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BY JOHNNY NOVERA
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NOW THAT another Christmas is coming, we believe it is timely to feature below an article that we previously wrote with the title, “Why No Senior Citizen Seats in Churches?”
The traditional Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi in December before Christmas always attracts an overflowing crowd in church from the Catholic faithful.
Here in our parish church in Mandurriao, attendance in our early morning mass is always overflowing, and the problem of churchgoers is where to get seated or kneel during the mass.
While the church would provide extra benches and seats and some people also bring their own chairs or stools, we still see that many are left standing during the celebration because of the big attendance.
The choir members are more privileged because the front pews on the right side facing the altar where they assemble are reserved for them… Later, when the mass starts, a bigger portion of the members would move up to occupy the altar steps where they stay and sing.
But the organist and some singers remain at the lower level before the altar, and there is where we join and get seated as some chairs are vacated by the choir members who transfer at the altar steps to sing.
Our friends know of us more for our writings, but in the instant case we are joining the choir. We will explain this.
You must know that the choir in church is composed of several voices. We have the soprano, the alto, and bajo in the group. Then there is the fourth voice where we belong, the silencio!
But seriously now, maybe we should suggest to our priests in the parishes to give priority and privilege to senior citizens in our church by reserving some pews or seats for them when the church is expected to be full, especially on special occasions like fiestas and the Holy Week or at Christmas time.
Private restaurants recognize and give respect to our senior citizens. Fast-food chain outlets, for example, have priority lanes for seniors and the disabled, with a special cashier assigned to serve them, as well as tables and chairs with seniors as priority.
Our churches that provide food for the soul can do no less.
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Greetings to all for peace and a blessed Christmas! (For comments or re-actions, please e-mail to jnoveracompany@yahoo.com)/PN
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