About an hour.

You don’t need to “dress up” to come into our church. Most people wear casual attire.

Wherever you like!

There are no designated seats. Newcomers might feel more comfortable towards the rear, just so you can see when others sit or stand without feeling too exposed.

In the beginning, it might feel a bit like a dance when you don’t know the steps – people standing, kneeling, sitting and responding to the prayers and readings with learnt phrases. Don’t worry – it’s an easy dance to learn!

We stand to pray, we sit to listen and reverently kneel at those sacred moments.

The easiest way to learn is to take a seat towards the back of the church, and watch everyone else!

No.

You will see during Mass members of the congregation offering money when a plate or bag is passed around the church. Any giving here is entirely voluntary. There are generally two “collections”:

• Money from the first collection is sent out of the parish to a central fund to provide living expenses for priests, including retired priests.
• Money from the second collection is used to pay for expenses in the parish, including wages of staff.

For newcomers to a Mass, there are a few aspects of etiquette you should observe:

• You will see many members of the congregation move forward to Eucharist (Holy Communion) about 1/2 way through the Mass. Only persons who are full members of the catholic community (have been baptised, confirmed, and received first Eucharist) can receive Communion.
• Adults should not consume food or drink during Mass.
• Turn your mobile phone off, or put on silent, during Mass.

The focus of the celebration of Mass is the Eucharist, when we believe the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus, which we are invited to eat and drink. At this time of the Mass (about half-way through), you will see members of the congregation move forward to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus.

The reception of the Eucharist is for fully initiated Catholics (Baptised, Confirmed and received first Eucharist). As Catholics, we like to make a big celebration the first time you receive the Eucharist. This is done after some time of formation and is a special moment in the faith journey of the individual.

If this is your first time at Mass, you can still receive a blessing at the time of Eucharist (Communion) by crossing your arms over your chest as you approach the Communion Minister.

During each Mass, we recite a brief summary of our main beliefs. This is called the Profession of Faith (or “creed”), and states:

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through Him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Amen.