Livestream
Church of the Resurrection
Sunnyvale, California
Liturgical Renewal
Renewed at the Table of the Lord
Liturgical Renewal Phase 1 – Introductory Rites: Welcoming & Participation
Sunday after Easter, April 12, 2026 – July 1, 2026
WEEK 1 (April 12 - 13, 2026)
Renewed at the Table of the Lord: Beginning Our Journey
In this Easter season of new life and resurrection, our diocese begins a journey of liturgical renewal called Renewed at the Table of the Lord. Over the next two years, we will walk together through the parts of the Mass, deepening our understanding and participation in the source and summit of our Catholic life: the Holy Eucharist.
This renewal is an invitation to experience more fully what we already have: the incredible gift of encountering the mystery of Christ's sacrifice made manifest in the Mass, and God’s tremendous love for each of us. The Second Vatican Council called all members of the Church to participate fully, consciously, and actively in the liturgy. This means bringing our whole selves to Mass: our hearts, our voices, our attention, and our lives.
This spring, we are focusing on the Introductory Rites: those opening moments when we gather as the Body of Christ, ask for God's mercy, and prepare to hear His word. In the fall, we will explore the Liturgy of the Word. Next Lent brings the Liturgy of the Eucharist. And in fall 2027, we will reflect on being sent forth as missionary disciples in the Concluding Rites.
This journey is part of our diocesan Pastoral Plan, which culminates in 2031 under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Just as our Blessed Mother leads us to her Son, this renewal helps us discover how the Mass forms us, nourishes us, and sends us forth to love and serve. Your parish liturgical leaders have been trained and are ready to guide us in this renewal.
In the weeks ahead, watch for articles in our bulletin, resources on our parish website, diocesan social media posts, and other opportunities to learn more. Most importantly, come to Mass with open hearts and bring all that you are before the Lord, who promises to be with us always. Let us walk this journey together, allowing the Mass to transform us into the people God calls us to be. May Our Lady of Guadalupe guide us closer to her Son, that we may be Renewed at the Table of the Lord.
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Renewed at the Table of the Lord
Liturgical Renewal Phase 1 – Introductory Rites: Welcoming & Participation
Sunday after Easter, April 12, 2026 – July 1, 2026
WEEK 2 (April 19 - 20, 2026)
We Are Not Spectators: Your Vital Role at Mass
Have you ever thought of yourself as having a ministry at Mass? If you answered no, think again. Every person who gathers for the Eucharist has a vital role to play. The Second Vatican Council called this the ministry of the assembly—and you are part of it!
When we come to Mass, we are not simply individuals attending a private devotion. God invites us to gather together to worship as one family. This is why our participation matters so much. When you stand, you stand with your brothers and sisters. When you respond, your voice joins the voice of the whole Church. When you sing, you are not performing: you are praying.
Full, conscious, and active participation does not mean everyone must be a lector or choir member. But it means something deeper than simply going through the motions on the outside. Think of two people at Mass: one sings every song, knows every response, and greets everyone warmly. Another sits quietly, head bowed, perhaps unable to sing that day — because something in the readings has quietly broken them open. Which one is participating more fully? We cannot tell from the outside. What the Church is asking of us is not a performance but an interior offering. It means coming to Mass as we truly are tired, grateful, broken, searching, and hopeful before the Lord. The more humbly and authentically we bring ourselves to the Eucharist, the more we are transformed by it.
Preparation, then, is less about arriving ready to do everything right and more about arriving willing to be honest before God. A few simple actions can help. First, arrive at least five minutes before Mass starts to quiet your heart, set aside the noise of the week. Second, join in the responses and songs. Your voice matters, even if you think you cannot sing well. Third, when we move together, those shared postures are not mere formality; they are a sign of our unity as one Body in Christ.
This week, reflect on how you participate at Mass: Are you fully present? Do you respond and sing? Do you let the Mass shape your week? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you discover the beauty of being an active member of the assembly—the Body of Christ.
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