This is a common difference I think in Protestant and Catholic - what "going to Sunday Church" is.
Protestant "Church" is more of a lecture/study group. Catholics have the Eucharist, Mass. There are Bible study groups, catechism study, etc. on other days in other places for Catholics.
It's two different basic reasons and ideas about "Sunday Worship Services."
This I think also relates to Scott H.'s conversion. I believe others have said that it was primarily about the Eucharist.
You have given a clear picure of the difference between Catholic Sunday worship and others. Catholic worship centers around the Eucharist. Divided in two parts--the Scripture Readings (Liturgy of the Word) and the Eucharist. The "shadow reality" of this form is found in the last chapter of St. Luke: Their hearts burned in their breasts when He explained Scripture to them, but they RECOGNIZED Him in the breaking of the bread.
You are also right when you say that Catholics hold Bible studies and spiritual formation groups outside of the worship at Mass. Many such groups exist.
For those who are not Catholic re: having the Bible open when the Scriptures are read--every parish has access in the pews to a book of the Scriptural readings for each Mass of the year. In fact, because the readings are arranged in recurring 3-year cycles, parishioners can always know what the subject of readings will be, and can prepare and meditate ahead of time. Many commentaries are avalible for this.
There are 3 Readings at every Sunday Mass(daily Masses have 2). The first and second readings are from the OT and the Epistles. Between them, a Psalm is read. The third reading is from the Gospels. These readings are arranged thematically, so that they are linked together by a common "thread" of meaning.
We become very familiar with these Scriptures each renewed cycle of 3 years.