L
Lepanto
Guest
Regardless if you think that there should be a dress code for the entire parish, should there be a dress code at least for EMHCs?
If so, what should it include?
If so, what should it include?
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C
Cristiano
Guest
I think that a dress code is appropriate for all the people involved in the different ministries. We have one in our parish and it is mainly a list of what not to wear: flip flops, t-shirts, jeans, Capri pants etc. etc.
I would hesitate in mandating some special attire because it would be a financial burden for some. Reverent attire can be quite frugal. I would avoid anything that would look like an uniform because it would reinforce the idea of EMHCs being “ordinary” ministers.
I would hesitate in mandating some special attire because it would be a financial burden for some. Reverent attire can be quite frugal. I would avoid anything that would look like an uniform because it would reinforce the idea of EMHCs being “ordinary” ministers.
F
FAB
Guest
Yes
For men, dress pants and shirt, tie and jacket.
For women, modest dresses
both dress shoes
For men, dress pants and shirt, tie and jacket.
For women, modest dresses
both dress shoes
B
bilop
Guest
Yes, cassock and surplice.
Anyone entering in the sanctuary should be in liturgical garb.
The best answer would be to resume admitting men to the minor orders of lector and acolyte. They would then be able to perform their appointed roles (readings, serving the Mass) as well as distributing communion when necessary.
God Bless
Anyone entering in the sanctuary should be in liturgical garb.
The best answer would be to resume admitting men to the minor orders of lector and acolyte. They would then be able to perform their appointed roles (readings, serving the Mass) as well as distributing communion when necessary.
God Bless
E
EmBee
Guest
I would love a dress code.
Mine would have women wearing modest a dress or a skirt with a nice blouse. Modest, to me, includes hem lines below the knee, nothing too tight fitting, and no plunging necklines. Accessories such as bracelets or dangly earrings can be distracting, so those should be avoided. I also think closed-toed shoes and nothing with an excessive heel (that will make all sorts of noise or possibly cause a stumble) would be preferable. Men have it a bit easier in my book
, they ought to wear nice slacks, a dress shirt (tucked in), and dress shoes.
–
Mine would have women wearing modest a dress or a skirt with a nice blouse. Modest, to me, includes hem lines below the knee, nothing too tight fitting, and no plunging necklines. Accessories such as bracelets or dangly earrings can be distracting, so those should be avoided. I also think closed-toed shoes and nothing with an excessive heel (that will make all sorts of noise or possibly cause a stumble) would be preferable. Men have it a bit easier in my book
, they ought to wear nice slacks, a dress shirt (tucked in), and dress shoes.–
E
EmBee
Guest
B
blaskoman
Guest
I once noticed a eucharistic minister wearing her tennis outfit and visor too. Guess she was running late for mass after her match.
B
benedictgal
Guest
First of all, let’s get the correct terms. The only ones who are Eucharistic Ministers are the bishops and priests because only they can confect the Sacrament. The ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are the bishops, priests and deacons by virtue of Holy Orders. The laity who perform the function are to be called Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
For women, the dress code should fall under the framework of modesty. In other words, no low necklines, no low-rise jeans/pants, no miniskirts and no shorts. In other words, if you look like you’re going out to a club, that is not the kind of attire suiteable for serving as an EMHC, let alone, attending Mass.
For men, no shorts, no cut-offs, no tank tops and no low-rise pants nor anything that would remotely look like he were auditioning for a post as a back-up dancer for a rap star.
L
Lux_et_Tenebrae
Guest
Yes, after seeing what some people left to their own devices choose—a robe is far preferable. (we had one lady in quite short shorts, with a looser leg. bad enough, and then she bowed
)But, I understand that they do not wish most of the lay ministries to wear clerical garb, so as not to confuse with the ordained as was mentioned, and to stress that they are members of the congregation.
Lux
I
ibkc
Guest
Oh boy, should there be a dress code for EMHCs! Yes there should.
For men:
- long pants, buttoned shirt, tie, dress shoes
- no shorts, running shoes, or casual shirts
- modest dress or skirt/pant suit, dress shoes
- no excessively long fingernails
- no tank tops or tops with plunging neckline
B
buffalo
Guest
Yes!
L
Lepanto
Guest
Please know that cassock and surplice are distinctly male clothing. Cassock and surplice are not unisex.
Completely agree!
W
water
Guest
I’ve seen an EMHC wearing pants that are way above the ankles. (at least 6 inches above it). I thought it wasn’t a great idea.
M
Michael038
Guest
Our’s wear shirt tie/jacket in winter months, golf shirt/dress pants in summer months. Women EMHC’s are well dressed also.
T
THurifer2
Guest
BRAVO BRAVO!
People forget that EMHCs are NOT the norm…I think the rampant misuse of EMHCs is one of those tragedys that has happened.
A
Aramis
Guest
Clean, neat and modest, and appropriate for the weather and environment.
Seeing bermuda shorts and aloha shirts in Hawaii doesn’t bother me.
M
mullenpm
Guest
First of all, I absolutely agree with everything that Bilop said.
I definitely would like to see all EMHC’s (if we must have them) wearing a cassock and surplice. I would prefer that only the Priest distribute the Holy Eucharist and the idea of the Priest and Deacon sitting down and allowing lay people to distribute the Holy Eucharst shocks me. I think I would communicate with the Bishop on that one.
And, the cassock and surplice is a unisex garment because the sole woman Sacristan in my parish wears the cassock and surplice when she assists at Mass (and again, I would prefer that we have only men).
As to the readers, modest clothes for the women (and I mean no bare arms and shoulders and short shirts); for men, please long pants and shoes and socks (I am always amazed at men who come to Mass wearing shoes and no socks, what is that all about.
