What would you do if your new pastor imposed a uniform for lay liturgical ministers?

[TheLittleLady]

Wondering who is going to pay for these clothes. Guess if the readers, EMHCs were paid staff then we could require uniforms. The way it stands, they are volunteers. Good thing that the volunteers are grown ups at our parish!

 

[AngelusDomini]

In answer to the poll I would say, “Not angry but disappointed that it has come to this yet I would ‘hang in there’.”

 

[Horton]

I wouldn’t like it. A much better approach would be for the parish counsel and the clergy to set a standard in the training of the laity who serve at Mass. Included in that training would be appropriate attire for readers, EMCHs, & ushers.

In my current parish I’m not sure if there is a dress code for servers since I don’t serve at Mass, but I’ve never seen anything inappropriate worn. Some a little casual for my standards but that is my issue.

 

[Duesenberg]

Men all wearing white shirts, black pants and ties might be mistaken for Mormons. Our LDS friends seem to have a problem with wearing non-white shirts, at least when engaged in religious activities.

White dress shirts with dark trousers is a classic look.

 

[Duesenberg]

I wouldn’t like it. A much better approach would be for the parish counsel and the clergy to set a standard in the training of the laity who serve at Mass. Included in that training would be appropriate attire for readers, EMCHs, & ushers.

One problem is see with that is garb that is clearly unacceptable for wear as a liturgical minister, yet could technically be OK under most dress codes. I’ve seen women wear “dresses with scarfs” that looked remarkably like off-white albs with priestly stoles when they were scheduled to read or distribute communion. How do you craft a dress code with would prohibit such garb unless you define a uniform?

 

[Duesenberg]

To be honest I don’t care if someone reading is wearing shorts and a T-shirt as I’m hearing Scripture not evaluating their dress sense.

I do. That shows disrespect for the Mass and thus God.

as cassocks are made to measure and do not show any trouser leg anyway,

I would guess at least 95%+ of all cassocks marketed to altar servers are not bespoke. Most are simply child’s sizes plus XS-XXL sor so.

To have a certain dress code for readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion just seems a bit ‘cultish’ to me.

By definition, the Catholic Church IS A cult! Good grief I detest seeing that word misused as a pejorative!

 

[Gertabelle]

We have an amazing pastor at my parish.

If he thought this was necessary, of course I’d comply (although my white “blouse” would be a white t-shirt with some lace added to it, including a collar – don’t get all upset that a t-shirt doesn’t have a collar, I know it doesn’t).

Now, if the OP came to my parish and started suggesting that we have some sort of uniform for liturgical ministers, I’d be more than a little annoyed, to say the least.

From what I know of my pastor, he wouldn’t like that sort of interference either.

@duesenberg You seem to really, really, REALLY want this uniform to be implemented at your parish it seems. This is the second thread you’ve started on the subject after all.

Have you tried speaking with your pastor about it?

 

[Duesenberg]

In answer to the poll I would say, “Not angry but disappointed that it has come to this yet I would ‘hang in there’.”

That’s covered by “Quiet (but perhaps not too happy) compliance.”

 

[DarkLight]

The main thing for me is that I’m not going to want to buy new clothes just for Mass. Money is tight, and buying a shirt that I’m probably not going to wear other than to help out at Mass is going to be a major issue for me.

 

[Duesenberg]

You seem to really, really, REALLY want this uniform to be implemented at your parish it seems. This is the second thread you’ve started on the subject after all.

Have you tried speaking with your pastor about it?

Well, you’re wrong. But I am interested why issues that negatively impact the celebration of the liturgy go unchecked in some parishes? Someone on CAF mentioned that their parish has a uniform (something similar to what I described above) and that it works well. I’m curious why other parishes that have problems with liturgical ministers wearing inappropriate garb simply don’t define uniforms for lay ministers? I’m curious where the resistance (if any) lies?

