How (and Why) to Return to Sunday Mass

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The first installment of the Register’s annual Advent guides to the Catholic faith. BY The Editors Invite Someone Catholics are very aware of the problems in the world — the financial crisis, terrorism, the attacks on life and the family. We are also very aware of the one source of peace: Christ. This Advent, the Register challenges each reader to do one thing: Invite someone back to Mass. Sunday Mass commitment transforms. All that is needed to save some souls is for someone to show courage and reach out. 1 It’s your way to relive the Last Supper. 2 When was the last time you prayed too much? 3 If you want to spend eternity with Christ, you need to get to know him now. 4 It’s the central, necessary activity of Christian worship (Luke 22:14-23; John 6:53; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). 5 It’s your best way to identify yourself with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. 6 Some of the greatest people in history were Massgoers (St. Francis, Blesseds Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II …). 7 Wise people invest money for the future. How much more should we invest in eternal life? 8 It has to be better for you than TV. 9 If you’ve been to confession, you get to receive Jesus Christ. If you find a better deal, do that instead. 10 If you knew Jesus would be somewhere, wouldn’t you go see him? 11 Guaranteed Bible readings. Countless lives have been changed by Scripture. Might yours? 12 Statistics say that people who go to church are less stressed. 13 It’s the best way to pray for your family and friends — and to cope with troubled times. 14 One out of Ten Commandments asks us to go to Mass every Sunday. 15 You’ll become a better person at Mass. The more you are a part of God’s life, the better you’ll be. 16 Life is complicated. Get directions that work — from the One who created life. 17 It’s your way to go most directly through Jesus Christ to God the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit in prayer. 18 Is one hour too much to give to God? How many do you spend on other priorities? Quick Tip 1 Be early. Would you come late to your wedding? (Women, don’t answer!) Quick Tip 2 Communion is open to all who are not conscious of committing a serious sin (anything from missing Sunday Mass to infidelity) since their last confession. Fast for one hour before Communion. Quick Tip 3 Forgotten what to do at Mass? You’ll remember. It’s like riding a bicycle! Follow the Mass closely with a helper: missalette, missal or Magnificat. Quick Tip 4 Bow your head as a sign of reverence before receiving Communion. Quick Tip 5 In prayer after Communion, make one resolution about how you’ll live your life differently. (Think back on the homily for ideas.) Quick Tip 6 Be well dressed. Would you come dressed for jogging if you were invited to the White House? Quick Tip 7 Feel alone or unsure at church? Bring a friend! Common ‘Good Excuses’ What’s in it for me? Everything! God desires only and always your good. He became a man in large part to give us himself in the Mass. Why should you deny yourself such a gift? I don’t need to go to Mass to get close to God. At Mass, you receive God himself — Jesus Christ truly present in the sacrament. Even a beautiful mountain vista can’t compare to that. I had a bad experience with the Church. This is always sad. But many of us also had bad teachers — and we know the whole education system isn’t bad. Jesus wants to bring you healing at Mass. I don’t get anything out of Mass. Don’t expect it to be entertainment. Learn about what it does: joins us to Christ, separates us from sin, wipes away venial sins, commits us to the poor and prepares us for heaven. I don’t have the time. There are 24 hours a day, 168 hours a week. Mass takes one hour. That’s less than 1% of your week. You have the time; find it. I’m a sinner. I don’t deserve to be at Mass. Welcome to the club! We are a Church of saved sinners. None of us deserves to be here. See you at the confessional … http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/the_fresh_old_school_of_character_education/