May 3, 2026
Dear Most Holy Trinity Family:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” (John 14:1)
The wearing of an alb has been discontinued in our parish for Lectors and Eucharistic ministers. Why? Recently, there was a Diocesan training for liturgical ministries where the question regarding the use of the alb was raised. In reply, a member of the Liturgical Commission of our Diocese said that albs for Lectors and Eucharist ministers is not the norm. Thus, I emailed the Office for Worship of the Diocese, and the reply to me confirmed that the practice of wearing albs for Lectors and Eucharistic ministers is not normative in the Diocese. I know that some ministers like wearing it, others feel obliged to do so, some refuse to wear it, others think that they cannot serve unless they wear it, and a few walked away from ministry when the custom was implemented. In reality, the use of the alb for Lectors and Eucharist ministers has become a sign of disunity and confusion, and I realize the discontinuation of it might lead to more confusion. However, please keep in mind that wearing albs for Lectors and Eucharist ministers is not normative in our Diocese.
The discontinuation of the alb comes after speaking with representatives of the Diocese, and after consulting with Frs. Marty, Manh, and Vincent. I know that some of you will say that this is a distraction, but let us not fix our sight on external appearances. Instead, let’s participate in the celebration of the Mass with a disposition open to God. “What the Church is asking of us is not a performance but an interior offering. It means coming to Mass as we truly are: tired, grateful, broken, searching, and hopeful before the Lord. The more humbly and authentically we bring ourselves to the Eucharist, the more we are transformed by it.” (Liturgical Renewal). In accordance with the liturgical norms of the Diocese, at the start of the Mass, Lectors and Eucharistic ministers will no longer be processing into the worship space. All the above changes are part of the Liturgical Renewal of the Diocese. You will continue to read and hear more about the renewal as it is being rolled out in phases. I realize that these changes will affect some of you more directly because you have personal preferences, and for that, I apologize. However, the changes reflect the common good of the MHT parish community and the liturgical practice of the Diocese.
If your hearts are troubled by the changes, I understand. I also hope that our faith as a community is grounded in God and not so much on external appearances.
Fr. Elias Puentes, SJ- Pastor
