Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 161.  Wed 10-16-91 18:12  (NO KILL)  (MAILED)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: John Vanderwyden
 Subject: Liturgical changes

³ Father ,, I unfortunately left the our Holy Mother , the Church in my
³ young adult life for reasons that seem invalid now, however the point is I
³ did return with much love and joy on my part.  I was a daily communicant
³ for the first year back and cant reaaly tell you how happu I am to beback.
³ Here is the big questions? Why did the Church do away with the communion
³ railings, knelling to receive the Eucharist, and add communion in the hand
³ and Tabernacle off to the side.  Also if there is a choir at a special
³ feast or Christmas Mass, instead of singing to the altar, They (the choir
³ ) faces us the fatihful and sings to us, almost in variety show fashion.
³ I must tell you, I was shocked with a capital "S" the first day back at
³ mass.  I go several times a week and have not lost sight of the Mass and
³ what it is, however all these changes seem to have taken the sublime and
³ beautiful and turned it into the ordinary, at least on the visual level,
³ Thenk you Father, for taking the time to read and respond.  I am sure that
³ you must have had this question several times before.
³  
 
Dear John,
 
"The Church" did not remove communion railings.  This was done on
private initiative.  In the church where I offer Mass regularly there
is a communion railing.  But there is a catch: people now have the
option of receiving Communion in the hand or on the tongue.  This
freedom is better cared for by people coming in a line up to the priest
to receive.
 
In it instruction of April 17, 1980 the Congregation of the Sacraments
and Divine Worship wrote: "With regard to the manner of going to
Communion, the faithful can receive it either kneeling of standing, in
accordance with the norms laid down by the episcopal conference: 'When
the faithful communicate kneeling, no other sign of reverence is
required, since kneeling is itself a sign of adoration.  When they
receive Communion standing, it is strongly recommended that coming up
in procession, they should make a sign of reverence before receiving
the Sacrament.  This should be done at the right time and place, so
that the order of people going to and from Communion is not
disrupted.'"
 
I notice that people coming up to Communion will sometimes bow or
genuflect or make the Sign of the Cross. A few knell on both knees to
receive.
 
Many churches and cathedrals in continental Europe, including St.
Peter's in Rome, do not have the tabernacle on or near the main alter.
In large churches there may be a special Blessed Sacrament chapel; in
small ones, a side altar is reserved for the tabernacle.  Keeping the
main altar ONLY for the Eucharistic action calls attention to the
entirely special character of that action.  It also emphasizes that
NOTHING else should command our attention during Mass but the
Sacrifice.  I must note that in our church and several near by
parishes, the tabernacle is still on the old main altar, with the altar
of Sacrifice up front and center.  This arrangement causes the priest
to stand with his back to the tabernacle.
 
The choir should face the altar, it seems to me, but I know of no
regulation about it.  However, instead of thinking of a variety show,
why not think of Handel's "Messiah"?  In this and other oratories,
which are sung prayer, the choir faces the people.
 
I can't say "why" some of these things happen.  I only urge you not to
be quick to blame "the Church".  Rome is not always responsible.
Become a member of the parish liturgy committee and urge your ideas.
 
You may have heard the question: "What's the difference between a
liturgist and a terrorist?"  The answer is: "You can negotiate with a
terrorist."
 
                        Sincerely in Christ,
 
                        Father Mateo