Holy Thursday

[Br.Rich_SFO]

little1:

Pantyhose has long been a problem in our parish. Every year Father reminds the women not to wear them and every year some women forget.

The aspect that saddens me has really always been that the handicapped are generally excluded because they can’t kneal to participate in the reciprocal washing. Actually, as long as there are steps to the alter they’re excluded from just about everything. But that’s probably another thread.

The laity should not be in the sanctuary area anywhere near the altar during the Mass anyway. Unless they are Serving, reading or an EMHC!

 

[little1]

Br. Rich SFO:

The laity should not be in the sanctuary area anywhere near the altar during the Mass anyway. Unless they are Serving, reading or an EMHC!

Well, that’s what I meant. There’s a shortage of readers right now and folks in wheelchairs and leaning on walkers who would like to help out but we’ve yet to figure out how. Except at daily Mass, which is said in the side chapel where the alter isn’t raised. And we did just change to a larger, more accessable confessional so progress is being made.

 

[mosher]

I’m not being a smart*.** If the Church is going to wash feet, everybody’s feet should be washed!

Why should the Church discriminate on this when they don’t seem to have a problem putting their hands in my pockets in the same manner as the men?

This is silly. The Church shouldn’t be reaching into yoru pocket - rather you should be giving voluntarily to the Church as is your obligation by divine command. If the Church has to reach into your pocket then you are not doing your duty and Holy Mother Church is just reminding you of your duty.

The symbolism of the Mandatum is that of Christ washing the feet of the apostles in the gospels. The apostles were men and so the feet being washed should be attached to men to keep the symbolism straight - there is many other theological reason why this is so but we can discuss those later.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

little1:

Well, that’s what I meant. There’s a shortage of readers right now and folks in wheelchairs and leaning on walkers who would like to help out but we’ve yet to figure out how. Except at daily Mass, which is said in the side chapel where the alter isn’t raised. And we did just change to a larger, more accessable confessional so progress is being made.

A microphone can for special reasons like this be placed at floor level for a reader in a wheelchair. They are still set apart from the congregration while reading. The priest or deacon could bring a ciborium to an EMHC who is in a wheelchair to allow them to distribute. Our new church has a ramp that goes up along a back wall so anyone in a wheelchair who needs to can actually come up into the Sanctuary.

 

[little1]

Br. Rich SFO:

Our new church has a ramp that goes up along a back wall so anyone in a wheelchair who needs to can actually come up into the Sanctuary.

We’re collecting to build a new church, depending on the lawsuits come out (Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon ) and hopefully they’ll do something like that.