Okay.. a little support here would be nice

[PaulaB52]

You know, with 8 children, hand holding would be a HUGE distraction with keeping them quiet and behaved. I know when my 2 boys hold hands, they start squeezing really hard, trying to pull each other down, etc. It was for that reason I disallowed hand holding in the first place. Then I found out it wasn’t necessary. I never really liked it anyway after returning to The Church. I always felt it was Protestant.

I know if my dh would have been confronted with a very conservative priest when he was going thru his conversion, he more than likely would not have converted. The priest who Confirmed him and “guided” him thru his adult education was weak in the faith. But, at the same time, the Holy Spirit was guiding me to become much much stronger in mine. So what Father neglected to teach my husband, I was able to show and teach him.

 

[drawnhome]

You know, at our Mass we can hold hands or not hold hands, no one accosts you if you don’t, it is very personal. I read the link you sent, as our family always holds hands during the Our Father. I couldn’t understand the page very well, I was just confused by all the words. I will try going over it again and again till I get it.

I am wondering though, if some lady reached out for my hand, and I rebuffed her, due to being convinced I am following Church teaching, is this what our Lord would want? We must approach everything in love, and remember what Jesus told us about the most important commandment.

I am a follower, and very traditional. But on this issue I am on the side of however I can best evangelize and encourage others, and we never know what people are facing. If someone offers their hand to me, I will always take it.

 

[Em_in_FL]

hand holding during the Our Father (complete with hand, elbow tap just in case you didn’t notice their hand in front of you)** **

That is rude if someone is forcing you to hold their hand…
But I don’t know if I’d (personally) have said anything to her… maybe just avoid sitting directly next to her in the future if it bothers you…

You know, at our Mass we can hold hands or not hold hands, no one accosts you if you don’t, it is very personal. I read the link you sent, as our family always holds hands during the Our Father. I couldn’t understand the page very well, I was just confused by all the words. I will try going over it again and again till I get it.

I am wondering though, if some lady reached out for my hand, and I rebuffed her, due to being convinced I am following Church teaching, is this what our Lord would want? We must approach everything in love, and remember what Jesus told us about the most important commandment.

I am a follower, and very traditional. But on this issue I am on the side of however I can best evangelize and encourage others, and we never know what people are facing. If someone offers their hand to me, I will always take it.

This has been my experience at our church. There are many people who pray with hands folded, hands raised, or holding hands… no one ever accosts a neighbor…
I agree with this statement above on how to handle this particular situation…