Dear Catholic Exchange,
I particularly loved the article about the role of men at Mass. As a young woman, I think it is important to note that we women need the presence of men at Mass as much as they need it themselves.
Young girls today do not have the view of men as the leaders, fighters and protectors that they are supposed to be. The lack of proper male role models is bad for the young boys at Church as much as it is for girls, albeit in different ways, of course. I want to see young men at Mass in their proper roles, and so does God, for this is how He ordained the roles of the different sexes. For instance, I know some who tries to put a lot of attention on the role of Christians as peace makers, and certainly this is true, we are peace makers, but I think that sometimes men need to hear that we are at battle here; but this is being overlooked.
As a young woman preparing for marriage and motherhood I fear that the world is too busy trying to feminize men and their proper, God given roles, that they do not see the harm they are doing to both the sexes. Girls want knights-in-shining armor, and guys what to be those knights, but the culture has sadly mixed these roles up, and this problem has, even worse, found it's way into the Church and the Mass.
Thank you for bringing this to your readers attention. I think this is an issue that is starting to get some notice, and hopefully it will soon get all the mention it needs and deserves.
Maria Halliday
Vermilion, OH
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Dear Catholic Exchange:
The local Maronite Catholic Church has a male cantor, male altar servers, nothing but males on the altar — it is soooo refreshing given all the females at our other local parishes, just as Joanna Bogle describes in her article. One can see and feel the difference.
Elizabeth DiPiazza
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Dear Catholic Exchange:
I wanted to comment on your article, “Where Are the Men?” by Joanna Bogle. I am 20 years old and live in Reading, Pennsylvania. I am an active member in my parish, St. Ignatius of Loyola. I have to say that I have not seen the female-dominated atmosphere described in the article. I sing in our folk group and we have five male guitarists, a male keyboardist and a male who plays the recorder — not to mention the row of male singers and our male director.
Our Eucharistic ministers and lectors are equally male and female.
The article seems to insinuate that female altar servers are a reason for low numbers in vocations. Female altar servers is one issue I really don't have an opinion about; however, I don't think that having females at the altar deters the boys. In fact, I think that is a bit of a stretch. A young male's interest in church has a lot to do with his family. Many times in the home, religion is reflected as a “mom thing”. There are also the issues of peer pressure and secular society's male stereotype. Most Catholic children of my generation don't have a clue what goes on at Mass, but those who do know are involved — equally male and female.
I personally don't like to blame society for all our ills or poorly raised children, but I'd blame them and other things before I would correlate female altar servers with low priestly vocations.
As a side note, I would like the mention that we have made Catholic Exchange our homepage and appreciate all that you do. This is the first article that I have disagreed with. You are true to the Church and defend our faith well. God bless you all.
Sarah Wagaman
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