What do you think ? Should Extraordinary ministers and other tasks in the Church be predominately men or woman?

[Orionthehunter]

Crumpy, I think you need consider some distinction.

There were 12 original Apostles. Until the last of the Original were to die, successors are referred to as Apostles. Their successors are referred to as Bishops.

Note the capitalization to describe a formal title. Mary of Magdela has always been affectionately called the apostle to the Apostles to honor her for being selected by God via the angel to carry the wonderful news to the Apostles that our Lord has raised.

This then takes me to your criticism of the flowery language in the Church or hyperbole as you call it. This has always been a tradition in the Church when discussing certain things, especially Mysteries of the Church. Have you ever read St. Louis de Monfort’s writing on the Blessed Mother? Or St. Theresa of Avila? Or St. Therese of Lisieux?

They use beautiful majestic language that lifts our hearts and minds to the glory of our God in an attempt to use the natural (words) to describe the supernatural.

Now to the point of this thread: Women have always had roles in the Church. One role that appears to be nearly always placed with women has been the care of the body of Jesus Christ. Whether it be Martha and Mary, Mary of Magdala, or the Holy Women when Jesus came down from the cross, the evidence abounds.

As a Church, we should never dismiss nor denigrate this special role given to women. In my opinion, having women participate in the distribution of Jesus’ Body in some ways recognizes this role. I don’t think it in any ways diminishes the roles given specifically to men.

 

[Crumpy]

I guess I’m just a cranky old guy. My aunt is an EME and when I was going to receive from the cup, which was her station, she started talking to me, right there, which makes me awkward.

Now, perhaps, it’s always been that way. Maybe I’m just a stuffed shirt and all that,

See? At the same time, in the same church, the ushers are directing people to communion. And, they have made a bit of extraordinary ritual to that. What happens is this, as you exit the pew into the aisle and into the communion line, the usher is greeting and shaking hands with everybody.

Now, see, part of my problem is that I took a microbiology class in college. And, I KNOW that if I shake his hand, I am effectively shaking hands and exchanging germs with EVERYBODY that he has shaken hands with. There’s PLENTY of time for this after Mass.

So. to stick to the thread, my point is this. Let’s stick as close as possible to the “script” – men and/or women as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, and there’s no church rule about who should “predominate” as suggested in the question of the original post.

By the way, the orginal question was, what do you think? so that’s a pretty broad thread to open. People have said what they’re thinking!

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

That’s OK Crumpy, we still love you, cuz if we got in a contest to see who was more cranky, I am afraid I might win.
Deacon Ed B

 

[CradleCath]

QUOTE=Crumpy;3407020]I guess I’m just a cranky old guy. My aunt is an EME and when I was going to receive from the cup, which was her station, she started talking to me, right there, which makes me awkward.

I have a friend who is an EEM. I swear to you she “serves” the Eucharist in EXACTLY the same way that she serves up her pot roast. I love her to death, but I try to avoid her line when I attend her Church.

 

[the_phoenix]

Men.

And I say this, being a woman.

It seems to be my experience that where the altar servers, lectors, ushers, etc. are male, there is both more reverence at (and quietness before) Mass towards God, and more courtesy among fellow parishioners in the pews.

Your mileage may vary.



~~ the phoenix

 

[Orionthehunter]

Men.

And I say this, being a woman.

It seems to be my experience that where the altar servers, lectors, ushers, etc. are male, there is both more reverence at (and quietness before) Mass towards God, and more courtesy among fellow parishioners in the pews.

Your mileage may vary.



~~ the phoenix

Is this a failing of the manner in which women perform their duties or

a failing in the congregation’s preparation for and participating in Mass and excessive improper concern about the gender of those assisting in the Mass?

 

[catherineajt]

I’m a woman and I grew up in a parish where only boys got to be altar servers. I don’t remember ever being bitter about not being an altar server. I was a bit envious, yes, because it seemed so ‘cool’ to be up there by the altar, wearing the robe. My brother, I thought, was not appreciative at all of the opportunity, grumbling at times when our mom nudged him to go back when there weren’t any altar servers that day.

The last Roman Catholic parish I attended, girls were allowed to be altar servers. Something about that didn’t sit right with me. It wasn’t until I studied Eastern Christianity, in which altar servers are considered the first step on becoming a priest, that it made sense. Why have girls as altar servers, when it is clear they will not be able to take the next step–reader, deacon, priest? It should be a form of training for potential priests.

The whole issue of Eucharistic ministers is moot in the Eastern church, since the priest uses the spoon to distribute the Blessed Sacrament, it is a tricky thing to learn and I have even encountered priests who do not distribute properly with the spoon.

Still, if I were asked, i would prefer only men serve at the altar, as well as read the epistle.

 

[KathleenElsie]

I’m a woman and I grew up in a parish where only boys got to be altar servers. I don’t remember ever being bitter about not being an altar server. I was a bit envious, yes, because it seemed so ‘cool’ to be up there by the altar, wearing the robe. My brother, I thought, was not appreciative at all of the opportunity, grumbling at times when our mom nudged him to go back when there weren’t any altar servers that day.

The last Roman Catholic parish I attended, girls were allowed to be altar servers. Something about that didn’t sit right with me. It wasn’t until I studied Eastern Christianity, in which altar servers are considered the first step on becoming a priest, that it made sense. Why have girls as altar servers, when it is clear they will not be able to take the next step–reader, deacon, priest? It should be a form of training for potential priests.

The whole issue of Eucharistic ministers is moot in the Eastern church, since the priest uses the spoon to distribute the Blessed Sacrament, it is a tricky thing to learn and I have even encountered priests who do not distribute properly with the spoon.

Still, if I were asked, i would prefer only men serve at the altar, as well as read the epistle.

well said.