LittleIzumi Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 I thought you were asking about yourself. How many random pullouts can one man be a part of in a Catholic service, after all? :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 I just found out on wikipedia there's still one American diocese (RC) that doesn't accept girls as altar servers. (Lincoln, Nebraska). That doesn't surprise me at all. I grew up in Nebraska, in the Omaha diocese, the Lincoln diocese was always known to be VERY slow to change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted July 10, 2011 Author Share Posted July 10, 2011 Bill when you said , what exactly were you doing for Communion? Were you handing out the host? Or holding a candle? Or helping the priest to wash his hands before communion? My function was to hold the platen. I marched in the procession and then attended the Bishop by holding the heavy tray loaded with communion wafers while he performed the Eucharist. There was a massive turn-out in the Cathedral and many parishioners received communion. It was quite beautiful, and I tried to do a good job. I most certainly did not distribute the host. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albeto Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 My function was to hold the platen. I marched in the procession and then attended the Bishop by holding the heavy tray loaded with communion wafers while he performed the Eucharist. There was a massive turn-out in the Cathedral and many parishioners received communion. It was quite beautiful, and I tried to do a good job. I most certainly did not distribute the host. Bill "paten" In a Tridentine Mass only the priest gets this honor. So nope, no Tridentine Mass. But I will say, for many Roman Catholics, they are truly beautiful experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted July 10, 2011 Author Share Posted July 10, 2011 "paten" In a Tridentine Mass only the priest gets this honor. So nope, no Tridentine Mass. But I will say, for many Roman Catholics, they are truly beautiful experiences. Yes, paten. Mea Culpa :D I did feel very honored to be included. I realize in retrospect I probably ought to have declined the invitation. I hope no one here is too offended, I took on the task in a good spirit. It remains a very special memory. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albeto Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Yes, paten. Mea Culpa :D First time I saw one I thought it was called a plate. Bad albeto. I did feel very honored to be included. I realize in retrospect I probably ought to have declined the invitation. I hope no one here is too offended, I took on the task in a good spirit. It remains a very special memory. Bill As a former deliriously happy Roman Catholic, it sounds to me like a positively beautiful experience and I'm happy you got to have that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted July 10, 2011 Author Share Posted July 10, 2011 First time I saw one I thought it was called a plate. Bad albeto. As a former deliriously happy Roman Catholic, it sounds to me like a positively beautiful experience and I'm happy you got to have that. It was pretty awesome. I am not a supernaturalist by nature, but that evening I was in an unusually thoughtful mood and my wife and I had a long and fruitful discussion of about the positive innovations of the teaching of Jesus and he changed the world. I was definitely feeling in touch with my inner-Catholic. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 (edited) Oh good gravy! :D Bill (who will wait for some traditionalist to show up :tongue_smilie:) :lol: Audrey actually had the right answer - altar server. :) Just to add more confusion, it's possible that the altar server is also a deacon. Deacons are ordained, like priests, but may be married. They may not marry if they are single when becoming a deacon, and they can't remarry if their wife dies - but exceptions are made when children are young. Deacons can do much of what a priest does, except for the consecration, Sacrament of Reconciliation - and I'm sure there's another thing or two. But if he's not involved in celebrating the Mass, he could serve as an altar server. I'm just surprised that there would be a Mass celebrated by a Bishop and the details of altar servers wouldn't have been worked out ahead of time. Was he distributing Communion? If so, he would be a Eucharistic Minister. A Eucharistic Minister may also be a deacon. :) The Eucharistic Ministers are in the pews like everyone else until it's time for the Communion. ETA: I wrote all of the above before reading through the thread ... again. :tongue_smilie: Sounds like it was a very special Mass and one which you will always remember. God works in mysterious ways. :) Edited July 10, 2011 by Teachin'Mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Kirsten~ Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Yes, paten. Mea Culpa :D I did feel very honored to be included. I realize in retrospect I probably ought to have declined the invitation. I hope no one here is too offended, I took on the task in a good spirit. It remains a very special memory. Bill It's so funny that this all comes up, because when I initially read your post and remembered the story about Italy, I thought it was fascinating that you have managed to have "all" these unusual experiences at Catholic Masses! :lol: I was almost envious! Now, I'm definitely envious of the experience in Florence (and nice to know about the rockin' robes). But I don't think you need to apologize at all. You participated in good conscience, in my not-so-expert opinion. You had proper intent, (from my perspective) the utmost respect, and what I would call a miraculous spiritual experience. But now we all know, Bill was an altar boy. :tongue_smilie: (Because really, that title feels much more fun than a more proper name in this case.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted July 11, 2011 Author Share Posted July 11, 2011 :lol: Audrey actually had the right answer - altar server. :) By golly' date=' she did. I'm just surprised that there would be a Mass celebrated by a Bishop and the details of altar servers wouldn't have been worked out ahead of time. Was he distributing Communion? If so, he would be a Eucharistic Minister. A Eucharistic Minister may also be a deacon. :) The Eucharistic Ministers are in the pews like everyone else until it's time for the Communion. He was actually a Cardinal Archbishop, Silvano Piovanelli. Nice guy. I don't know what the problem was with needing a last-minute altar-server (do people not show up when they are supposed to?) but when they needed me I answered the call :D ETA: I wrote all of the above before reading through the thread ... again. :tongue_smilie: Sounds like it was a very special Mass and one which you will always remember. God works in mysterious ways. :) It remains a very cherished memory. