LOL Cor,
Im sure you will be pleased to know I no longer reside in the ole hoosier state. However, there was little hospitality in the midwest. Perhaps its because the communities are so close knit that if you didn’t grow up next to so and so’s family no one makes eye contact. It’s sad. Out west perhaps because people are from all over, we all are very friendly. A new family in Church, they are invited over for dinner by many. However in the four diocese in that lovely state, I’ve had nothing but incredible experiences, with the priests, and the liturgy. Truly blessed are the Catholics in an area with such history. Out west, it is still very much mission territory. While we have the natural beauty you will never come close to achieving, you blow us out of the water with liturgy, history, architecture, and especially catechisis. Several parishes I attended in the hoosier state had no EMHC, there was no need. But the ones that did, had no problems. Reception on the tongue was common and handled well, and I never had a problem with my kids there.
You will note that in reference to number one, I am clarifying that if children present themselves properly. This is easy to tell, their hands properly folded, a bow, possibly a kneel, and a tongue out ready to say AMEN. Poorly trained EMHC in my area think they can now decide by the height of someone who can receive. I will speak up loudly saying something like “They are presenting themselves correctly please distribute the Eucharist. They do after they look scared” A bully move. maybe, but there have been times my kids come back feeling horrible and embarrassed. To be fair, I’ve said the exact same thing to several Ordinary ministers of communion…
But bottom line, it is presumptuous for a EMHC to decide who should or should not receive. And since there is no commission for them to bless at all, they have no “power” to pick and choose who should and should not be receiving. That is really one of the problems and why I don’t want any part of it. In my opinion it blurs the line between clergy and laity, and it also can over time appear to devalue how people think about the Eucharist. As a receive on the tongue type person, Ive had some problems with some younger EMHC, say in the high school program who I witness doing and saying things before Mass and dressing and acting inappropriately then handing out communion like tickets to a baseball game. Again, this is anecdotal and localized I’m sure.
As far as confession is concerned, thanks. I have actually taken this to the confessional and more in general voiced my concerns to the priests.
But I caution you cor. If you haven’t experienced the desert of faith in some areas of the country, count yourself blessed. There is not much to life that Indiana can brag about. It’s poor, it’s polluted, its flat. But it is one of the pockets of the Church that is beautiful, Holy and gorgeous with an incredible faithful people and clergy. I miss it so much for that one reason. And really it is the most important reason.
