From the Pastor's Desk October 13, 2024

Dear friends in the Lord,

Thanksgiving blessings to all!

Reflecting on the Mass, we look at the opening prayer, commonly referred to as the "Collect".  The prayer follows a moment of silence initiated by the priest's invitation, "Let us pray," which allows the congregation to gather their thoughts and intentions in the presence of God. This brief silence is essential for the faithful to reflect on their personal petitions and to prepare their hearts for communal worship.

The Collect serves as a collective expression of the prayers and intentions of the entire assembly. It is typically addressed to God the Father, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit, and concludes with a Trinitarian ending, reinforcing the unity of the prayer with the Holy Trinity. The priest, acting in the person of Christ, recites this prayer with outstretched arms, symbolizing the offering of the community's intentions to God.

In summary, the opening prayer at Mass, or Collect, is a vital component that not only expresses the intentions of the faithful but also fosters a sense of unity and prepares the congregation to engage fully in the liturgical celebration.

In Christ,

Fr. Andrew