We still have the Divine Hours, although not as commonly as you do, probably. None of our local churches do it (though we certainly can do it privately). No incense at daily Mass, but some Sundays get the works. I think the catechumen dismissal stems from the re-instalment of the RCIA rituals after Vatican 2. This was part of the ancient practice of the catechumenate. Before Vatican 2, adults were trained individually by the priest and brought in more privately. Now, it is a community affair and knowledge of the faith is only one aspect of RCIA. Do you also have RCIA in the Orthodox?
I would imagine the Mass is uniform no matter where it is served.
I don't know if you are familiar with McDonalds, but they are more uniform, I think! There is more leeway given to Liturgical groups to adhere to local culture, as the Mass is not only a sacrifice but a meal... This, while a good reasoning in theory, has led to abuses that have not been entirely curbed yet. The majority of the Mass is pretty uniform, and priests are required to speak certain words at certain times. No ab libbing! But music is not uniform, the Eucharistic ministers and Lectors are not uniform, and I think one can detect a difference between liberal and conservative parishes on their emphasis.
I went to one parish and I saw the Blessed Sacrament reserved in a Temple surrounded what looked to be chicken wire... I suppose it was supposed to be modern art. And I had a hard time finding the priest after Communion. He didn't sit in the President's chair, but in a chair in the nave along with the rest of the "peons"! "Where's that priest"? It was a bit strange for my taste. I don't advocate a return to Latin, but I think we can clean up some of this a bit.
Regards
I understand, jo. Thanks for sharing this.