The Anchoress asks us some questions.

The Anchoress wants to know,

1) A few minutes before Mass begins, are you:

a) praying/reading
b) talking to a neighbor
c) simply sitting quietly

The answer is (d), trying to help my children to simply sit quietly.  I’m surprised TA left that out!

If I had my druthers, though, I’d be (a), praying.

2) Sign of Peace:

a) I love it and look forward to greeting my neighbors
b) I hate it and wish it would go away or be moved to the start of Mass
c) I don’t love it or hate it.

I don’t love it or hate it (c), but I do hate it in the middle of Mass, where the parish we used to attend put it.  At our current parish, it’s either absent or it’s at the very beginning, which I prefer immensely.  Either way it is kind of patronizing to be instructed to greet people, as if I didn’t do that when I came in.

3) Holding Hands during the Our Father

a) I love it – it’s so unifying
b) I hate it, find it intrusive and wish people would stop doing it.
c) I don’t love it or hate it

(b) I think.  What I hate is when it is the common practice for everyone in the parish to hold hands during the OF.  I certainly don’t begrudge anyone else, say, married couples, from choosing to do so.

4) The Ushers at your parish DO or DO NOT greet you and shake your hand as you are exiting your pew for Communion:

They don’t.

If they DO:

a) I like it – it’s friendly.
b) I don’t like it. We’ve finished the sign of peace and I’m preparing for Communion.
c) I don’t like it or hate it

If they DO NOT:

a) I wish they would!
b) Please, God, don’t give them ideas!
c) I don’t really care

Shhhh!  (b)! 

Actually, I’ve never seen this particular behavior before.  Had no idea it was a problem.