Should there be a dress code for EMHCs?

[EasterJoy]

My Diocese doesnt just pick people out of the pew’s before Mass. People wishing to serve volunteer, undergo training, get a blessing of commission, receive a certificate for the length of their term, and are placed on a schedule to serve one Mass per month. It may be different in your parish, but I’m just letting you know that it doesnt always work like you explained in the thread.

We have a schedule, but that doesn’t mean that we’re never asked to serve “out of turn”. As for the blessing of commission, it is nice, but it doesn’t make them any less out of the ordinary than any other non-cleric who fills the need.

 

[ibkc]

Actually, they aren’t - EMHCs are not a “special class” of parishioners - all they are is just the folks who were asked, right before the beginning of the Mass, whether they would serve today.

That isn’t how it works here; the EMHCs go through a training class and are scheduled for the various Sunday masses. That doesn’t stop some of them from showing up dressed inappropriately (and that is putting it charitably). Like the full-figured (we’re talking EEE here) 50-something woman who has been known to report for duty in a skin-tight tank top.

 

[jmcrae]

That isn’t how it works here; the EMHCs go through a training class and are scheduled for the various Sunday masses. That doesn’t stop some of them from showing up dressed inappropriately (and that is putting it charitably). Like the full-figured (we’re talking EEE here) 50-something woman who has been known to report for duty in a skin-tight tank top.

Don’t they check in with the priest before Mass begins? That would be a good time for the priest to mention that she needs to wear something over it. But if he is not saying anything, there is very little you can do about it. (I wouldn’t even go out my front door looking like that, but maybe that’s just me.)

 

[ibkc]

(I wouldn’t even go out my front door looking like that, but maybe that’s just me.)

No, it’s not just you.

 

[Michael038]

We have a schedule, but that doesn’t mean that we’re never asked to serve “out of turn”. As for the blessing of commission, it is nice, but it doesn’t make them any less out of the ordinary than any other non-cleric who fills the need.

The point I was trying to make to the other poster was that in my parish the EMHC’s are comissioned and not just picked out of a pew, there are times when we serve a Mass that we arent scheduled for due to someone being absent. I never said that we were anything special I was just trying to make that point to the comments that that person posted.

 

[EasterJoy]

The point I was trying to make to the other poster was that in my parish the EMHC’s are comissioned and not just picked out of a pew, there are times when we serve a Mass that we arent scheduled for due to someone being absent. I never said that we were anything special I was just trying to make that point to the comments that that person posted.

I misunderstood you. I just think EMHCs should be models of dress that is appropriate for the laity–whether they are serving that week or not, by the way!–but that this is sufficient. (Actually, the modelling could serve an additional practical purpose!)

Since training is necessary, guidelines about what is “appropriate” dress should be covered in that, with additional private “tutorials” later, where necessary. Those interested will have warning concerning what is expected, which will be a help to the soul who gets to tell one of the EMHCs that her necklines are too low or that his golf cleats or tennis shorts are out of place.

 

[Sir_Knight]

the EMHCs go through a training class

I didn’t go through any training class. The priest said some prayers over me in Latin and that was it.

 

[Sir_Knight]

Don’t they check in with the priest before Mass begins?

We have a sign-up sheet. If all slots are not filled in, the ushers are instructed to go through the pews looking for extra EMHCs, altar servers, etc. The priest is in seclusion behind a shut door prior to mass and doesn’t see anyone.

 

[Jonathan_Cid]

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

Hear, hear!

 

[Michael038]

I misunderstood you. I just think EMHCs should be models of dress that is appropriate for the laity–whether they are serving that week or not, by the way!–but that this is sufficient. (Actually, the modelling could serve an additional practical purpose!)

Since training is necessary, guidelines about what is “appropriate” dress should be covered in that, with additional private “tutorials” later, where necessary. Those interested will have warning concerning what is expected, which will be a help to the soul who gets to tell one of the EMHCs that her necklines are too low or that his golf cleats or tennis shorts are out of place.

Our Diocese met with us and went over dress code rules, refer to an earlier post of mine #50 in this thread.

 

[EvelynEVF]

I’m mostly chiming in to be silly. Here is what I have seen and would forbid:

No flip flops under the alb, or non-birk sandals! The deacon in birks just looks Franciscan, but Tevas are distracting. Oh, and please no beat up white tennies, Father

No mardi gras beads outside the altar-server’s alb, or hoop earrings so big they rest her shoulders.

