In his presentation to about 90 parishioners last Saturday (October12), Steve Binz discussed among other things, the topic of " Eucharistic Reverence". There are those who believe sincerely that the Catholic Church, with the reformed liturgy that came out of Vatican Council II, lost the reverence that they believe was a key aspect and blessing of the pre-Vatican II Mass. He listed the following aspects of the Mass in those days that perhaps "promoted" to some or many people, the feeling of reverence on the part of the priest and the congregation. These are (or were) the separation of the altar and people (through the presence of the Communion or altar rail), the passive observance of the people during a great deal of the Mass; obscure gestures and speech by the priest throughout the Mass; desire for efficiency (on the part of the priest in strictly following the Church's direction when it came to gestures); inattentive listening by the congrega-tion (because so much of the Mass did not involve their participation); concern for minimal obligations (such as what was the latest someone could arrive at Mass for it ("to count"); emphasis on the vertical (that my experience at Mass was primarily OR ONLY about my connecting with God); and hidden sacred rituals (which the congregation could not see because the priest was far away and his back to the people for most of the Mass). I attended as a young child, only a very few Latin-rite Masses, so I can't really give an opinion about a congregant's feeling and disposition throughout the Mass as well as that of the priest Celebrant. The following are the aspects of the post-Vatican II Mass that are meant to edify the congregation during Mass. Firstly, the congregation's active participa-tion throughout the Mass. The congregation is engaged in most of the Mass through prayerful responses to what the priest initiates. We have bodily postures and gestures that everyone (and not just the priest) is invited to do at various times in the Mass. The singing of songs and responses is now done (for most of the liturgy) by every-one (instead of just the choir); There are periods of silence at various times during the Mass for everyone (including the priest) to use for personal prayer and/or private reflection. Active listening is promoted throughout the Mass, most importantly during the Liturgy of the Word and also during times of prayer led by the Celebrant. There is an emphasis not only on the vertical (the individual and God) but ALSO the horizontal (between the congregants especially during the "Sign of Peace"). Finally in the post-Vatican II Mass we are privileged to face the Body and Blood of Christ from the time of the consecration through the distribution of Holy Communion. I believe the reverence that now exists during the post-Vatican II Mass (as listed above) is something that we should all give thanks to God for having every time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist. I pray we all reflect on all this and always come to participate in reverence of mind, heart and body turned firstly to the Lord and also toward one another at the time we are called to do so!