• Here Is What You Will Encounter When You Join Us For Holy Mass

  Our Buildings and Grounds
  
  Entrances: The main entrance at any church will welcome you into the back of the church – the “narthex.” This is where you can pickup a bulletin after Mass, sign up for different roles, and see the flyers for things going on in the parish. 
  
  The Tabernacle: It is an appropriate sign of respect to bow or kneel upon entering church, and especially when passing the tabernacle. When the adjacent candle is lit, the tabernacle contains consecrated hosts which are the Body of Christ and, thus, the presence of God.
  
  Seating: Pews are laid out in rows facing the altar. At St. Ignatius this also includes pews on the left and right of the alter. You are welcome to sit anywhere.
  
  Fussy Babies: Babies and children of all ages are welcome! The quote goes, the church is dying if babies aren't crying. We want you to feel welcome to bring your whole family to Mass.
  
  Our Celebration of the Mass
  Our weekend services are the celebration of the Mass and include prayers, songs, readings from the Bible and a discussion of those readings. The Mass is very biblical; all its elements can be found in Scriptures. The form of the Mass can be traced back to the earliest years of the church.
  
  One-Hour Service: The celebration of Mass lasts from 55 to 65 minutes. While wish all could stay until the end of our celebration, some people do leave Mass early. You are encouraged to stay until the priest and other ministers process out of church.
  
  Who’s Up There? The priest is the principle celebrant of the Mass; he is acting "in persona Christi" - in the person of Christ. He is assisted by altar servers. Those people will be on the altar area of the church during the entire Mass. Selected members of the congregation will go to the altar area to proclaim those readings. The cantor will do the same for certain songs and sung prayers. Eucharistic ministers will gather around the altar before taking their distribution stations. The tabernacle houses reserved hosts which are the true Body of Christ and, as such, is to be respected as the presence of God.
  
  Sing Along: We encourage you to raise your voices to God in song. A cantor leads the congregation in song, as well as sung prayers, and a choir sings during certain times of the year. Accompanying instruments can include piano and organ and others on occasion.
  
  Guidebooks and Aids: If you are not familiar with the order of Mass, the books in the pew racks can guide you. 
  
  Kneeling and Standing: Our pews contain kneelers; we kneel during traditional kneeling times of the Mass; members of other religions and people with health problems may sit during the kneeling times. We believe kneeling is a sign of respect to God, and note the scriptural call that "At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend." We stand during the reading of the Gospel and at other times, such as during the recitation of the creed. If you are visiting from a church where kneeling is not common, you are welcome to sit during those times.
  
  Youth Mass: During the school year, youth from our parish participate in a special way at Mass at least once in each church, serving as lectors, ushers and greeters. 
  
  Collections/Offertory: Collection baskets are passed person-to-person down each pew. The collection is used to support the various ministries and operations of the church, including charitable outreach. Occasionally, a second collection will be taken for a missionary or some other need.
  
  Hand-shaking: After praying the Lord’s Prayer – the Our Father, we exchange a sign of peace. If you are not comfortable shaking hands for health reasons, a wave, nod or other gesture is appropriate.
  
  Bells Are Ringing: Occasionally, during the Eucharist Prayer, bells are rung at three ocassions to call attention to the sacred moments when the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ.
  
  Communion: Roman Catholics not in a state of serious sin, and members of the Eastern Orthodox churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church, are welcome to join us in Communion, but should follow the guidance of their own church. We use real wine, and — as Scriptures teach — believe the bread and wine to be totally transformed into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ.
  If you will not receive Communion, you are encouraged to join the Communion line with your arms crossed across your chest; the distributor will give you a blessing.
  At Communion time, ministers will bring the Body of Christ to various stations in the front of the church. We process from the pews to the distributor, and follow the practice of gently bowing before reverently receiving the Sacrament. The Body of Christ may be received in the hand or can be placed directly into your mouth. 
  
  What to Wear: We encourage respectful dress for Mass and other liturgies and services, but you will find people attired in shorts and t-shirts to suits and ties.
  
  Have a Question? If you ever have a question, you are welcome to talk to the priest after Mass, or contact the parish office. If you have a need during Mass, including a need for medical attention, an usher can assist you.