All Saint’s Church Liverpool

1. All Saint’s Church Liverpool BY KLARA, DANA, ASHLEIGH & ISABELLA

2. Liturgical Time • Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) • Fr. Remy • Fifth Sunday of Lent • Fr. Pierluigi

3. All Saints Church Liverpool 1838

4. Jwas not bothered as I preferred the earlier session of the mass, felt anxious as I have not attended All Saints for about 7years, didn’t know what to expect from people who attended the mass - Dana Not welcomed in the Church or a part of the community because of the many different types of people, people I don’t know – different to my regular Church as we all know each other. - Klara OUR PRESUPPOSITIONS This is my local parish and I attend mass every Sunday, during the 5pm Youth Mass. I was expecting to know the songs and be able to join in with the music. However, although the choir sang beautifully in unison, the songs were completely different and the sopranos were so loud it was a little overwhelming and many could not join in. Also, there were many distractions as it was a family mass and the urgency of people to leave mass right after the Eucharist, did not create a feeling of welcome. - Isabella I am extremely tired from the night before so I am not really keen to sit in mass for an hour. I haven't been to church in a while so I cant even remember what to wear and what would be appropriate. The weather is really hot today and I would much rather be at the beach rather than church. - Ashleigh

5. Physical space/environment in which the ritual occurs • The altar is directly in the center of the church. The tabernacle is directly behind the altar which is also in the center of the church and is clearly visible to all of the congregation. There are 6 candles on the altar - 3 on each side and the priest stands in the middle. There is purple curtains and decoration in the altar space to commemorate the season of lent. The reading post is to the right of the altar (congregation view) and is under the screen which displays the readings and sings so that everyone can participate. The priest utilises the liturgical space well and moves around especially when he conducts the homily and the space is used as he walked through the main isle and interacted with the congregation. There is a large statue of Jesus behind the altar at height and watches over the altar space.

6. The altar servers are located to the left of the altar out of the way which does not distract the congregation. They are not too close to he altar but are still in reach to quickly assist the priest and serve. The band and singers are located to the bottom right of the altar and are out if the way but are still loud enough and are not distracting as they are not clearly visual to most of the congregation therefore they do not focus solely on the band during songs and hyms. The readers are also seated in the first row so that when walking up to the altar to the reading stand they do not cross paths and walk through isles distracting other lay people and making noise. There is very minimal distractions as everything is simply and neatly placed so that the sole focus of the mass is the priest and The Lord which is served on June altar. It is very easy to become distrusted in mass so therefore it was good to see that distractions were minimised.

7. The congregation location was excellent. The church wasn't too big so all the seats were placed in a way that everyone could see the altar and the priest therefore could see everything that was happening including readers and tv screen. Even when seated at the back of the church, your views were clear and you could see everything which gave a communal feel and made you want to participate more.

8. Symbols/Signs & Metaphors • Used in the church’s liturgy to provide us with a great opportunity for reflection on the mystery of our faith. • Objects transformed into the gift of God’s grace and presence with us, and we too are transformed into images of Christ.

9. Symbol: Bread & Wine • Christ’s Body and Blood. • When we eat this Bread and drink from the cup we share the very life of Jesus himself and open ourselves to living and loving as he did. • Gifts of bread and wine are brought to the altar in both Masses. • According to the GIRM the priest should wash’s his hands at the side of the altar – This did not happen in ether Mass. • Eucharistic Prayer done according to the GIRM. • Both bread & wine offered to the congregation. • Bread was feed to those who couldn’t hold it such as mothers that were carrying their children.

10. Metaphor: Candles • Sign of reverence and festiveness and represent Christ as the light of the world. • GIRM: “two, four or six candles may be placed near or upon the altar, seven may be used if the diocesan bishop celebrates Mass though should not  obstruct the view of the ritual action on the altar or what is placed upon it”.

11. Metaphor: Candles

12. Metaphor: Candles • As the Second Vatican Council's dogmatic constitution Dei Verbum points out, these liturgical honors also establish a certain parallel with the honors attributed to the Blessed Sacrament, which is also accompanied by lighted torches and incense. This serves to underline the particular real presence of Christ in the liturgical proclamation of the Word, though without detriment to the unique nature of the substantial real presence of the Eucharist.

13. Sign & Symbol: Crucifix • Suspended directly above the tabernacle, on the wall behind the alter.  • Is a reminder and a sign that the Eucharistic celebration is the same sacrifice as Calvary. • The crucifix is obligatory according to the Roman Missal. • Roman Missal states it is a “figure of Christ crucified upon it, either on the altar or near it, where it is clearly visible to the assembled congregation and in general there only should be one in the alter area”.

