Hi, guys —

My father lives at a (VA) Veterans Affairs home. One of the other residents is a retired Navy serviceman who became a priest. Upon entering the facility he would have a Sunday morning Mass at a custom altar built to his specifications. Under his direction, I would distribute Communion to the dozen or so attendees.

Now we have lay ministers who do the three readings and serve Communion. We no longer have a sermon and the opportunity to wish others the sign of peace. He has Lou Gehrig's disease and can no longer stand for more than a few of minutes.

• Is it permitted for the priest to sit behind the altar on a tall stool and say Mass?

The residents miss his sermons and I miss the opportunity to greet everyone in the room with the sign of peace.

Thanks,

Chuck