:knight2:
I definitely would like to see all EMHC’s (if we must have them) wearing a cassock and surplice. I would prefer that only the Priest distribute the Holy Eucharist and the idea of the Priest and Deacon sitting down and allowing lay people to distribute the Holy Eucharst shocks me. I think I would communicate with the Bishop on that one.
And, the cassock and surplice is a unisex garment because the sole woman Sacristan in my parish wears the cassock and surplice when she assists at Mass (and again, I would prefer that we have only men).
As to the readers, modest clothes for the women (and I mean no bare arms and shoulders and short shirts); for men, please long pants and shoes and socks (I am always amazed at men who come to Mass wearing shoes and no socks, what is that all about.
:knight2:
R
Rickwood
Guest
Yes I do think there should be a dress code for EMsHC, readers and cantors. I wouldn’t go half way either. I would make it extremely simple, cheap and clean. The following is pretty much the volunteer usher dress code that I cut and pasted from our local performing arts center:
**
Uniform Guidelines for Men:**
Shirt: Solid white dress shirt. (Long sleeves obviously preferred.)
Tie: Solid black necktie. (Straight preferred, bow tie allowed). No suspenders.
Pants: Solid black dress slacks.
Belt: Plain solid black belt.
Socks: Solid black socks.
Shoes: Solid black dress shoes. No tennis or athletic shoes.
**
Uniform Guidelines for Women:**
Top: Modest solid white dress blouse.
Bottom: Solid black dress slacks or skirt. Skirt length to knee height or longer.
Socks/Hose: Solid black socks; hose to be black or natural color; no white hose.
Shoes: Solid black dress shoes with no or low heel. Tennis or athletic shoes, open-back slides, sling back or open-toe shoes may not be worn.
Jewelry: Every EMHC will be issued a crucifix on a chain that they would be required to wear around their necks. The ONLY acceptable additional jewelry is wedding bands, small earrings and tasteful watches. Large earrings, decorative necklaces worn outside the collar, bracelets or pins are not acceptable.
Pullover/coat: I would issue a simple black jacket, possibly with a patch if people felt they needed extra warmth in the winter.
One would have to be exceedingly tactful and in no hurry to implement such a dress code. The parish would also have to be willing to quietly pay for anyone’s uniform if money was a problem. Once done though I think it would be a huge success. A year after implementation it would become part of the local tradition of the parish.
**
Uniform Guidelines for Men:**
Shirt: Solid white dress shirt. (Long sleeves obviously preferred.)
Tie: Solid black necktie. (Straight preferred, bow tie allowed). No suspenders.
Pants: Solid black dress slacks.
Belt: Plain solid black belt.
Socks: Solid black socks.
Shoes: Solid black dress shoes. No tennis or athletic shoes.
**
Uniform Guidelines for Women:**
Top: Modest solid white dress blouse.
Bottom: Solid black dress slacks or skirt. Skirt length to knee height or longer.
Socks/Hose: Solid black socks; hose to be black or natural color; no white hose.
Shoes: Solid black dress shoes with no or low heel. Tennis or athletic shoes, open-back slides, sling back or open-toe shoes may not be worn.
Jewelry: Every EMHC will be issued a crucifix on a chain that they would be required to wear around their necks. The ONLY acceptable additional jewelry is wedding bands, small earrings and tasteful watches. Large earrings, decorative necklaces worn outside the collar, bracelets or pins are not acceptable.
Pullover/coat: I would issue a simple black jacket, possibly with a patch if people felt they needed extra warmth in the winter.
One would have to be exceedingly tactful and in no hurry to implement such a dress code. The parish would also have to be willing to quietly pay for anyone’s uniform if money was a problem. Once done though I think it would be a huge success. A year after implementation it would become part of the local tradition of the parish.
R
Rickwood
Guest
Having readers, cantors and/or EMsHC vest in either albs or cassocks/surplices would be bad form. It does nothing but blur the line between the ordained and the laity.First of all, I absolutely agree with everything that Bilop said.
I definitely would like to see all EMHC’s (if we must have them) wearing a cassock and surplice. I would prefer that only the Priest distribute the Holy Eucharist and the idea of the Priest and Deacon sitting down and allowing lay people to distribute the Holy Eucharst shocks me. I think I would communicate with the Bishop on that one.
And, the cassock and surplice is a unisex garment because the sole woman Sacristan in my parish wears the cassock and surplice when she assists at Mass (and again, I would prefer that we have only men).
As to the readers, modest clothes for the women (and I mean no bare arms and shoulders and short shirts); for men, please long pants and shoes and socks (I am always amazed at men who come to Mass wearing shoes and no socks, what is that all about.
:knight2:
While albs are indeed “unisex” garments, the cassock/albs are purely masculine garments.
L
Lepanto
Guest
OK, we’re already spiraling off-topic here on several matters, but the cassock/surplice is NOT unisex, because that is the traditional garb of priests and seminarians.First of all, I absolutely agree with everything that Bilop said.
I definitely would like to see all EMHC’s (if we must have them) wearing a cassock and surplice. I would prefer that only the Priest distribute the Holy Eucharist and the idea of the Priest and Deacon sitting down and allowing lay people to distribute the Holy Eucharst shocks me. I think I would communicate with the Bishop on that one.
And, the cassock and surplice is a unisex garment because the sole woman Sacristan in my parish wears the cassock and surplice when she assists at Mass (and again, I would prefer that we have only men).
As to the readers, modest clothes for the women (and I mean no bare arms and shoulders and short shirts); for men, please long pants and shoes and socks (I am always amazed at men who come to Mass wearing shoes and no socks, what is that all about.
:knight2:
Cassock/surplice do not become unisex just because your female sacristan wears them. In reality, she is wearing men’s clothing (I assume out of ignorance).
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