October 22, 2025

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

I believe that every time each of us, priest and people, participate together at a Holy Mass, we become a new person, more alive in the grace of the Lord. We leave church a completely different person to when we arrived. At each Mass, we spend a special time with the Lord; we simply must become holier, more God like. Let us consider, today, the special parts of the Mass that touch us.

Each time we enter the Church for Mass, we are in a special place, and it’s special time to be with the Lord. So, we begin Mass with a Penitential Rite. To prepare ourselves for participating in Mass, we stand before the Lord acknowledging our sinfulness. We turn to our God and seek the Lord’s compassion and forgiveness. Each Mass begins with this personal change. “Lord Jesus, I ask for reconciliation – I seek your forgiveness as I repent my sinfulness. Make me worthy to participate in this Mass and unite me with you, my Lord.”

Our Mass continues with the Liturgy of the Word. We listen and learn as Sacred Scriptures are read. We are called to become a new person through the Word of God.

Our Mass continues as we bring to the Lord all our intentions, those prayers we now remember at this Mass – our cares and concerns, our hopes and dreams, those for whom we have promised to pray. I like to think that these intentions are placed on the altar of the Lord. I always encourage people to pile their intentions high upon the altar. We become closer to the Lord as we pray for loved ones. I believe that during the Eucharist, the Lord Jesus, present on the altar, finds our intentions and recognizes these needs with love and compassion.

Our Mass continues with the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We all, priest and people, gathered around the altar with Jesus and the apostles – just like the Last Supper. It is a time during which we are transformed. The presence of our Lord brings the love and compassion of the Savior to transform each of us. I know that as a priest celebrant often at Mass, I am profoundly touched by the Lord Jesus, and I am renewed at each Mass. I believe that everyone with me at each Eucharist is touched also in a perfect and magnificent way. We are all made new and more alive in the Lord.

Our Mass continues with Holy Communion. What a perfect moment this is. Each one of us is united with our Lord and God through this Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist in a powerful unity. This wonderful sacrament transforms us. Each time we are led, we are guided, and we are ready to meet the challenges for a new day. We are well prepared.

So, you see why I believe that each one of us leaves Mass truly transformed – a new person, a new disciple of the Lord Jesus. This Holy Mass unites us with our God and with each other as we participated together at Mass. We are the People of God; we are ready to make our world better. At the final prayer of the Mass, we are challenged to go, we are told to go – go and make a difference. You have been with the Lord through this Mass and now you are a new person – a blessed disciple. God is with you. Do not be afraid.