Letter: Kneeling to receive Communion

I greatly thank Monica for her LTE about her concern for the elderly and disabled in Catholic churches. To answer the question, as a lifelong Catholic who was also an altar boy, kneelers themselves are not being banned, but the act of kneeling to receive Communion is. Fortunately, in this Diocese, it is not. My parish has an elevator for those who cannot use stairs and others have ramps. Many parishes reserve front pews for the disabled and elderly. If someone elderly or disabled desires to receive Communion kneeling and on the tongue, a beautiful practice, it can be made known to the priest or an altar boy, who will then inform the priest. Then at Communion time, he or another Eucharistic minister will come to their pew and administer Communion to the person as they kneel on the kneeler without having to kneel on the floor. I think it is absolutely essential for all parishes to be accessible and accommodating for the elderly and disabled members of our communities.