The “worship director” who sits at the side of the sanctuary and crosses her legs must not wear a tight above-knee length skirt.

Oh, and “low-cut” is defined as “we all get an eyeful when you bow” That might be higher than you think! Try it in a mirror before you leave home.

Peace to all!

 

[KathleenElsie]

We just love the “clunk” “clunk” “clunk” that the high heal shoes make when bringing back the Cup. Or the “thunk” “thunk” “thunk” of the flip flops then crossing before the Altar.

NOT.

 

[ProVobis]

Or got pulled from the congregation at the last minute. Ever dropped in for for Mass on the way home from something, thinking you would just hang out at the back and not be noticed, and then they ask you to fill in for the absent whomever?

She probably shouldn’t have worn that paper bag over her head.

Wish this thread would put the issue in more perspective. It seems as if people should be more concerned about whether they’re worthy to receive rather than what their EM’s wear. But then what else would we have to talk about.

 

[CatholiCommit]

Just to catch me up on what is going on here, we are talking about Eucharistic Ministers? Right

Since I have plans to became a Eucharistic Minister, it makes me think about if there is a dress code, what about people who have some kind of leg or ankle surgery and wish to wear dress pants for the sake of not have to mess with nylons, I say this because I had ankle surgery and I wear dress pants to church and I find it much more easier as a modest dresser. I hope if there is a dress code this will be taken into consideration.

It would not bother me personally if there was a dress code, but then some churches do not do serious adjustments to who wears what expect for the those who help with the masses.

I will say at the last church I went to I always wore a dress or a dressy skirt to church , never dress pants unfortuntely that changed when I had my ankle fixed and became a member of the Catholic Church.

 

[EvelynEVF]

We have carpet, so there is no thunk thunk of heels or flip flops. The (huge) downside being that if the Precious Blood spills, there isn’t much to be done I read a very touching account of an Orthodox monastery, where after a pilgrim spilled, they spread alcohol gel on the marble floor and set it on fire.

Anyway, I’m not all set for an actual dress code, but it seems like asking for modesty and appropriateness is not clear to some people. Mardi gras beads? Cleavage? I mean, come on!

I can’t help but think that a lot of this has to do with the Real Presence. If we really, deeply, believe that Jesus is physically present with us, we will dress a certain way. Standards would relax with certain circumstances, but there would be a baseline.

I could not imagine going to Mass in shorts, myself, unless maybe very tailored shorts with a very nice top. Nope, can’t even imagine that. I prefer ankle-length skirts; I’m just frumpy But at least I never have to worry about accidental exposure!

I wonder if all the EMHCs and lectors and so forth were always modestly dressed, if it would filter down to everybody in the pews or not.

 

[Lepanto]

It seems as if people should be more concerned about whether they’re worthy to receive rather than what their EM’s wear.

These two topics are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are to some extent inter-related. The topic of this thread, however, is the latter of the two.

 

[nightwalker]

Just to catch me up on what is going on here, we are talking about Eucharistic Ministers? Right

I thought the thread was about EMHC’s, Eucharistic Ministers have a dress code:thumbsup:

 

[Anne1964]

Our Bishop just issued a document on the General Norms for the Celebration of the Sacred Liturgy of the Mass in the Forma Ordinaria.

In it he states “All liturgical ministers are to be dressed in attire that is befitting their ministry. T-shirts, shorts, tennis shoes or athletic shoes, and flip-flops are to be considered inappropriate attire.”

 

[maggiemay2u]

The leader of the EM’s was “Captain” at our liturgy last week. She was attired in well worn blue jeans and a shirt. The deacon’s wife was present on the altar. She wore a tank top, a skirt and sandals. The latter is a well endowed woman whose cleavage was very apparent. After the homily, she presented the new Stephen ministers to the congregation and gave them gifts. (This is mentioned only to demonstrate she was not passively seated in her revealing attire)
Other Em’s were wearing capri’s and sleeveless blouses with their sandals.

It was, I’ll grant, very warm, but I promise you, not one of these women would have shown up to meet the Pope in the clothing they felt was sufficient for the Blessed Sacrament.

 

[EasterJoy]

Oh, and “low-cut” is defined as “we all get an eyeful when you bow” That might be higher than you think! Try it in a mirror before you leave home.

It is also worth pointing out that what is sufficient coverage when you look straight into the mirror from 5’2" might not do the trick for those who see you from a vantage point of 6’4".