St. John's Catholic Church (M.AC. in E. Lansing) for example has daily mass. When observing the mass and interviewing church staff, I realized that mass is a constant step by step process. When entering the church, the organizations of mass are (1) standing and singing in the hymn to start mass in session. The act of standing is a sign of respect for the celebrant and the ministers in the entrance procession, as well as a posture of one who is active and attentive. (2) The sign of the cross, Our first statement of faith is to invoke the name of the Trinity and to place the Cross-of Christ on our bodies. (3) The greeting, echoing the words of Paul, this also invokes the Trinity. (4) The Penitential Rite, the Church is a hospital for sinners not a rest home for saints. (5) The Gloria, once the celebrant pronounces the words of absolution, the ancient hymn of praise to God is sung as a way to thank God for his mercy. (6) The opening prayer or collect, the prayer of the celebrant collects all the prayers of the assembly and offers them to the Father. (7) The first reading is usually from the Old Testament. Here we hear the story of how God established a covenant with His people and prepared the way for the Messiah. (8) The responsorial psalm is a further response to the first reading. It also usually has a similar theme to the gospel. (9) The second reading is from the New Testament and reveals how the early Church understood the gospel message. (10) The gospel contains the words of Christ, and so we stand. As the gospel of the day is introduced, one make a small sign of the cross on ones forehead then on ones lips and finally on ones hearts. (11) The homily explains the readings of the day and applies them to everyday life. (12) The profession of faith, is usually the recitation of the Nicene Creed. (13) The general intercessions, praying for the Church, civil leaders, special needs of the parish community and for the dead.
