That is exactly what I do, Sal.
As for:
...hand-holding intrudes a false air of chumminess into the Mass (and undercuts the immediately-following sign of peace....
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That stupid sign of peace is a false air of chumminess and disrupts the flow of the Mass.
While we are on the subject or liturgical abuse, what is with all this chattiness before Mass starts? My old parish we said the Rosary people want to run their mouths, lets have prayer. Don't even get me started on the rush from the pews after Mass.