That is strange! They don't hold hands during the Our Father in my parish, but a lot of people open their arms up like the priest does... what is that all about? Seems like a charasmatic leftover of the 70s...
What do I know, I still receive Holy Communion on my tongue.
I'm laughing because I'm thinking the same thing. I will watch as these little old ladies outstretch their arms like they have some special powers or something. It really is funny, not to mention that they look ridiculous.
God Bless my father, an old school German Catholic. He refuses to do the sign of peace, can't stand "all that singing," but he has the faith of a child. We attend mass at a Polish church where all the hype and show is left at the door.