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I noticed the absence of a ceramic chalice the past two weeks including this AM. All metal (gold) and the wine was poured into another metal chalice before concentration.

Almost makes me want to go back to my former RC parish to see what has become of the glass salad bowl and pitcher service ..... lol! ...... on second thought, I am much too happy - perhaps 'giddy' is the proper word - ensconced in the Maronite liturgy. It has taken them 400 years to arrive at this and I was most fortunate to step into one of their churches, after all of the changes were finalized. It is so beautiful that I often find myself crying during the liturgy.

In today's edition of The Evangelist, there is an article about the changes in the RC liturgy, and how it is being implemented in the Albany Diocese. The article is entitled: Parishes ease into changes in liturgy from Vatican. This is the opening paragraph and I quote:

"In workshops on changes being made by the Vatican to the Mass, Elizabeth Simcoe (she is the director for the liturgy) likes to point out that the first murder was committed over liturgy. Cain killed Abel because Abel's sacrifice was pleasing to God and Cain's was not. So this is explosive territory!?"

Yes indeed, that is how the article begins. It then goes on to describe how each parish is implementing the changes, what the changes are, and how it is being received.

The new plan is to use their Sunday televised mass to 'demonstrate' the proper positions to be taken by the faithful, as if Catholics bowing their heads when Jesus name is mentioned, is such a major furor. I was taught (i.e. programmed to do) that in elementary school and have never stopped. I had to laugh when I noticed that one of the 'changes' was to carry the Book of the Gospels and NOT the lectionary.

In my Maronite Catholic Church, the first thing anyone sees when entering are 3 large alcoves, illuminated by downlights. These contain, from left to right - the Tabernacle (with a candle burning before it), the Crucifix, and the Book of the Gospels. These are the 3 most important elements of our faith! These are givens and should NEVER be abandoned, set aside or forgotten. "