Our Common Church Practices

I thought that I would do an article today that reminds us of some of our practices in Church that we should remind ourselves and teach our children:

• We dip our hands in Holy Water and bless ourselves as we enter and leave church to remind us of our Baptism.
• ™™ When Catholics enter or leave a church or chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is present we genuflect on our right knee or a profound bow at the waist.™
• ™ We should wear clothing in Church that is worthy of worshipping God. I just ask you to think about what you would wear if you had to spend an hour with the President. You and I have a greater than any president in our Church. Men and boys do not wear hats in church. ™™
• We abstain from food and drink (except water) one hour before Mass. For medical reasons this can be dispensed.
• We should not be eating or gum chewing during Mass, even when we are not receiving Holy Communion.
• Before you reach the priest, deacon or extraordinary minister to receive Holy Communion, you should bow in reverence to the Lord that you are about to receive. ™
• ™ When we choose to receive communion in the hands, we make a throne of our hands by putting one hand over the other and spread the palm of our hand flat, to receive him. ™
• ™ When we return from Holy Communion we should kneel and make a Thanksgiving for all that the Lord has done for us.™
• ™ We should say all the prayers of the Mass and sing the proper parts with full-throated participation.
• Please turn off all cellular phones and other stray chit chat while people are trying to pray and fully participate in the Liturgy.

Father Anthony Domenic Sorgie