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Our church is modern but traditional in design. The tabernacle is not on the roodscreen or built into the altar, but it's at the head of the aisle on the Epistle side, and it's very large and conspicuous - since it's about the size of a small refrigerator and is carved in the shape of a church and covered with gold leaf . . . . Just about everybody does due reverence to the tabernacle when they come in.

On the other hand, there is a GORGEOUS church downtown which is very old and very traditional, has a beautiful High Altar hand carved in marble that fills the entire east wall. Unfortunately this beautiful church is inhabited by a bunch of hippie Franciscans, and they hauled the tabernacle out and shoved it off into a corner where it cannot even be seen from the nave. There's a big blank spot where it used to be.

Even the loony Episcopalians allow ad orientem celebration in historical churches. Do some Catholic bishops allow this as well?

Nice start, but how about something more specific? Like “In the Main, in the front”? The Presider’s chair should not be replacing the tabernacle. And for heaven’s sake, stop bowing to the Bible and ignoring the tabernacle! I want my kids to hug me, not my notes about their chores.

I was at a parish in Caseville, MI two weekends ago.
Not only was there NO tabernacle to be found, but the “Hostesses” (yes, that was what they were called in the bulletin) removed all vessels from the altar and whisked them away to be cleaned in the back room. I’m praying it was the Priest who did it, but I doubt it. The Priest encouraged everyone to “Join hands, come on! Join hands!” for the Our Father and when the cantor sang the Agnus Dei there was a little chime after each verse. My DH labeled it “Light Rock meets a Game Show”. They did the Kyrie in Greek, but didn’t sing Christe Eleison. Maybe they didn’t get that memo. This was Saginaw Diocese so it’s a bit forgivable.

(And what is it with liberal parishes singing “Amazing Grace” and “Here I am Lord”? Everyone we go to does them.)

Anyway, last weekend we were at a parish in Wellington Ohio. Glass goblets, pottery vessels, Altar girls who walked the vessels to a back room eventhough the tabernacle was in the main. But the kicker was the “Happy” Priest who gladhanded everyone in the first two rows around the parish. Even my 11 year old was uncomfortable with that. But guess what they did have? Patens!!!! I guess there is a little good everywhere!

I will be happy to be back in my parish this weekend.

My church in Stamford, St. John's the evangelist has a high altar w/ the tabernacle in it. The priests do the old-style genuflection each time they cross the tabernacle. Every Sunday, one mass is celebrated ad orientam w/ polyphony and chant.

My wedding was ad orientam with a four part sung Latin propers.

All the masses are NO.