4/16/2021
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| Giotto, "St. Francis Preaching to the Birds" |
Should I write to my people today asking for their input on the questions of the use of Saint Joseph’s Altar and of how we accommodate all posture preferences for Holy Communion?
If I do I should get a letter out to my people this morning or this afternoon before I leave for my niece’s First Holy Communion.
The people’s response, which I expect would be largely positive, may be useful to refer to when I’m being asked to give an account for why we proceed as we do, here at Saint Joe’s.
“How come you’re using the high altar?”
“It's a really popular expression of our parish’s devotion to our patron.”
“Why do you administer Holy Communion at the rail?”
“It’s a really popular expression of our parish’s devotion to our Lord’s Body and Blood.”
“Any other reasons you care to offer?”
“We really enjoy the generosity of the Church in making available so many useful, practical and legitimate options for how we carry out the celebration of Mass. It makes us feel like we can include a wider diversity of the preferences we have in our community.” “Also, it has helped us stay strong in our love of God, in our faith in Our Lord’s presence with us during this difficult time, and in the protection and intercession of his saints.” “We’ve learned, especially during these days, how deeply we rely on Our Lord and his great power to save us as so many of us have been suffering a great deal. That we can show Our Lord a particular expression of how dearly we regard Him and wonderfully he has regarded us in our need is a special consolation and comfort to us as we strive to continue to cling ever more closely to Him.”
