Dear Parishioner:

The following is to inform you about the third edition of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. In accordance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, all parishes are called upon to implement the General Instruction by the beginning of Lent 2003. The goal is to help you become familiar with the minor changes that are in order.

Please note that while you may be accustomed to performing some other gestures or postures during the Mass, many of which may have come from past church practices or from individual preference, these are not in the General Instruction.

Upon entering the church, before getting into the pew, please genuflect towards the tabernacle on your right knee. (If unable to genuflect, please bow from the waist.)

A brief period of silence will be observed after each reading, the Gospel, and the homily so that the people may take the Word of God into their hearts.

Before the proclamation of the Gospel the faithful will make the sign of the cross, using their right thumb, on their forehead (mind), lips and heart.

During the Profession of Faith (Nicene Creed) while you are saying "by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man" please bow from the waist. On the solemnities of the Annunciation of the Lord and Christmas all kneel for these words.

During the Prayer Over the Gifts, the priest invites the people saying, "Pray, brothers and sisters..." and then the people stand before making their response, "May the Lord accept...”

The Eucharistic Prayer is the center of the whole Eucharistic celebration: the prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification. Through it, the priest invites the assembly to lift their hearts, and unites them with himself in the prayer he addresses to the Father.

Those parishioners who do not kneel (when on occasion prevented due to health needs, lack of space, large crowds, etc.) should make a profound bow when the priest genuflects after the consecration of both the bread and the wine.

During the recitation of the The Lord's Prayer, joining or elevating hands is not included in the General Instruction.

Before receiving Communion, the communicant gives a bow of the head as a sign of reverence before the sacrament. He/she should do this as the person in front of them is receiving communion. Genuflecting or kneeling is not appropriate at this time. Each communicant may choose whether to receive the body of Christ on the tongue or in the hand and should respond Amen, consuming the host before leaving the altar. If you choose to receive the Host in the hand, please recall the correct process, after your "Amen" if you are right-handed, the left hand is held out with palm up, fingers together, and supported underneath by the palm of the right hand. If you are left-handed, the right hand is held out, and the left hand supports it. Do not make the sign of the cross after consuming the host.

The faithful may sit or kneel during the period of silent prayer after communion. Please respect the need to remain in the pews until the recessional hymn has ended.