Question about possible abuse during mass

[NewEnglandPriest]

I would respectfully disagree with you, Father. At the Cathedral, the rector would not use the EPs for children precisely because, first of all, the Mass was not about them,

Mass is never “about the people.” However, Mass is often geared towards certain populations. A FHC Mass is clearly and distinctly geared towards the children.

second, they did not constitute the majority of the faithful (and, even when they do at the school Masses he celebrates he does not use them)

As I said, the children do the readings, the Prayer of the Faithful, and bring up the gifts. The homily is geared towards the children. Clearly using a Eucharistic Prayer for Children would not be outside of the spirit of the liturgy.

and third, the EPs are problematic. In fact, Rome considers them to also be problematic as these were not included in the new translations. Indications are that they will either be revised or eliminated.

Either way, they exist now and maintain approved status until further notice. Your personal views of them are irrelevant.

Regarding children reading, he would not allow it. He, instead, had the CCD teachers read.

What one rector does is irrelevant for what the other thousands of parishes do and hundreds of other diocese allow.

As I have experienced it down here, FHC Masses unfortunately become photo-ops where everyone concentrates and focuses on what the children are doing instead of Who they are receiving for the first time. It has been reduced to a paparazzi fest with the parents. That is why, during the rector’s tenure at the Cathedral, changes were made, even to the point of having one contracted photographer who discreetly took pictures.

That, unfortunately, is an ongoing problem for many liturgies: FHC, confirmation, weddings, etc. Your rector has chosen one way to deal with but that doesn’t bind everyone else.

 

[VetA]

Whatever it takes to get the children “into” their faith is fine by me. As an adult woman, during our CRHP retreat, our wonderful priest invited us around the altar during the consecration an it was simply awesome.

not if it is wrong, or against the teachings of the church, were catholic, not some sort of protestant denomination. if we get them into the faith wrong then their salvation is at risk.