Liturgical Abuse or Just Not Knowing Any Better??

Over the last few months, as I have had the opportunity to travel to a number of different Catholic churches in both this Archdiocese and others, I have noticed two things.

During the Lord's Prayer, we seem to have large numbers of people who suddenly hold hands. Then immediately following, we seem to have a large number of people who hold up their hands, during the recitation of "For the Kingdom..."

Now, I don't remember learning this as a child and have only begun to see this about 20 years ago.

Anyone know where the "heck" this came from?

Expansion of the Extraordinary form of the Mass within Washington, D.

I received this from a reader:

A low Mass will be offered every Friday at 8am starting this Friday, December 4th at St. Mary's Church in downtown DC. It is one block east of the Chinatown Metro Station and just a few blocks from Holy Rosary Church.

After a number of requests, Archbishop Wuerl has agreed to it on a trial basis but, if there is not enough support, it may be discontinued. Various priests will rotate to say the Mass.

Some upcoming Fridays over the next couple of months (Holy days omitted):

December 4: St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor / First Friday
December 11: St. Damasus, Pope and Confessor
December 18: Friday in Ember Week of Advent
January 8: Friday after Epiphany
January 15: St. Paul Hermit, Confessor/ Commemoration of St. Maurus, Abbott
January 22: St. Vincent and Anastasius, Martyrs
January 29: St. Francis de Sales