questions

i have some questions. maybe you guys can help me. evelyn has already answered one of them in her own way. your sharings will be great! =)

going for mass is a communal affair but it is also a very private one. what do we say before mass? when the priest raises up the eucharist, what is running through our minds as we bow our heads? when we are preparing to go up for communion, what do each of us say or do? what are we praying for or about? what are we saying to jesus? as we are walking along, waiting in queue for our turn to stretch out our palms or stick out our tongues to receive the eucharist, do we continue that prayer? or what? when we reply, "amen", what goes on in our hearts? as we walk back to our seats, what is happening? and when we are praying in silence after communion, has the conversation changed from before communion? when we kneel down in prayer after mass, what is that prayer we are saying?

when we go to the adoration room for our own silent time, each of us has our own style regarding how we spend that time. how do you spend yours? are you just silent? are you reflecting on anything in that silence? are you singing praises in your mind? do you read the bible? or some reflective book? or say a repetitive prayer, the rosary, divine mercy? or sleep?

i'm just very curious about all this. because there are times when it's quiet and i just don't know what to do. my mind wanders off and i get distracted. and then i get distracted with how i am going to fill up that time, or with my legs cramping up, or something. all i want to do is spend some proper time with jesus! your sharings or suggestions will help! please advice!

and can someone tell me once and for all the stand about holding hands during our father?

-shireen