Liturgy 101 - A continuing series

I offer this continuing series in hope that it will be helpful in better understanding the Roman Catholic liturgy known as the Mass.

First of all, why do we call it the Mass?

The word comes from the Latin and means “to send”, or more precisely, “to have been sent”. The word mission has the same Latin root.
The Mass itself contains the elements of what we are sent to do:
• Publicly acknowledging our failings and our need to be reconciled with God.
• Praying with others, for those in need and the needs of the world
• Making peace with our neighbor
• Sharing God’s Word

We have been sent by the Holy Spirit to do the Father’s will, strengthened by the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.