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted July 11, 2011 Author Share Posted July 11, 2011 It's so funny that this all comes up, because when I initially read your post and remembered the story about Italy, I thought it was fascinating that you have managed to have "all" these unusual experiences at Catholic Masses! :lol: I was almost envious! Now, I'm definitely envious of the experience in Florence (and nice to know about the rockin' robes). But I don't think you need to apologize at all. You participated in good conscience, in my not-so-expert opinion. You had proper intent, (from my perspective) the utmost respect, and what I would call a miraculous spiritual experience. But now we all know, Bill was an altar boy. :tongue_smilie: (Because really, that title feels much more fun than a more proper name in this case.) At the end of the day I was kind of hoping I could claim I was an "altar boy" :D Alter-server don't have the same ring. Thank you for the other kind words. I really appreciate it! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Yep, 'cause that was the term at the time. I just found out on wikipedia there's still one American diocese (RC) that doesn't accept girls as altar servers. (Lincoln, Nebraska). Yes that diocese is exceptionally deviant and you should see the number of priests who have been named and sued as sexual abusers in that diocese. Right next door to our former diocese and frankly it is a mess. Kiddie porn on the computer one month and the perp is still wearing a collar and working around children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 The scenario is the person conducting the Eucharist is a Bishop, and the "adult altar boy" (for lack of a better term) is a person plucked out of the "audience" (for lack of a better term) and pressed into service as an attendant. No Deacons involved. Bill Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion? http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=297094 One must be trained (know what's happening and how to help). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 The attendant had no formal training, was not a seminarian, but was just a person pulled from from the "audience" and asked to participate. Bill Oh. Never mind my previous post. (I should read everything before I post! Obviously.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlifemom Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I remember that story. I thought it was beautiful. Yes, you should not have done it, but who knows, maybe that inner catholic will come out someday. Perhaps you were predestined. :D Pam [who apparently would rather mix denominations than metaphors :tongue_smilie:] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhappyjoyjoy Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 :lol: . I'm just surprised that there would be a Mass celebrated by a Bishop and the details of altar servers wouldn't have been worked out ahead of time. Was he distributing Communion? If so' date=' he would be a Eucharistic Minister. A Eucharistic Minister may also be a deacon. :) The Eucharistic Ministers are in the pews like everyone else until it's time for the Communion. [/quote'] That's because you have never lived in Italy. Trust me, as someone who has, that does not surprise me in the least. So my ? for Bill is what made you ask this today? Just reminiscing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhappyjoyjoy Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Yep, 'cause that was the term at the time. I just found out on wikipedia there's still one American diocese (RC) that doesn't accept girls as altar servers. (Lincoln, Nebraska). My diocese, Arlington, was the last to recently allow them, but it is up to the pastor. We frequent two parishes; one allows them and one doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyR Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 As a Roman Catholic, the term is now an alter server. Anyone from usually grade 3 ( 8 or 9 yrs old) and up are allowed to serve as an alter server. This can both be boys and girls, women and men. A Deacon is someone who assists the priest. The first Deaconate was created in the Acts of the Apostles shortly after Christ rose to Heaven. In one day the apostles had baptized over 3,000 people. So they realized that they needed help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 That's because you have never lived in Italy. Trust me, as someone who has, that does not surprise me in the least. So my ? for Bill is what made you ask this today? Just reminiscing? Sadly that's true. But something I'd be more than happy to change! :D I'd also like to know why the question now. Maybe he'd like to join the Catholic Bible study. Ya never know ... :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyR Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 (edited) Chances are their original alter server(s) were a no show. This happens. Today my oldest was "plucked" out because one of the girls got sick when she got to church and couldn't serve. So that could have been why the alter server was "plucked" out. Sometimes they've actually have had children not show up for whatever reason too. Also those who are signed up to be alter servers are not pressed into serving. If you sign up then its your duty to help, but in the same breath you are not forced to serve. With a bishop doing a Mass though they may have talked him into it because they may of needed someone to serve. But no one is ever forced to do something that they don't want to do. Even if he wasn't a signed up alter server , they knew enough that he had been or had served in the past to ask him to help. So what may of seemed like "plucking" really was asking for help when they needed a server. Edited July 11, 2011 by TracyR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhappyjoyjoy Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Sadly that's true. But something I'd be more than happy to change! :D I'd also like to know why the question now. Maybe he'd like to join the Catholic Bible study. Ya never know ... :) Is there a Catholic Bible study here?? Please share. I'm doing the Great Adventure Bible Study at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted July 11, 2011 Author Share Posted July 11, 2011 (edited) That's because you have never lived in Italy. Trust me, as someone who has, that does not surprise me in the least. So my ? for Bill is what made you ask this today? Just reminiscing? Well, my son reached The Age of Reason today (7) so in the run-up I've been in touch with my inner-Catholic :D Bill Edited July 11, 2011 by Spy Car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhappyjoyjoy Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Well, my son reached The Age of Reason today (7) so in the run-up I've been in touch win my inner-Catholic :D Bill :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleIzumi Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 :lol: Happy birthday to him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.