Gregorian chant to have pride of place"--no mention of removing
altar rails, statues, turning altars around, demolishing them, replacing with wooden tables.
Warnings are placed in some churches about thieves operating, and advise people to keep their belongings with them at all times, and this will include going to the
altar rail for communion.
Many bishops, such as Ireland's Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, have spoken out against communion bans for fear that the
altar rail would "become a place of debate."
Luke the Physician's Day by inviting Bishop Michael Bird of the diocese of Niagara to perform a laying on of hands at the
altar rail after communion.
They entered a pew at the back of the church and sang hymns and when it was time for the eucharist and to receive a blessing, the stranger accompanied the woman down to the
altar rail and both received a blessing.
As we processed towards the church, our hostess murmured, 'We all go up the chancel steps and we give our sprig of rosemary to one of the officials behind the
altar rail to be placed beneath Shakespeare's memorial.' I'd seen the memorial tablet with its rather comic bust many times and I wasn't feeling particularly solemn or respectful as we processed down the nave.
The Rev Dennis was the celebrant, assisted at the
altar rail by Roy Brabiner with the wine chalice.
One woman achieved sexual satisfaction down at the local church, not with Mike McCurry, but a wooden
altar rail. She also derived thrills from a fairground ride and snogged the Empire State Building.
We are planning to move the
altar rail forward a bit so that we don't have to walk on them anymore."
A favourite feature is the
altar rail of Belgian oak dedicated to the men who fell in the Great War.
We can't even get anyone to stay for coffee after Confirmation." "Well" (I got on my high horse), "if people coming straight from the
altar rail where we've shared our Lord's body and blood given and shed for us can't even be bothered to spend ten minutes sharing coffee and cake with strangers welcoming us to their marriage feast, I've got serious questions about what we're doing!" "Yeah," she said, "I hear you.
A carved and painted
altar rail and an elaborate reredos, or altar screen, are decorated with painted designs and religious symbols.