14. Music/Silence/Sound

15. Introductory rite - Entrance chant as the priest enters. After the first reading – Christ our saviour is sung. Followed by the gospel of the Lord – Response is then sung

16. HOMILY • There was no silence, sounds from outside the church were coming into the church (e.g.; cars, yelling, traffic light sounds) • Surrounded my children who were making so much sounds. • Speakers at the back were not loud enough, had no idea what it was about, also the people around me seemed to have lost track and did not understand. • The Girm states that the homily should be an explanation of an aspect from a sacred scripture. As without any evidence of what was said as I was not able to hear. • There was also no silence between the homily and the liturgy of the Eucharist, The Girm states : It is appropriate for a brief period of silence to be observed after • the Homily.

17. The Liturgy of the Eucharist and Communion • During the procession of the gifts a chant is sung. Followed was the Eucharist prayer (Thanksgiving) followed by the acclamation this is where the congregation sings (Holy, Holy, Holy) • This was mentioned in the Girm and was followed correctly by the Priest. • Silence ( until the Priest finishes the Eucharistic prayer. • The lord’s prayer is then Read out loud with the congregation. • GIRM: priest prays quietly to bless the bread and wine which represents the body of our Lord. • Mass: Priest Sings it out loud with the rest of the congregation followed by AMEN (Sung)

18. Girm: A chant is to be sung whilst Priest is receiving the sacrament. ( nothing was identified during the mass) • After the sign of peace – Lamb of God is then sung. • Continued with a silence while congregation receives the offerings. After 3 minutes Piano begins the play followed by a chant sung by the choir (Hungry Hungry Heart) GIRM: After communion they praise God in their own hearts and pray to Him. (There was no silence and a huge distraction from the music and children around me which did not allow me to have that 1 minute of silence to myself)

19. Concluding rite OVERALL • As the priest was leaving a chant was sung, People were leaving before the priest managed to turn around. • In the GIRM it has the importance of singing • Singing is the • sign of the heart’s joy (cf. Acts 2:46 • this basically means all should be singing as one community. Many of the congregation that I was surrounded by had no involvement, why attend mass if your not going to contribute? This may seem to not bother many people but gathering as one community for people like myself the church felt quiet and very unwelcoming as you pick up the vibe from the people around you, they seem to not care and stand around in silence instead of celebrated the life the Lord has given us.

20. Vesture, Gesture, Posture

21. Vesture • Vesture: a covering garment • Laetare: means ‘to rejoice’ Stole Rose Robe (Chausuble) Alb Purple Robe (Chausbule)

22. Vesture • According to the GIRM… • 337. ‘The vestment proper to the priest celebrant at Mass and other sacred actions directly connected with Mass is, unless otherwise indicated, the chasuble, worn over the alb and stole.’ • ‘Violet or purple is used in Advent and Lent. It may also be worn in Offices and Masses for the Dead (cf. below).’ • ‘Rose may be used, where it is the practice, on Gaudete Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent) and on Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent).’

23. Gesture • Gesture: a movement of part of the body, esp. a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning. • ‘The gestures and bodily posture of both the Priest, the Deacon, and the ministers, and also of the people, must be conducive to making the entire celebration resplendent with beauty and noble simplicity, to making clear the true and full meaning of its different parts, and to fostering the participation of all.’ 52 (GIRM) • During the Greeting, the Priest opened his arms as a profound gesture, to welcome the faithful and is a sign of community and inclusion.

24. Gesture: Sign of the Cross • Why do we do this? • Signature of Faith • A reminder of Christ’s sacrifice - died on the Cross • A profession of faith in the Trinity (Father, Son and the Holy Spirit)

25. Gesture: Sign of the Cross • When do we do this? • The Sign of the Cross occurs four times, during mass • 1. Before we enter the Church, we dip our fingers in Holy Water from the stoup and make the sign of the cross. These stoups are located at the main entrance of All Saints church and the side entrance. We do this gesture with Holy Water as a reminder of our baptismal promise. • 2. After the conclusion of the Entrance Hymn; before the priest makes the Lord’s presence known through the greeting. The priest begins with “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” and the assembly reply with “Amen”.

26. Gesture: Sign of the Cross • 3. Before the reading of the Gospel: • There was no deacon so Fr. Remy carried the Gospel to the ambo. • The priest will say: “A reading of the Gospel according to…” • The Priest traces a small but intended sign of the cross with his thumb, on the Evangeliary, the crest of the head, the lips and chest. • The assembly responds with: “Glory to you, Lord” and follow by making a sign of the cross on the head, lips and chest. The reason why we do this is that we are reminding ourselves "May the Gospel be on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart." We are asking God to help us to always remember the Gospel message, to proclaim it, and most importantly to live it through action. • 4. Concluding Rites • The priest extends his arms and the faithful bow their heads for the final blessing. Now that the Eucharist has been distributed, the priest places his left hand on his chest and raises his right arm to make the sign of the cross over the assembly. As this is done, the assembly follow and also make the sign of the cross head to chest and shoulder to shoulder.

