Funky Dung travelled north after Christmas Not real sure why he didn’t stop by to say hello, but we’ll let it slide this once. As you’ll read in his post, he wasn’t really thrilled with his visit to northwestern Pennsylvania’s diocese. I’ve mentioned in passing before that the Erie Church stands too much, and it came up again in the comments on his entry. The other night at RCIA, one of the members of the team asked Father why they do that.
The answer was pretty vague on the whole, and I tried to search the Erie website to see if the bishop had written a letter on the subject when the change was made, but the site was lacking. I couldn’t find anything other than the bishop’s office information. (Point: Pittsburgh)
So, the summary of the summary was that the bishop is allowed to make changes he thinks will benefit the faith community as a whole. As to why the bishop felt this change was necessary, the reason given was something about processing and being ready to move. Also that standing was more appropriate than kneeling.
Matt adds: It has to do with standing being ready to take action, and that communion was taking faith into action or something along those lines.
Basically, I should have taken notes, but either way I didn’t agree with the answer we were given. It makes attending Mass a little more difficult. Father did make sure to point out that we are by no means required to stand. I don’t like to stick out in the crowd, though, so it definitely makes it more awkward for me.
Anyone out there want to help make me feel better about kneeling by pointing me to some more concrete reasons *to* kneel? My best defense now is that it’s a 20+ year habit and it feels wrong to not kneel & thank God for the gift of the Eucharist.
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