PASTOR'S PEN

GETTING DRESSED FOR CHURCH A number of parishioners have spoken to me lately about how we dress for Church. The greatest concern is too many people dressed too casually. In most of our families, there used to be the expression dressing up for Church. Too many appear to be dressing down for Mass, in comparison with the way we dress for going to a wedding, a graduation, a funeral, or even to work. Or do we dress in the morning for the longest activity of the day (barbecuing, lounging, golfing, etc.) and go to Mass on the way. To lectors, ushers, and Holy Communion ministers, especially, I remind you to dress according to the dignity of your ministry at Mass. Please dress up for the occasion. To everyone, I call attention to the values of reverence for God, respect for all others at Mass, and modesty.