What happens at Mass cannot be replaced by anything else. It is the heartbeat of the Church.

When we gather together to celebrate the Mass, we are caught up in the movement of Christ’s offering of himself to the Father, which is at the heart of the Trinity. What happens at Mass is that we are all called to share in Christ’s work of transforming the world and drawing it into the life of God. This is the action of the Eucharist.

Sunday Mass is central to our identity and mission. The whole community gathers to listen to the Word of God and to give thanks and praise with Jesus to the Father in the Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass. As we eat and drink the body and blood of Jesus in Holy Communion, we become more fully the Body of Christ, sent into the world to continue Jesus’ mission to transform the world.

The Lord’s Day, which is the day of his resurrection, is the day above all when the Church gathers as a Eucharistic community. Ideally, sick and housebound people should receive Holy Communion directly from Sunday Mass in order to highlight their connection with the community and its celebration.

This Diocese wants to ensure that Sunday Mass continues to be celebrated as widely as possible by as many people as possible. For this reason, the current arrangement of parishes will be developed into larger ‘Pastoral Areas’ over the next few years so that priests and people can celebrate Sunday Mass in a way that truly forms the community for mission and gives glory to God. The role of the priest is crucial to the life of the Eucharistic community.

Existing communities and Mass centres will often continue within the new areas, but the Mass may be celebrated less often. Therefore, it is even more important that each community ensures that every Mass is prepared and celebrated with the utmost care and commitment.