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Do not be a hostgrabber. Put both hands out for the Eucharistic minister (ordained or not) to place in your hand. Say "amen" loudly so all around you can hear. Look at the Body and Blood as you receive it.n No looking at the priest, or closing your eyes, and certainly not making the sign of the Cross, genuflecting, or other meaningless actions. You blessed yourself in the Baptismal Font at the beginning of Mass, and before the opening Prayer–that's enough.

I need to increase my blood pressure meds ping!

4. Do not bring any games, toys, Cheerios, etc., to the church building. Little children belong in the nursery, and younger children at the Liturgy of the Word. If you have uncontrollable children, consult psychiatrist listings, or arrange with your life-sharing spouse to go to separate Liturgies until control is restored in the family (which is usually the problem). There are a few exceptions–autistic children, et similia, who are more than welcome.

Huh? Consult a psychiatrist?! Sorry ... I'll keep bringing Cheerios.

8. Do not be a hostgrabber. Put both hands out for the Eucharistic minister (ordained or not) to place in your hand. Say "amen" loudly so all around you can hear. Look at the Body and Blood as you receive it.n No looking at the priest, or closing your eyes, and certainly not making the sign of the Cross, genuflecting, or other meaningless actions. You blessed yourself in the Baptismal Font at the beginning of Mass, and before the opening Prayer–that's enough.

So all can hear? "Let not your right hand know what the other is doing." Sign of the Cross and genuflecting meaningless? Whatever.

Wow ... this priest needs a swift "get-off-your-high-horse" kick in the arse.

FWIW ... I'll agree with him on the others.

actually, I pretty much agreed with everything EXCEPT #8. All the other stuff should be in every bulletin every week.

Manners at Mass today are horrible and irreverent.

#8 was a biggee, tho. I receive on the tongue and highly recommend all my CCD students do also. A bow of reverence before receiving and making the sign of the cross after receiving is my preference and I'm not gonna change it (unless the Pope tells me I must).

The last point, I agree, is not well said, but I liked everything else he said. There IS often excessive talking in church, and there are always people who leave church right after communion, which is disruptive and disrespectful. This has slowed somewhat since the Bishops re-stated the proper postures, gestures, etc at mass back during Advent.

We have a crying room for children who are crying -- it should be used. (and people who come late for mass or sit in the crying room so they can sneak out shouldn't give us harried moms dirty looks because our 1 year old is making noise IN the crying room).

EWTN's website said that it is wholly unnecessary to cross yourself after receiving the Eucharist, because you have received the ultimate blessing, the body and blood of Jesus Christ. It is a hard habit to get out of, but their explanation made a lot of sense to me and I have been trying to refrain. With regards to genuflecting, etc ... the re-iteration from the Bishops was to deeply bow prior to receiving Communion, but people who choose to kneel are fine (as long as it doesn't create a hazard). Personally, I miss the communion rails, but a deep bow is appropriate, I believe.

People have become lazy during Mass. It's as if they go because they have to, and cut corners when they can. If this priest is having problems in his parish, I commend him for addressing them. I wish our parish priest had addressed some of the problems that were, thank the Lord, fixed after the Bishop's meeting (mostly that had to do with EMs).

Just my opinion ....

Most Reverend Bishop Walter Francis Sullivan, Eleventh Bishop of Richmond

Bishop Sullivan is a national leader of the religious community's involvement in the work of justice and peace. He is the Bishop-President of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement.

Bishop Sullivan serves on the boards of Christian Children's Fund based in Richmond; the Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy in Washington, D.C.; the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy; the Catholic Committee of Appalachia; and numerous diocesan boards. He has been on the board of the National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities and on the Administrative Board of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Bishop's Coat of Arms: The coat of arms of Bishop Sullivan contains the lions and the stag from the Sullivan coat of arms of Ireland, but is differenced to make the coat of arms personal. The Trefoil between the Sullivan lions is taken from the coat of arms of Bishop Russell, whom Bishop Sullivan assisted as Auxiliary. The group of trees identifies the Vanderloo family of the Bishop's Mother. The dexter implement contains the arms of the See.

Motto: "To Unite All in Christ". The motto is derived from the prayer of Jesus Christ for unity at the Last Supper: "That all may be one, even as thou, Father, in me and I in thee; that they may also be one in us, that the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:21).

Bishop Sullivan's e-mail can be found here

Well, at least he doesn't own poodles.