Parish Going Back To Boys Only Altar Servers

[cmotherofpirl]

[url="http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-altar.girls6feb24,0,2468753.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines"]http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local...local-headlines[/url]

[cappie]

Quote from article : [i]"I think it's fun," said Jennifer Murillo, 12, who has been an altar girl for two years. "It's better than going to Mass and not doing anything."
[/i]

Doesn't say much for the sacramental programme or CCD

[Maggyie]

I can really appreciate this. They certainly aren't cutting the girls out of anything, since they've started what sounds like a wonderful "Handmaids of the Altar" program. At one point in the article it is stated that two of the girls

[quote]Both said they enjoy being in the Handmaids of the Altar program more than being altar girls because they get to do more activities and are separated from the boys.[/quote]
Single-sex activities tend to be the preference for kids, I think. As they get older and they start to *like* hanging out with the opposite sex, co-ed activities can generate a lot of "Young and the Restless" type romance and drama. That's my experience, anyway

Hopefully the sisterhood in the Handmaids program and the fraternity in the altar boy program will develop some great religious and priestly vocations

[Anomaly]

Not at all surprised that so many Catholics quoted felt it was sexist to eliminate Altar Girls and then provide the Handmaid program.

Kudos to the Bishop who had the fortitude to stand up and demonstrate being a different gender is not sexist. In my opinion, a large part of the sexual scandal as well as lack of vocations in the RC Church is rooted in the emasculation of the male's role as Clergy. What average kid wants to consider becoming a priest when it's percieved as being a Girlie-Man? Masculinity and Christianiaty are not at odds. Jesus picked Peter, not Paul, to lead the Church.

[catholicinsd]

That's freaking rediculous.

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

[quote name='Maggie' post='1206431' date='Mar 1 2007, 04:31 PM']I can really appreciate this. They certainly aren't cutting the girls out of anything, since they've started what sounds like a wonderful "Handmaids of the Altar" program.

Single-sex activities tend to be the preference for kids, I think. As they get older and they start to *like* hanging out with the opposite sex, co-ed activities can generate a lot of "Young and the Restless" type romance and drama. That's my experience, anyway

Hopefully the sisterhood in the Handmaids program and the fraternity in the altar boy program will develop some great religious and priestly vocations [/quote]
This sounds pretty cool I hope it inspires many vocations and helps many realize their own individual call to holiness!
This has also inspired me to talk with my youth minister about possibly having a young ladies retreat night and one for the young men as well. I think that it really could be amazing

[Mercy me]

I really think that it is a great idea. The bishop needs to be aplauded for his creating solution to the issue.

[Apotheoun]

I pray that the Dominical and Apostolic Tradition of male only altar service be restored throughout the Roman Church.

[Maggyie]

[quote name='Mercy me' post='1206715' date='Mar 2 2007, 12:26 AM']I really think that it is a great idea. The bishop needs to be aplauded for his creating solution to the issue.[/quote]

I think it's the pastor of the parish that came up with it, although his bishop seems ok with the idea... So much depends on the pastors! I would like to see something similar in my home parish, but I don't think my pastor would go for it. He is a good guy and everything, but it's not his style

[CatholicCid]

I think this is great and hope many other parishes start looking at it. Two different programs, yet both allow for a great service in the Church.

[DemonSlayer]

I wouldn't even think that being an altar server influenced kids to enter the seminary later on these days anymore.

[KnightofChrist]

This is as it should be, only boys can become "daddys."

[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='DemonSlayer' post='1206787' date='Mar 2 2007, 05:30 AM']I wouldn't even think that being an altar server influenced kids to enter the seminary later on these days anymore.[/quote]

I imagine that's because these days most men don't go to seminary until after college or military. By your mid-20s, the days of being an altar server are a distant memory

[mroger]

I like the old phorum better...much better. This one isn't as easy to look at or follow. makes me kind of dizzy too.

Mother of Pearl - I like the Oroborous!! It's one of my favorite eastern symbols.

[Groo the Wanderer]

My daughter would HATE this, since she is an alter server at my parish. In fact, about 80% of the alter servers are girls.

Boys simply aren't coming forward to do this. Probably because nobody seems to know that the position was originally intended to be a step in priestly formation.

Methinks that this should ONLY be done the way it is presented by this particular priest - you MUST give the girls an alternative if you are going to take this away from them. My daughter and many of my students serve with passion out of love for God and Church. Not one has any idea of it leading to a future priesthood or of any connection to the masculinity/femininity roles of the priest/Church.

Perhaps the role has simply changed? Notice they are called alter servers and not acolytes. It would not be the only role to change - don't forget how deacons virtually disappeared for many many centuries.