John~

I remember serving mass one Sunday morning, circa 1973 or so. 10:30 Mass was High Mass at St. Michael's and so everything was not only call-and-response....everything was sung. The priest would sing out, and the congregation would sing their reply. (you know all of this, but not everybody does....)

"Peeeee---heee-heeeee-heeeeeace be with you."

"And ahhhh-hah-hah-hah-hahaaallllllso with you."

Come to the part where Fr. Lynch holds the chalice up with both hands and sings......"Whenthesupperwasendedhe too---hooo-hooo-hooook the cup. Gave the cup to his desci-hi-hi-hiples offering them thanks and pray-hey-hey-hey-hey-aiiiiise.....and said 'Taaaaaakethiscupallofyouanddrinkfromit. this is the cup of my bloo-huh-huh-huh-huh-oood....'"

I'm kneeling there at my post, holding the bells, getting ready to let loose.....suddenly, in the middle of all of that profound symbolism......Fr. Lynch held the chalice up with only his left hand, reached back, and scratched his ass.

Maybe that's when I began to have my doubts.

M