A good problem to have

Sometime during the wacky years following Vatican II, it became very chic to start using "earthen vessels" -- ceramic chalices and patens -- to hold the Blessed Sacrament during Mass. This practice, in addition to being ugly as sin and subversive to the doctrine of Transubstantiation, were never really a condoned practice.

About two years ago, the Vatican finally coaxed the bishops in the United States to uniformly return to the use of sacred vessels made from gold and silver.

Now, parishes are forced to deal with the very real problem of what to do with the ceramic and glass vessels.