Letters

Printer-friendly versionSend to friendReasons for decline Editor: In the editorial in the March 7 St. Louis Review ("Where are the other nine?"), I read that the decline in membership in the Roman Catholic Church ("7.5 percent in the United States") is "a new phenomenon in the U.S. Catholic community." Two possible reasons were cited for the decline: "the Church’s role in clergy sexual abuse failings" and the "increasing secularization of our society." Both reasons may indeed be factors, even though the sex scandals have been public for only eight years and the secularization of our society didn’t accelerate, if memory serves, until the unveiling of color TV and the Mass in English. I don’t think color TV chased off any more Catholics than its black-and-white predecessor. But when the priest at Mass became a "presider" in a chair at the side of the altar — the better to observe the laity in all their new roles — that relegation may have affected both our membership and our priests. I wonder if there are any studies confirming or denying a correlation between the introduction of the Novus Ordo Mass and the decrease in Church membership in the United States in the last 40 years. Donal F. Mahoney Charlack Kids and Mass Editor: Thank you for printing the "Dear Father" column from Father Matthew Mitas regarding crying children at Mass (March 7). As the mother of a blended family of seven children, we have had our share of crying infants at church. I completely agree with sitting "down front." It may feel a little uncomfortable, but the kids can see what is going on. And when the children were babies, we took them out if we couldn’t comfort or control the crying. It is hard being a parent today. Some parishioners think children should more or less banned until they can control themselves. But how can they learn if they are not exposed? They are just as much part of the Body of Christ as are the adults. My only complaint is those who absolutely won’t take their uncontrolled crier out briefly or who bring noisy toys to church, causing resentment from others. I say, bring on the kids! We need them. Linda Campbell Ballwin Receiving Communion Editor: Two people wrote in (Feb. 29) about receiving Communion in the hand. As a eucharistic minister, I feel I must throw in my two cents. While I too, am humbled by many of the communicants, their devotion and respect leaves a lot to be desired. Some come up with their hands nearly on the floor, they are held so low. I sometimes don’t know if they are receiving on the tongue or in the hand. Others stand so far back I feel they must be afraid that I will bite. Sister told us in school that when we received Communion in the hand to hold our hands one atop the other. If right handed, the left was on top; that way we used our right hand to pick up the Host and place it in our mouth. She told us to make sure our hands were clean. She also told us to hold our hands just below where Father held the ciborium, out in front of our body so there was no doubt as to our wishes. Sister Mary Brendan, you should not have retired! When I was an altar server we had a plate to hold under the receiver’s chin to catch any Hosts that missed the mark. How I wish we had those today. I personally have never dropped a Host. I have had many near misses, so a little insurance would be nice. Robert Miller Wright City

Average: Select ratingPoorOkayGoodGreatAwesome

No votes yet