November 3, 2015
by Father Anthony Sorgie
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