But why?...

This morning, unusually, we went to the main Parish Mass. I normally eschew it, as I find the music fairly unbearable, so we go to the earlier, music-light Mass.

However, Dominique was out on the razzle last night, as some hedonistic Ceilidh organised by the Methodists or something, and didn't get in till 11.00, so we thought we'd be kind and let her have a lie-in.  It also meant we could have a nice Mothering Day breakfast before Mass for Anna and her Mother.

However,...

Not only was the music dreadful (Freely, Freely - a waltz-time melody that really doesn't work being the low point, I think) but it was also a preparatory Mass for the First Communicants.

That meant that they formed the Offertory Procession, which is fair enough, I suppose (though they could have been rehearsed and given some sense of reverent behaviour to advantage!). But also they were invited to sit on benches in the sanctuary from then until communion.  Needless to say, that precluded their kneeling.  They stood for the Our Father and all held hands, the two in the middle holding the priest's hands.

Why?

Can anyone explain this to me?

I am genuinely mystified.  Our PP is very sound, preaches very good thoughtful sermons, is wise and, I think holy.  He is desperately aware that after their first Holy Communion day, few of these kids will come into the Church again...  Yet he seems stuck in some 70s warp that makes him think that this will help.

I just don't get it...