Becoming One Body: How the Mass Begins

The Mass does not begin when the priest reaches the altar. It starts at the moment we walk through the church doors and even before, as we prepare our hearts at home. The entrance procession gathers us into one body and prepares us to hear God’s word and receive His Body and Blood. Those who process in, the altar servers, the deacons, and finally the priest in persona Christi, do so on behalf of the whole assembly, because the liturgy is always the action of the whole Church.

The entrance procession is rich with meaning. The crucifix, the cross bearing the body of Christ, leads the way, inviting all to follow him to the altar of sacrifice and resurrection. Two candle bearers follow, and their flames symbolize the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. Most significantly, the Book of the Gospel is carried with dignity and reverence, held high for all to see. This is not just any book. Every word IS Christ. As John 1:1 states: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” When the deacon or lector carries the Book of the Gospel in procession, they carry Christ Himself.

As the procession moves through the church, we sing the gathering song. This is the first time in the Mass where the assembly joins as one voice. It is the sound of all people gathered by the Lord from different parts of the community, with all their joys and burdens, united in one act of worship. Even if you think you cannot sing, your voice matters. Saint Paul reminds us that every part of the Body is important (1 Cor. 12). The Church needs to hear you praising God.

At the end of the procession, the priest reverences the altar with a kiss. This ancient gesture shows honor to the sacrifice of Christ so that we may have eternal life. These opening moments—the procession, the reverence, the gathering song—transform us from a group of individuals into the Body of Christ, united in worship.

This week, pay attention to how the Mass begins. Notice the crucifix, the candles, and the Book of the Gospel. Join in the entrance song with full voice. Feel yourself becoming part of something much larger than yourself—the family of God, gathered at the table of the Lord.

Say hello to our new Young Adult Minister, Natalie To. 

She will be collaborating with Father Marty to create opportunities for……….. evangelization, prayer, spiritual formation, and leadership within the young adult community, serving both their peers and the wider MHT community.

Natalie is a seasoned young adult leader with over 15 years of experience in youth and young adult ministry. She brings experience in teaching, retreats and a strong foundation in Ignatian Spirituality. Currently, she is the music teacher/choir director at St. Martin of Tours School. Natalie also serves in the choir at various parishes throughout the diocese. Outside of church, she enjoys performing in community theatre and spending time with her daughter. 

We are blessed to welcome her as part of our ongoing commitment to support the young adult community, in response to parish feedback and our pastoral plan priorities.

At Most Holy Trinity School, we are proud to provide an excellent Catholic education that nurtures faith, fosters academic excellence, and builds a foundation for lifelong learning and servant leadership. Join our vibrant community where students grow spiritually, academically, and socially.

Financial aid is available to help make Catholic education accessible for all families. Ways to contact: Scan QR Code below, visit our website ww.mht.school or call our office 408-729-3431 for more information and to schedule a tour.

¡Inscripciones abiertas en nuestra Escuela de la Santísima Trinidad! 

· Aceptamos a niños desde TK hasta 8.º

· ¡Contamos con becas disponibles!

· Execellencia académica con valores católicos y calidez!        

·  

 Escanea el código QR para programar un tour o llama a nuestra oficina para más información.     (408) 729-3431

Đăng ký ngay cho năm học 2026-2027!

Tại Trường Most Holy Trinity, chúng tôi tự hào cung cấp nền giáo dục Công giáo tuyệt vời nuôi dưỡng đức tin, thúc đẩy sự xuất sắc trong học tập và xây dựng nền tảng cho việc học tập suốt đời và tinh thần lãnh đạo phục vụ. Hãy tham gia cộng đồng năng động của chúng tôi, nơi học sinh phát triển về mặt tinh thần, học tập và xã hội.Chúng tôi hiện đang chấp nhận đơn đăng ký cho năm học 2026-2027! Hỗ trợ tài chính có sẵn để giúp giáo dục Công giáo dễ tiếp cận hơn với tất cả các gia đình. Truy cập trang web của chúng tôi ww.mht.school hoặc gọi đến văn phòng của chúng tôi theo số 408-729-3431 để biết thêm thông tin và để lên lịch tham quan.

Subject: Stay Connected to Our Faith Family – Sign Up for Our Parish Newsletter, The Trinity Connection!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In our multicultural and vibrant parish, we are united by the love of Christ and the strength of our shared faith. As we continue to walk together on our spiritual journeys, it’s more important than ever that we stay connected, support one another, and grow in our understanding of God’s word.

Our parish newsletter is a powerful way to stay informed about upcoming Masses, celebrations, prayer opportunities, community events, and ways we can serve our brothers and sisters in need. By signing up, you’ll receive:

• Spiritual inspiration to strengthen your faith.
• Important parish updates about Mass schedules and special services.
• Opportunities to get involved in parish ministries and outreach programs.
• Community news and events that help us grow together as one family in Christ.

Joining our email list is a simple yet impactful way to remain connected with our faith community, no matter where life’s journey takes you. It’s also an easy way to share updates with family and friends, especially those who may be new to the parish or still feeling disconnected.

We invite you to sign up today! Click the link below to join our growing email list and receive our newsletter directly in your inbox.

Together, let us continue to strengthen our parish family, rooted in love, prayer, and service to one another. Thank you for being a part of this beautiful, diverse community.