Field visit: Join a Catholic Mass
Date: Oct 5, 2019 (Sat)
Time: 5.30 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.
Address: 1 Star Street,Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Quota per visit: 30
Time: 5.30 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.
Address: 1 Star Street,Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Quota per visit: 30
Programme and remarks
5.30 p.m. -6.30 p.m. Presentation on the practice and meaning of mass by Fr Thomas Law
6.30 p.m. -7.00 p.m. Joining a mass
7.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. Interaction and Q&A
You can have the chance to experience the liturgy of a mass inside a beautiful, peaceful Catholic church. Try to take note of what you feel and observe.
5.30 p.m. -6.30 p.m. Presentation on the practice and meaning of mass by Fr Thomas Law
6.30 p.m. -7.00 p.m. Joining a mass
7.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. Interaction and Q&A
You can have the chance to experience the liturgy of a mass inside a beautiful, peaceful Catholic church. Try to take note of what you feel and observe.
The Cross, photo retrieved from the website of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
A brief introduction
Browse their website you can find a very faithful and enduring past of the church:
Wan Chai residents were mostly poor people. They saved every cent to donate to the construction fund. They were like the poor widow in the Bible, giving all they had. In 1939, a man of faith, Mr Wong, bought a piece of land for the church to be built. In 1940, Bishop Valtorta launched a fund raising campaign which was supported by other parishes, schools and associations. In 1948, the construction plan was approved by the government but only half of the money required had been raised. Bishop Valtorta decided that the diocese would pay the remaining sum. At the end of February 1949, construction work began. Parishioners continued to raise money for the fixtures and decorations. The new church was finally opened in 1950 on 16 July, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, with Mass celebrated by Father Thomas Ryan, Superior of the Hong Kong Jesuits and the parish priest, Father James Zilioli. The church was named "Holy Souls Church."
[...] In 1957, the church was renamed “Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church”. [...] In 1990s, the diocese sold the church and the lot and the proceeds were used for the development of other parishes. The church was rebuilt inside the new building on the same site. The new church was officially opened on 10 November, 2001 by Bishop John Baptist Wu.
Wan Chai residents were mostly poor people. They saved every cent to donate to the construction fund. They were like the poor widow in the Bible, giving all they had. In 1939, a man of faith, Mr Wong, bought a piece of land for the church to be built. In 1940, Bishop Valtorta launched a fund raising campaign which was supported by other parishes, schools and associations. In 1948, the construction plan was approved by the government but only half of the money required had been raised. Bishop Valtorta decided that the diocese would pay the remaining sum. At the end of February 1949, construction work began. Parishioners continued to raise money for the fixtures and decorations. The new church was finally opened in 1950 on 16 July, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, with Mass celebrated by Father Thomas Ryan, Superior of the Hong Kong Jesuits and the parish priest, Father James Zilioli. The church was named "Holy Souls Church."
[...] In 1957, the church was renamed “Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church”. [...] In 1990s, the diocese sold the church and the lot and the proceeds were used for the development of other parishes. The church was rebuilt inside the new building on the same site. The new church was officially opened on 10 November, 2001 by Bishop John Baptist Wu.
YouTube clip uploaded by the church: Palm Sunday Procession, March 25, 2018
Baptism in the night of Easter Vigil, photo retrieved from the website of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
Experience a Catholic Mass
YouTube clip: "What is the Holy Eucharist?" uploaded by TheoMatters
In the visit you can experience a Catholic Mass in English. The spiritual practices in a Catholic mass remind the community of the blessings of Jesus Christ bestowed upon the people on earth. It is a sacred gathering where people receive Eucharist, symbolised by bread (the body of Christ) and wine (the blood of Christ). If you are not a Christian, you are not allowed to take Eucharist. But we can take the opportunity to observe the practices. We can follow the community members, open a book of prayers placed in front of you (check the benches), and read out the prayer lines correspondingly. According to Missale Romanum published by authority of Pope Paul VI, the "Order of Mass" consists of a basic structure of four parts (you can find more information at Catholic Resources).
- Introductory Rites. The Priest greets the audience, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And then, he sprinkles holy water to remind the mass attendance their baptism and faithfulness to the Spirit. The Priest then announces, "May almighty God cleans us of our sins, and through the eucharist we celebrate make us worthy to sit at his table in his heavenly kingdom." The first part ends with an opening prayer by the Priest, responded by the mass "Amen."
- Liturgy of the Word. The Lector reads out a selected passage from the Holy Bible (or Letter, or Acts) and announces, "The Word of the Lord." The mass responds, "Thanks be to God!" It may then be followed by an Alleluia/Gospel Acclamation. Afterwards, it is the session of "Homily" where the Bishop, Priest or Deacon speaks to the people, focusing on the day's scriptures. Everyone may then recite the Nicene Creed:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
[bow during the next two lines:]
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered, died, and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen. - Liturgy of the Eucharist. The session opens with the presentation of the gits or preparation of the altar where the Priest announces, "Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life." The Priest continues to offer wine, "Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink." The mass responds, "Blessed be God for ever." The mass proceeds towards "Eucharistic Prayer" concluded by a memorial acclamation where the Priest says, "Let us proclaim the mystery of faith." The mass may reply,
Option A: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Option B: Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.
Option C: When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.
Option D: Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free. You are the Savior of the World.
The session ends with "Doxology and Great Amen" where the Priest says, "Through him, with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is your, almighty Father, for ever and ever." The mass responds, "Amen!" - Communion Rite. It begins with "Lord's Prayer" where everyone prays, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Given us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." An important part of the rite is "Breaking of the Bread." The mass prays, "Lam of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace."
The consecrated bread and consecrated wine constitute the communion which respectively symbolises the "body of Christ" and "blood of Christ." Before distribution, the Priest announces, "This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper." Everyone responds, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed." People then receive the bread and wine solemnly in their hands. Followed by several prayer sessions, the mass finally ends with the dismissal lines. The Deacon or Priest may say, "Go in the peace of Christ," or "The Mass is ended, go in peace," or "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord." At the very end, the mass responds, "Thanks be to God!"
References
Website of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Wan Chai: https://www.olmcchurch.org.hk/
About the Order of Mass, visit Catholic Resources: http://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm
About the Order of Mass, visit Catholic Resources: http://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm