The "Liturgical Minutes" below provide a brief explanation of an aspect of our worship: Book of the Gospels Communion Procession Communion Song Distribution of the Eucharist Eucharist or Mass as Sacrifice Feast of the Dedication of Lateran Basilica in Rome Preparation for Communion Preparation of Table or Gifts Receiving Communion is a Commitment Receiving in the Hand Receiving on the Tongue Receiving the Body of Christ Receiving the Eucharist Receiving the Sacred Body and the Sacred Blood Reverent Reception of Holy Communion Sprinkling Rite What draws people to our parish and keeps them coming?

Subject	Description
Book of the Gospels	Today our Liturgical Minute is on the Book of the Gospels which is displayed in front of the Ambo. Formal liturgical books containing readings from Sacred Scripture have been common in the church from the time of Gregory the Great, around the 9th century. The gospels were collected in a large book with an ornate cover, often illustrated and adorned with icons and jewels. Today every effort is made to assure that the Scriptures are bound in books which are worthy, dignified and beautiful. The book of the Gospels is a sign of the presence of Jesus, in God’s word proclaimed. In the Gathering Procession, it is carried in by the Lector, held high, and placed on the altar, symbolizing the importance of the presence of Christ in word and sacrament. During the singing of the Alleluia, the book of the Gospels is carried by the deacon and held high, so the entire assembly may see. On special days, we use incense to honor this Word of God. After the homily, the Breaking Open of the Word of God, the Presider closes the Book of the Gospels and enthrones it on the Ambo. You are invited to see more closely this Book of the Gospels in our Eucharistic Chapel. The Book is always open to the Sunday Gospel and the art work contained in this book is quite simple, yet compellingly beautiful.
Communion Procession	Have you ever thought about it that way? That coming up to receive the Body and Blood of Christ is a procession? That is what it’s called. It’s not just getting in line to receive for oneself, but a procession up together in communion with one another. While you are receiving the rest of the community is singing in prayer song for you. And while the rest of the community is receiving, you are singing in prayer for them. We are all in this together. Let your voice be heard!!!!
Communion Song (Part I)	During our communion procession, a prayer song is sung. The song is to emphasize the unity (communion) of the people with one another as well as with Jesus. And remember, while you are receiving, the rest of the community is singing in prayer song for you. And while the rest of the community is receiving, you are singing a prayer song for them. We are all in this together. Let your voice be heard!!!
Communion Song (Part II)	The communion song begins when the presider receives the Body and Blood of Christ and continues until all have received. This is to unify the action of communion. It is not supposed to be the priest’s communion and then the assembly’s communion, but the communion of all the Body of Christ together. Let your voice be heard!!!
Communion Song (Part III)	The communion song begins when the presider receives the Body and Blood of Christ and continues until all have received. This is to unify the action of communion. It is not supposed to be the priest’s communion and then the assembly’s communion, but the communion of all the Body of Christ together. Let your voice be heard!!!
Distribution of the Eucharist	The text which is used in distributing the Eucharist is “The Body of Christ,” and “The Blood of Christ.” This is deliberately ambiguous and refers both to the consecrated bread being distributed and to the person receiving it. Let us ponder this! Where does it bring you?
Eucharist or Mass as Sacrifice	Jesus is seen and sees himself as the lamb or sacrifice that replaces the sacrifices of the old law. He subjects himself to suffering and death on the cross and, in doing this, he brings about the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God. He does this once and for all time because his sacrifice, as the Savior and Son of God, is the complete and perfect sacrifice. How and why is the Eucharist a sacrifice? The night before sacrificing himself on Calvary, Jesus gave us a way to recall and relive this. While at supper, he took bread and said, “This is my body which will be given up for you.” Then he took the cup of wine and said, “This is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.” With these words and this mandate, Jesus gives us a way to remember and make present once again the same sacrifice that he offered on the cross. Obviously, this sacrifice today is different, in that it is now under the forms of bread and wine. That is why we call it a sacrament – a sacramental sacrifice. It is not a new sacrifice, but is the same sacrifice of Jesus himself. We make it present again, as Jesus directed, so that the reconciliation and relationship with God that Jesus has accomplished will be made more and more real within and among us. Perhaps the words of Eucharistic Prayer IV express this best: “Lord, look upon this sacrifice which you have given to your Church; and by your Holy Spirit gather all who share this one bread and one cup into the one body of Christ, a living sacrifice of praise.” The idea is that Jesus has done his part. What remains to be done is for us to make a sacrifice of ourselves for God and for one another – “a living sacrifice of praise.”
Feast of the Dedication of Lateran Basilica in Rome	The feast celebrated on November 9th commemorates the dedication of St. John Lateran in Rome which is the mother of all churches in Rome. The cathedral dedicated to both St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist is the cathedral of the Pope as bishop of Rome. Here in Baltimore, Mary our Queen is the cathedral church of Archbishop O’Brien as bishop of Baltimore. Every church has an anniversary to celebrate the dedication of its building. Today we recall the dedication of our own church, St. Francis de Sales. Candles glow just as they did when the bishop anointed these walls with holy oil. As we look around this holy place, we realize that we are more than just a special building, but that we are also a community of faith-filled people, and a temple of God’s Spirit.
Preparation for Communion	The presider has a brief prayer which he says before receiving Communion. This is a private prayer and is to be said inaudibly. During this time the people also continue their personal preparation for Communion as we sing the Communion Processional Song. All our voices together praying for each other as we receive the Body and Blood of Christ! Let us sing with full voice.
Preparation of Table or Gifts	Immediately after the General Intercessions or Prayer of the Faithful, we begin the second major part of the Mass: the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We begin this with the preparation of the altar or table. We carry bread and wine ceremonially, in a procession to the altar. These are ordinary, basic things, representing the basics of our lives. At this time, we also take a collection and bring our money to the altar along with the bread and wine. This means more than just giving enough dollars to pay the parish bills. Our financial offerings also represent our willingness to offer our lives and ourselves to God. Just as the bread is in one bowl and the wine in one flagon, so our offerings of money are also in one basket. In this way, the bread and wine and money are bound together as one offering. As we bring them, in truth we bring ourselves to the one altar and prepare to eat of the one bread, to drink of the one cup and to live the one life of God. When the table is ready, we stand with the presider who bids us to “Lift up our hearts.” We respond: “We lift them up to the Lord.” In the very next words, the presider calls us to that action which is at the heart of the liturgy and the entire Christian life: “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.” We respond, “It is right to give God thanks and praise.” Our word Eucharist comes directly from the Greek word that means “to give thanks.” So, our assertion that “It is right to give God thanks and praise” means that all is now ready and prepared to begin the celebration of the Eucharist.
Receiving Communion is a Commitment	It is a wonderful mystery that in receiving the Body of Christ, we receive what we are. It is likewise a responsibility – to be the Body of Christ to others. It is a challenge, a source of reflection, and a humbling thought. Think of what is means when we say, “Amen,” “it is so”, when the minister says, “Body of Christ”. It is a profession of faith and a promise.
Receiving in the Hand	One of the values of receiving in the hand is that it is a more active participation. It returns to the practice of the early Church, when the celebration of Eucharist held more emphasis as a meal. It is more in keeping with the adult practice of feeding oneself, rather than being fed as children.
Receiving on the Tongue	Receiving on the tongue grew from the time when the emphasis on unworthiness dictated that no one except the priest could touch the host. This changed the theology of the Eucharist considerably from the early Church, where the reception of Eucharist still resembled a meal.
Receiving the Body of Christ	Although some continue to receive on the tongue, common practice is to approach with one hand cupping the other, both with palms up. This is a gesture of supplication and receptivity, of asking to receive and of being open to receiving.
Receiving the Eucharist	Our response to “The Body of Christ” and “The Blood of Christ” is “Amen!” This is a sign of our assent to the true nature of what is being received and to who we are as well. It is a statement of agreement and of faith and should be enthusiastically affirmative. Say “Amen”, like you believe it!
Receiving the Sacred Bread and the Sacred Blood	Although we believe that Christ is truly and totally present in both the consecrated bread and the consecrated wine, the fullness of the sign is receiving both. Christ said, “Take and eat,” and “take and drink.” The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states: “The sign of communion is more complete when given under both kinds, since in that form the sign of the Eucharistic meal appears more clearly.”
Reverent Reception of Holy Communion	As we approach in humility to receive Holy Communion, we recognize what we receive and who we are to become. We approach in reverence, placing one hand on top of the other, and say the “Amen” with conviction and energy. We reverently take the host with the other hand and place it in our mouths as nourishment for our spirits. Likewise we take the cup with both hands, drink slowly, and carefully return the cup to the minister. Our actions and spoken words show the importance of what we do.
Sprinkling Rite	Water is one of the four elements of creation. Water gives life to human beings, plants, animals and everything. To be immersed in water is to be enlivened. So, too, at our Baptism we were immersed in water or water was poured on us – baptizing us in the name of God, the Creator, Jesus, the Redeemer and the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier. We celebrate the Rite of Sprinkling during the Easter Season. First, we renew our Baptismal Promises each week, professing that we in fact do believe in God, the Creator of all that is living. We profess that we believe in Jesus who suffered, died, rose from the dead and gives us the hope of resurrection. And we profess that we believe in the Holy Spirit who guides us on this earth and leads us to life eternal. After these professions, we are sprinkled with baptismal water. In this life-giving water, we were initiated into the church community; we became children of God and brothers and sisters in Christ. The song we sing during this Sprinkling Rite is River of Glory. May we sing it today with full voice in the knowledge that we are “bathed in the glory of God.”
What draws people to our parish and keeps them coming?	Some say it’s first of all the parishioners and their willingness to reach out to newcomers and visitors. Then others say the music and homilies. When asked why people attend a particular parish, most often the response is that it is warm and friendly and made them feel welcome. Please welcome a new face today!!!!!