[Arthur McGowan]

Handholding during the Our Father is completely improper. 1) There is no basis for it in Tradition. 2) It duplicates the Sign of Peace. In a parish that practices holding hands during the Our Father, there should be no Sign of Peace.

[Dick Vomer]

I don't like holding hands either. I'm just a cold fish I guess. I feel prayer is solitary at times and I want to pray to the lord. Oh and yeah I think it's kinda gay also...... but only in a kind and loving way. huh.???

[Grampa7030]

It is not just Catholic services that have gotten a bit wierd. I left a Lutheran church when a major part of the service was hugging others. I was not comfortable with that at that stage of my life.

I have been back to that church a few times and there is almost no sermon or scripture anymore. There are about five music groups and at least three perform on a given Sunday. There is only one general hymn anymore so there is a definite lack of participation form those of us not musically inclined. I remember sermons that went on for nearly an hour.

The last service I went to at my former church was five minutes, four of which was berating those of us who did attend for the lack of people in attendance. And they now let everyone take communion, including children, and in my day you had to go through three years of confirmation classes for that privilege. I am not sure it is a bad thing, but I do think that it should have meaning to those accepting it.

I say vote with your feet, if you are not comfortable. Also, bring back "Onward Christian Soldiers."

[SoothingDave]

Handholding during the Our Father is completely improper. 1) There is no basis for it in Tradition. 2) It duplicates the Sign of Peace. In a parish that practices holding hands during the Our Father, there should be no Sign of Peace.

I'd add a number 3, Father. 3) It is a superfluous sign of unity in the congregation, only moments before being in Reality united in the Eucharist.

SD