Sorry if your’re offended by my post but is how this was presented in Mass...and further many I spoke with who believe this.....so is what you’re saying is catholics don’t understand their own ritual?
As I have said a bunch recently, not all are teachers. Some are not very good students. And the “theology” of the Mass is different from the thing itself. You don't need to know a lot of psychology for your marriage to be holy, loving, and happy. Likewise with the Mass.
For some time now the trend is to use the word "confects." A priest with the proper intention is something necessary (but not sufficient) to confect an assuredly valid Eucharist.
I suspect that one reason this word is being used is to get away from the idea that the priest "makes it happen."
So, with that preamble, I would answer your question with a yes, a lot of Catholics don't understand, and some that do can't express what they do understand -- as long as we understand that there are some basic expectation, for example that they affirm that it is a real encounter with the Lord, whether they “feel” it or not.