Replies

"I think your concerns about post-pubertal flirtiness are unwarranted, at least in our parish."

I certainly hope this is true. As a former 16-year-old male with a 20-year-old male son and a blossoming 15-year-old daughter, I believe I understand the inner workings of the male psyche and can evaluate what is happening better than a mother who thinks it is still OK to serve at the altar. Just my opinion of course...

But you haven't observed it, since you say you won't attend where there are altar girls, how on earth do you know? You've imagined all sorts of horrible consequences that just are not happening.

And what does my opinion (obedient, BTW, to my bishop and my pastor) have to do with my judgment? Again, if I agreed with you, there wouldn't be any discussion.

I think you're selling yourself (and your sons) short. Our older altar boys are looking seriously at vocations, do you think they have no self-control? And what kind of priests would they be, if they didn't? Our Altar Server Elite boys are like respected older brothers to all the little ones, they're a fine example for the boys and girls alike.

Our archbishop has kindly provided (and encouraged both spiritually and materially) a fine FSSP parish for those who are worried about female altar servers (and prefer Latin). The rector recently moved to Rome, but I'm sure his successor is following in his footsteps, and I'm sure you'd be perfectly happy there.