Dear Friends,
A recent inovation has worked its way into the Sunday liturgy at the parish I
attend, one I know is not "a good thing." What I want to know are the reasons
why...
We have two priests, and the new practice involves one of them (usually the
one who preaches) to preside from the opening acclamation, through the
liturgy of the Word, up to the Pax. The other priest, who has ducked out to
lead a Sunday School worship service, then enters at the Pax, and proceeds to
preside at the Great Thanksgiving, and for the rest of the Mass.
I have tried to explain to the rector, and to the Liturgy Committee, that this
practice is not normal. The Mass is an entity unto its own, not two seperate
liturgies allowing two seperate presiders. Howard Galley said as much, but
what I would like to know are the theological reasons that would indicate one
presider. I have never heard of this practice in the Western Rite.
What say you all?
In Christ
Sandford MacLean
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