right is the tabernacle, where bread which has been consecrated into the Body of Christ is securely and reverently kept between services.
The priest's robe, and sometimes other cloths or accents around the altar, take on colors which are "liturgical" for a season. In these photographs, the priest's robes are green, a sign of life and hope, appropriate to ordinary time. During other seasons of the year, colors may include purple (penance), gold or white (special holy days), red (Good Friday and Palm Sunday) and so on.
In this view the priest is in the center, behind the altar, which serves as the sacramental meal table for the congregation. On either side are eucharistic ministers who will assist the priest at various times during the mass. Together with additional lay ministers, they will also help distribute Holy Communion at that part of the mass. On the extreme right and left behind the altar are lay readers who will read specific Old and New Testament scriptures at each mass.
In our church, Holy Angels Gospel Choir occupies a space just below the altar and to the left. The choir sings at both Sunday services and at major holy days and other special occasions. The congregation is specifically invited to sing along at several points in the service.
The central feature behind the altar, in addiiton to the crucifix on the right, is a unique tapestry. the style is modern and suggestive of a multicultural last supper. Throughout much of the church, decor is Afrocentric, to includes African themed cloths, African prints of Mary and child Jesus to the left, and of the Ascension of Jesus into heaven on the right. The gold color box below the painting on the right is the tabernacle, where bread which has been consecrated into the Body of Christ is securely and reverently kept between services.
The priest's robe, and sometimes other cloths or accents around the altar, take on colors which are "liturgical" for a season. In these photographs, the priest's robes are green, a sign of life and hope, appropriate to ordinary time. During other seasons of the year, colors may include purple (penance), gold or white (special holy days), red (Good Friday and Palm Sunday) and so on.