27. Gesture: The Gospel • After the conclusion of the Gospel, the Evangeliary was taken out through the side door of the church by those adults, preparing for Baptism. Not sure if supposed to happen?

28. Gesture: Sign of Peace • 82. The Rite of Peace follows, by which the Church asks for peace and unity for herself and for the whole human family, and the faithful express to each other their ecclesial communion and mutual charity before communicating in the Sacrament. • As for the sign of peace to be given, the manner is to be established by Conferences of Bishops in accordance with the culture and customs of the peoples. It is, however, appropriate that each person offer the sign of peace only to those who are nearest and in a sober manner.

29. Gesture: The Fraction • 83. The priest breaks the Eucharistic Bread, assisted, if the case calls for it, by the deacon or a concelebrant. Christ’s gesture of breaking bread at the Last Supper, which gave the entire Eucharistic Action its name in apostolic times, signifies that the many faithful are made one body (1 Cor 10:17) • This was done with reference by both priests, however during the first mass, Fr. Remy was shaking the Eucharist. Could not focus because it kept moving.

30. Posture • Posture: aposition of a person's body when standing or sitting • - The gestures and bodily posture of the faithful (cf. no. 43) • “A common posture, to be observed by all participants, is a sign of the unity of the members of the Christian community gathered for the sacred Liturgy: it both expresses and fosters the intention and spiritual attitude of the participants. 43”

31. Posture: Standing • Standing • Standing is a sign of respect and honor, so we stand as the celebrant (who represents Christ) enters and leaves the assembly. We also stand during the Gospel Proclaimation, Proffession of Faith, Prayers of the Faithful, Invitation (Pray Bretheren), Before Prayer over the Offerings. This is a reference to the Bible which says it is a posture for those: risen with Christ and seek the things that are above (cf. Col 3:1)

32. Posture: Kneeling • Kneeling • Is a sign of adoration, humility and acknowledgement that we all sin and are asking for forgiveness. • During the Confiteor, the action of striking our breast at the words "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault” strengthens our awareness that we sin but that we are also asking for forgiveness and choose to be Reconciled with God. • This was done by both Fr. Remy and Fr. Pierluigi successfully.

33. Posture: Genuflect • Genuflection occurs: After the elevation of the Host, Elevation of the chalice and before receiving Communion. • During the consecration, both priests elevated the host, genuflected and kissed the altar, which was done accordingly to the GIRM.

34. Gesture: Bow 275. A bow signifies reverence and honor shown to the persons themselves or to the signs that represent them. There are two kinds of bows: a bow of the head and a bow of the body (profound). Profession of Faith • During the Profession of faith, majority of the assembly did not bow their heads. The Roman Missal states: “At the words that follow, up to and including and became man, all bow”. • a) A bow of the head is made when the three Divine Persons are named together and at the names of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the Saint in whose honour Mass is being celebrated.

35. Posture: Homily Homily • During the Homily on Laetare Sunday, Fr. Remy walked down the the front steps of the altar and between the center isle. He asked the assembly questions and this dialogue and presence created a more personal relationship and made myself feel included. • However, there were children crying during the Homily which was frustrating and did not allow the assembly to hear fully, what the priest had to say.

36. Posture: Lord’s Prayer • When saying the Lord’s Prayer during the first mass, no one held hands and those participating seemed un-lively and did not seem to truly focus on the words (out of habit). However, during the second mass I sat behind the choir and those in the choir opened their arms and held each other’s hands as a sign of humbleness and openness to God, and also as a sign of unity. This was a nice surprise from the first mass and felt familiar, for we also do this during the 5pm youth mass.

37. Posture: Communion • [122] Moreover, benches or chairs should be arranged, especially in newly built churches, in such a way that the people can easily take up the postures required for the different parts of the celebration and can easily come forward to receive Holy Communion (GIRM). • During the first mass, our group was located at the back of the church on the left hand side. The majority of the assembly at the back of the church, seemed restless and did not show intention of wanting to fully participant in the liturgy. Some were sleeping, a baby was crying during the Homily and one woman even left, straight after communion. This completely disrupted the liturgy and because she left so abruptly, it did not make myself want to stay either. • Also, instead of waiting patiently pew-by-pew to receive communion, one lady rushed right up to receive communion.

38. Overall Success/ Failure