Communion Plates

On Communion Plates, Redemptionis Sacramentum has this to say

The Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful should be retained, so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or some fragment of it falling

Firstly, your blogger rarely sees so many altar servers. Secondly, your blogger rarely sees communion-plates. You can imagine how heartwarming it was to see 10 altar servers at Mass today (in another parish, not my own), each holding a communion-plate. Furthermore it was at a parish smaller than my own.

Table of Plenty

You know that song that goes "Come to the feast of Heaven and Earth, Come to the Table of Plenty" ? Here's why we think it is secular.

on volunteerism

Your blogger's parish priest has recently introduced a mass recruitment exercise, handing out forms to encourage people to join church groups - Legion of Mary, Wardens, Canteen, Choir(s), etc etc. What was puzzling to me was that there was another section, "other voluntary work", which included categories such as electrical work, plumbing work, gardening, transport, tailoring.

I had a peek in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). CCC 2434 says

A just wage is the legitimate fruit of work. To refuse or withhold it can be a grave injustice.

I don't know how the finances of a parish are run. However, it would seem to me that if a plumber had a choice between two similar jobs, one paid and one voluntary, then the logical choice in order to pay bills and the rent is to go for the paid job.

Professions like electricians, plumbers, musicians etc etc require specialized knowledge, constant training and experience in order for them to make a living, pay the bills and put food on the table. I see no reason to deny them a proper fee (or a reduced fee, if the parish is short of cash).

UPDATE: Thinking about it again, I realized that my stand is not clear. I will not object if any plumber/tailor/electrician/musician/chef etc etc willingly volunteers his services for free. My difficulty is that the service form suggests that these services should be performed for free. Or to put it in this way, "you're a plumber/musician/chef/tailor, why don't you help the church?". More often than not, its a means for these people (and for many, the sole means) to earn a living. Therefore, I am arguing in this post that the services should not, as a general rule, be performed for free, in recognition of this simple fact.

Vatican II

Dumping some links for the benefit of all.

at Pontifications: Living Vatican II

at Pertinacious Papist: Why Vatican II was a good thing

CIC 212

According to the Codex Iuris Canonici,

Can. 212 ß1 Christ's faithful, conscious of their own responsibility, are bound to show Christian obedience to what the sacred Pastors, who represent Christ, declare as teachers of the faith and prescribe as rulers of the Church.

ß2 Christ's faithful are at liberty to make known their needs, especially their spiritual needs, and their wishes to the Pastors of the Church.

ß3 They have the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church. They have the right also to make their views known to others of Christ's faithful, but in doing so they must always respect the integrity of faith and morals, show due reverence to the Pastors and take into account both the common good and the dignity of individuals.

Norman pointed out that this canon is good reason for us to write to His Grace (when he's back from the Synod) to make our spiritual needs known.

Since he is so concerned with catering to the needs of his faithful, particularly to youths, we ought to tell him that as his youths some of us need the indult to be given for the traditional Latin Mass.

That is, of course, he does not quote back the same Canon and say, "I am the sacred Pastor, I represent Christ, I declare and prescribe, and your job is to obey."

The Angelus

At the beginning of this year, your blogger was at an archdiocesan event.

Priest. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
People. *mumbles*.
Priest looks up.
Priest. Okay, let's try again. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
People. *mumbles*.
Priest. Okay, looks like you guys don't know it. Let's try something else.

I'm sure you know what I am trying to memorize next.