Religious rituals are religion in action. Describe what in fact is accomplished by religious rituals?

What makes a religion more than just a set of beliefs are the traditions and activities that go along with these beliefs. After being raised Catholic and attending Catholic school for a while, I've had the chance to witness and take part in the cuhrch's practices. An example of a ritual for Catholics is receiving the Eucharist at every mass (the little peice of bread and sometimes wine which we are supposed to believe is actually a piece of Jesus). This ritual allows for the Catholic community to come together, pray, have time to reflect on themselves, and receive blessing from Jesus/God Himself. It is what the entire mass revolves around and is the most sacred time of the hour or so in which the people are congregated.
Another, less frequent, ritual performed by Catholics is going to mass on Ash Wednesday, the day after Mardi Gras, the day before the season of Lent begins. The ritual is to signify the beginning of what we choose to sacrifice/give up until Easter for God (whether someone gives up chocolate, caffeine, or personal time to do community service). People of the Catholic faith show up to mass on this Wednesday and the ashes of palms are marked in the shape of a cross on their forehead. This is a way to show pride for religion throughout the day, symbolize the personal cross to be carried throughout the next few months during the time Jesus had to, and to have that support with the community in preparation for Easter for the next few weeks.

It does sound odd to other people not accustomed to the rituals, as was pointed out in another post. I am used to it after being forced to practice for 18 years of my life, but I still find it strange to have faith that, when I go to church, I am eating Jesus...??? This also just shows how the bible and other religious books can be interpreted so many ways (ie: jihad=religious struggle; some take as actual fight, others as struggle within oneself), since Christians of different denominations all read Jesus' sharing of his bread/body at the last supper.

I think that religious rituals over all tend to accomplish a closeness within the religious community, and forms of practice, bringing their beliefs to life and making them tangible.