Cost (in those rare instances where it’s actually an issue) can be overcome. The “cult” attack is just silly. I was just trying to see how people would respond if such a uniform was required?

 

[Gertabelle]

Thanks for clarifying.

I guess I just don’t see “those parishes that have problems” around here. There might be an occasional liturgical minister who is a bit under-dressed in one way or another.

But I just haven’t seen anyplace where there is a culture of such disregard as you suggest here.

Anyway, need to be getting back to writing that novel… (what was I thinking! )

 

[AngelusDomini]

To be honest I don’t care if someone reading is wearing shorts and a T-shirt as I’m hearing Scripture not evaluating their dress sense.

I do. That shows disrespect for the Mass and thus God.

AngelusDomini:

as cassocks are made to measure and do not show any trouser leg anyway,

I would guess at least 95%+ of all cassocks marketed to altar servers are not bespoke. Most are simply child’s sizes plus XS-XXL sor so.

AngelusDomini:

To have a certain dress code for readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion just seems a bit ‘cultish’ to me.

By definition, the Catholic Church IS A cult! Good grief I detest seeing that word misused as a pejorative!

And if those happen to be the only attire in the reader’s wardrobe? Whilst outward clothing may show respect it does not reflect the interior respect in the heart. There are numerous scripture references to this too. If you’re prepared to make the call that someone is disrepecting the Holy Sacrifice and God by their attire, go for it. I wouldn’t be so bold.

Invest in a range of cassocks to fit a range of sizes if it is that big a deal. I have often served in ‘away’ parishes and most cassocks have only two inches difference of length. Longer cassocks may be adapted easily with a cincture or belt.

Whilst the Catholic Church may still be ‘cultus’ the modern usage of the word is quite different. If you take offence at that my apologies, though I suspect it is merely a matter of personal preference.

 

[Gertabelle]

Cost (in those rare instances where it’s actually an issue) can be overcome.

That’s often true if the pastor asks. Whether it’s a monetary donation, or a donation of time to tailor (which a few of us in the parish are very good at), or something else – if Father asks, people step up to help.

 

[Irishmom2]

Missing option: None of the above.

 

[DarkLight]

I think it might go over better if you sought a little more (name removed by moderator)ut on the uniform. You sound very much like you’re writing from a male perspective. From a female perspective for me, a modest white top with a collar might not be that easy. I’ve mentioned before that white can often be see-through. Also, women’s dress shirts, even modest shirts, aren’t usually collared shirts. Most women’s polos just look sloppy, and button-down shirts are a pain if you’re not the right proportions (not just size).

Meeting the dress code as written could easily mean I need a $40 or $50 shirt. A pair of dress pants is another probably $50 to get ones that actually fit, although in my case I do have that.

 

[AngelusDomini]

That’s covered by “Quiet (but perhaps not too happy) compliance.”

No, as the word ‘compliance’ is in there - I wouldn’t be wearing the uniform. I teach High school children, I’m not one myself.

 

[Gertabelle]

DarkLight:

The main thing for me is that I’m not going to want to buy new clothes just for Mass.

You can’t pull together a simple white top, black pants or skirt and a pair of black shoes? Really?

You don’t know another person’s circumstances. It is really, really inappropriate to question their ability to balance their own budget in real-life circumstances.

 

[Duesenberg]

Missing option: None of the above.

Nope, definitely not a “missing” option. I took a statistics class in polling/sampling one time. The “none of the above” choice can have adverse effects on polls. I wanted to avoid that. The poll is well designed.

 

[Duesenberg]

You don’t know another person’s circumstances. It is really, really inappropriate to question their ability to balance their own budget in real-life circumstances.

I asked an honest question. Please don’t try to stir things up.

If there is real financial need, I am sure most parishes would cover the minimal cost.

 

[Irishmom2]

You only offer choices as you want included. Very clearly you have not covered all the bases in your options. You are free to post your choices, but they are not complete just because they are complete to you.