Dear Parishioners,

At the direction of the diocesan bishop our posture for liturgy had changed in the recent months from kneeling to standing at the reception of Holy Communion. We learned:

During Mass, we assume different postures – standing, kneeling, and sitting. These postures are not merely ceremonial. They have profound meaning when done with understanding.

STANDING
From the earliest days of the church, this posture has been understood as the stance of those who have risen with Christ and seek the things which are above. By baptism we have all been given a fuller share in the life of God and the posture of standing is an acknowledgement of this wonderful gift. Standing is a sign of respect and honor, so we stand as the celebrant who represents Christ, enters and leaves the assembly. We stand when we address God in the various prayers of the Mass; we assume our full stature before God, not in pride, but in humble gratitude for the marvelous things God has done in creating and redeeming each on of us. We stand for the proclamation of the Gospel which recalls the words and deeds of the Lord. The bishops of the United States have chosen standing as the normative posture to be observed for the reception of communion. (GIRM 160)

KNEELING
In the early Church, kneeling signified penance. So thoroughly was kneeling identified with penance that the early Christians were forbidden to kneel on Sundays and during the Easter season, when the prevailing spirit of the Liturgy was one of joy and thanksgiving. In the Middle Ages, kneeling came to signify homage, and more recently this posture has come to signify adoration, especially before the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It is for this reason that the bishops of this country have chosen the posture of kneeling during the entire Eucharistic Prayer.

SITTING
Sitting is the posture of listening and meditation, so the assembly sits for the pre-Gospel readings and the homily and may also sit for the period of mediation following Communion. All should strive to assume a seated posture during the Mass that is attentive rather than merely at rest.

I understand very well that some changes, in any walk of life, can be difficult or resisted. I want to thank you for embracing this STANDING (if you are able) CHANGE to show our unity in worship.

I also want to share a recent reflection from a parishioner on her experience of this new change!

Dear Father Jim and Jeff Mills,

I wanted to share with you a beautiful experience I had at mass this past Sunday at 10:00 simply because I think it’s good to share these moments.

It was during communion. The hymn playing was “How Beautiful”. I am particularly touched by this song every time I hear it.  There is a reason for this, but, that’s another story!

Anyway, from my standing position, I was able to look around and feel very united to all of us who stand together to come and receive the Lord in the Eucharist. As the words of the song captured my heart, I found myself gazing at the faces of all those around me and across the church. I was overcome with great love and compassion as I realized, in a deeper way, how beautiful, indeed, is the Body of Christ, all of us gathered as one.

Had I been kneeling at this time, enclosed in my own personal prayer, I could not have received this gift of graced awareness for which I am very grateful.

Change can be hard as we work to incorporate the new and let go of the old, but, I have come to appreciate more and more the freedom that comes with surrender. Little by little, I am a work in progress.

Many blessings,
Father Jim