The Question of Proper Attire and of "Eucharistic Ministers"

I recently received an email from a friend of a friend, a woman, who had received some criticism from another woman who felt that since my friend's friend was a "Eucharistic Minister" she should not be wearing shorts to weekday Mass (even when not serving as a "Eucharistic Minister" - at which times she doesn't wear shorts).

Apparently she combines some daily exercise (walking) with attendance at weekday Mass. Seeking other opinions, she sent an email to some friends and one of those friends forwarded her email to me asking what I thought.

I found the inquiry interesting because the issue of appropriate attire at Mass is actually only the tip of the iceberg of a much larger and more serious issue about the nature of the Mass itself and our response to it, which effects everything from the music to what we wear. The woman's "position" as a "Eucharistic Minister" (those words are in quotes for a reason, which you soon shall see) not only complicates the issue but illustrates another aspect of the "iceberg", which many are beginning to at least feel.

Following is my answer: