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Peeved Parishioners Leaving SF Catholic Church Over Ban On Girls As Altar Servers
CBS San Francisco ^ | 1/23/15 | Dan Lin

Posted on 01/24/2015 12:45:37 PM PST by marshmallow

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — A Bay Area church is now under fire over a controversial new policy saying only boys can be altar servers.

The new practice is making waves at the century old church Star of the Sea. Since the ’70s, they’ve used altar girls during masses.

The well-known Richmond District church also has a school serving about 230 kids. When the new priest banned girls from being altar servers, it generated outrage among parents and parishioners alike. The priest admits some parishioners even left the church.

“It’s disturbing,” said churchgoer Connie Porciuncula.

Star of the Sea School parent Tara Widmer agrees. “They’re definitely taking a step in the wrong direction,” she said.

Father Joseph Illo took over five months ago and decided to train only boys to be altar servers. He said he has no choice but to exclude girls because the future of the church is at stake.

“The specifics of serving at the altar is a priestly function,” Illo said. “And the Catholic church does not ordain women.”

But many parishioners and parents criticize the new practice saying it sends the wrong message.

“It just kind of makes me feel that I’m not good enough because I’m a girl,” said a 7th grader at the school who wishes to stay anonymous.

(Excerpt) Read more at sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS:
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To: Legatus

+1


41 posted on 01/24/2015 3:25:06 PM PST by Bigg Red (Let's put the ship of state on Cruz Control with Ted Cruz.)
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To: jtal

The pastor is doing the right thing. God bless him and give us many more like him.

***
Amen!


42 posted on 01/24/2015 3:26:01 PM PST by Bigg Red (Let's put the ship of state on Cruz Control with Ted Cruz.)
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To: paterfamilias

Well said.


43 posted on 01/24/2015 3:27:06 PM PST by Bigg Red (Let's put the ship of state on Cruz Control with Ted Cruz.)
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To: workerbee

Well said!


44 posted on 01/24/2015 3:28:21 PM PST by Bigg Red (Let's put the ship of state on Cruz Control with Ted Cruz.)
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To: Bigg Red

Apparently on the Religion board, it’s bad to use a “naughty” word, but ugly bigot-magnet smears are A-OK. It does make one question one’s financial contribution to this conservative, ostensibly Christian forum.


45 posted on 01/24/2015 3:35:33 PM PST by workerbee (The President of the United States is PUBLIC ENEMY #1)
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To: workerbee

Thank you for appreciating the fair moderating we strive to use
The word you used that was in your removed post isn’t allowed anywhere on FR.
Opinions of many types are allowed on the Religion Forum
If you disagree with them debate it on the thread.


46 posted on 01/24/2015 3:42:53 PM PST by Admin Moderator
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To: hondact200

Hey all I’m sayin is if you don’t like the policies of a religion then you should go elsewhere, not expect the religion to change for you! America has already raised generations of morons who think, no, demand that the rules and laws be changed to want they want because they’re freakin “special”.


47 posted on 01/24/2015 3:59:22 PM PST by Mastador1 (I'll take a bad dog over a good politician any day!)
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To: Hot Tabasco

If women were not allowed to vote, IIRC, there would not have been a single Democrat President since 1920.


48 posted on 01/24/2015 4:20:55 PM PST by Arthur McGowan
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To: marshmallow

The rubber REALLY hits the road if Archbishop Cordileone backs up the priest.


49 posted on 01/24/2015 4:23:20 PM PST by Arthur McGowan
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To: marshmallow
The altar boy is heir to the minor order of acolyte which was just below the subdeacon, lowest of the major orders. While no longer an ordained cleric, an altar boy or acolyte perfoms many functions that are the duty of the subdeacon.

Read this

It's important to recall the normative form of the mass calls for priest, deacon, and subdeacon at the altar. Every other form of the mass is an abbreviation.

50 posted on 01/24/2015 4:36:18 PM PST by Oratam
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To: workerbee

Not sure what you are referring to, as my response was to your comment at 22.


51 posted on 01/24/2015 4:50:52 PM PST by Bigg Red (Let's put the ship of state on Cruz Control with Ted Cruz.)
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To: aposiopetic; Chode

“Only boys can be altar boys?”

I’m just waiting for one of these chicks to say “I’m a boy in a girls’ body”


52 posted on 01/24/2015 4:59:40 PM PST by Morgana ( Always a bit of truth in dark humor.)
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To: Arthur McGowan

He does.


53 posted on 01/24/2015 4:59:48 PM PST by pbear8 (the Lord is my light and my salvation)
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To: Dr. Bogus Pachysandra

I googled and googled, and all I could get for a “translation” is that it’s a city in Italy, and another in Brazil.

But it seems to me it must mean something like “pig-like.”


54 posted on 01/24/2015 5:20:40 PM PST by Arthur McGowan
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To: marshmallow

The pastor of a local parish has the same policy. The parish has abundance of altar boys, and has had at least one young man in priestly formation since the pastor arrived.


55 posted on 01/24/2015 5:27:07 PM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: Morgana
there are several anti psychotic drugs on the market today, take one
56 posted on 01/24/2015 6:25:37 PM PST by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY - 86-44)
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To: Arthur McGowan

” it must mean something like “pig-like.”

Yup! What an unfortunate name! Connie the pig.


57 posted on 01/24/2015 7:57:34 PM PST by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra (Don't touch that thing Don't let anybody touch that thing!I'm a Doctor and I won't touch that thing!)
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To: marshmallow

It really wasn’t changed in the GIRM.

It’s the U. S. Bishops.

Pray for more altar boys and acolytes.

If every church would get a program for acolytes, there would be no altar girls.


58 posted on 01/24/2015 8:14:05 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Bigg Red

I’ve known the priest for several years— he was my spiritual director in college— and this is just the kind of boss move I expect from him. His only concern is leading his flock rightly, not catering to what makes his parishioners feelings. Go Fr. Illo!


59 posted on 01/25/2015 8:24:11 PM PST by lizu
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To: lizu

Sounds like a great shepherd. You are fortunate to know this man.


60 posted on 01/26/2015 6:23:54 AM PST by Bigg Red (Let's put the ship of state on Cruz Control with Ted Cruz.)
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