The first of a 5-part series of talks entitled “Experiencing the Mass” got off to a well-anticipated start at its scheduled time of 10 a.m. on Sunday, August 26, at the St Theresa’s RC Parish Hall, Barataria.

As was advertised in the Catholic News of the last few weeks, the series is aimed at sensitising participants on the fundamentals of the Mass and its application in our everyday lives. It will also offer participants the necessary opportunity to ask their questions about the Mass and have them answered by experts on the topics.

Approximately 50 Catholics, of varying ages from children to the Church stalwarts of “golden” years, from parishes and areas as far as Maraval and Diego Martin, to as close to the host parish, as San Juan, assembled at St Theresa’s, Barataria, to hear and be part of the introduction to the course. The first of the series was delivered by Fr Rodney Olive, CSsR, parish priest at Barataria.

Following a sumptuous brunch, the talk began with an opening prayer by Fr Rodney and an invocation to the Holy Spirit for both the presenter and the eager participants.

As Fr Rodney got on the way of introducing the sessions, he did so in his customary dynamic and involving manner, indeed capturing the attention of the group leaders, catechists and other information-seeking lay faithful gathered.

He spoke of the origin of the series and its need, as many of us attend Mass regularly, not knowing exactly what is going on and having many questions about all that is done during the celebration. Fr Rodney explained that these talks were meant to explain and bring greater meaning to the Mass.

He began with a very topical issue which many Catholics are often asked by their fellow Catholics and non-Catholic Christians alike: “Where could the Mass and many other parts of our Catholic faith be found in the Bible?”

Fr Rodney provided a consoling response, backed by Sacred Scripture: as St Paul himself assured the Early Church of the need to follow both the oral Sacred Tradition and the Word.

Many other relevant topics were reviewed by our well-read presenter and parish priest, with many questions being posed and answered, including whether Catholics should receive “Communion” in other Churches, the position of Holy Communion being distributed in some parishes under one species only and under both in others and the Church’s ruling on the state that Catholics should be in to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord.

The faithful from all parishes are invited to join in this most essential series of talks, which continue for the next four Sundays at 10 a.m. at the parish hall, with themes ranging from the Biblical roots of the Mass to the Liturgy since Vatican II.

Those interested may contact Fr Rodney at 674-9331 or rodneyolive@hotmail.com for pre-registration or more information.