To Visiting Priests
We are happy to have you celebrate the Eucharist at St. Peters Church. We always like to have a visiting Celebrant as it gives our parishioners a new experience and often some refreshing insights. Please read below some guidelines which we have put down for ourselves, you may find them helpful…. But before that Please do have cup of coffee/soup at our Reception counter.

FOR A SPIRIT-FILLED, SOLEMN & MEANINGFUL EUCHARIST
At the Eucharist you create and shape faith, therefore through your thorough preparation do make the Eucharist as Spirit-filled, Solemn and Meaningful as possible. Parishioners know when you have prepared well and they expect this from you. You make a difference! Some guidelines now follow:

1. Be present 10 minutes before the Eucharist:
   a. Mark the Missal before mass.
   b. On Sundays we pray with all lay ministers present, [that is, the Lectors, Eucharistic ministers, Altar servers, Choir/Cantors, Ushers & others] using the prayer card available or in your own spontaneous way. We share with them the theme of the Eucharist.
   c. Spend some time in the Sacristy or Church in personal quite - It will over flow into your Eucharist
   d. Priest of the house, if you are exchanging masses please leave a note on the Community notice board and inform the sacristan. (Slips for the same are available in the Sacristy)
   
   
2. The Beginning of Mass:
   a. On Sundays we have a procession through the church with all the lay ministers participating at the Eucharist.
   b. On week days we enter the Sanctuary through the Sacristy door.
   c. We start the Eucharist at the Presidential Lectern. After the opening prayer the rest of the mass is either at the Altar or lectern as usual. We do not return to the Presidential Lectern.
   
   
3. Use of the Mikes:
   Since we have all uni-directional mikes, adjust the mike to be close to you mouth and speak directly into it or you are making it very difficult for the congregation to participate effectively.
   
   
4. Three common periods of silence.
   At St Peters we have decided on a minimum of three common Silent Periods which should give the congregation enough time to internalize what is happening.
   a. After you announce the Penitential rite.
   b. After the Reading & Sermon (You may sit down)
   c. After communion: On Sundays, the notices are read only after the tabernacle is closed giving reverence to the Blessed Sacrament and giving space before the concluding prayer.
   
   • You may give the congregation a point to reflect on so as to avoid the silent period being just blank space
   
   
   • You may add other periods as the Lord leads you.
     
     
5. Be an effective communicator, saying the maximum in minimum words:
   
   • 'Introduction to the mass' and 'Concluding rite': Let them be very brief and therefore not more than a minute.
     
   • Your Sermon time: We Preach on Sundays for about 7 minutes and on weekdays 'A Point for reflection' for 2 minutes or less.
   
   Preaching: You have the responsibility of 'Breaking the Word', therefore may your sermon be (acronym S.I.P.S.):
   a. Solid: Solidly based on Scripture, the CCC, teachings of the church or Liturgy & not just a pile of stories or personal reflections.
   b. Interesting: The congregation must want to sit up and listen.
   c. Practical: Let them leave the church wanting to put their faith in action. Therefore, while being thought-provoking, avoid being too abstract.
   d. Simple & Clear, therefore be well prepared: with only one point
   
   
6. PLEASE do not rush through the Eucharist, nor prolong it: On weekdays a mass should be normally around 25 - 30 minutes. Avoid trying to 'finish' your mass in a rush nor prolonging the mass beyond 30 minutes.
   
   
7. Getting to meet/greet & know our parishioners: After mass it would be nice if you met the parishioners outside church. Therefore on Sundays, we vest in the sacristy but unvest at the rear end of the church so as to meet parishioners after mass.
   

All for the Greater Glory of God