Funeral Mass Question

[Otto's Doll]

I am attending a Funeral Mass tomorrow for my friend's mom. Is Communion typically served? I am not Catholic, I am Presbyterian, and I was wondering if I am supposed to take it? I know in my church all baptised believers are invited to participate, but I am not sure of the Catholic Church's stand on this? Can any one help? (I am an active member of my church, and am an Ordained Deacon.)

 

[ScarlettO]

No , you should just stay seated when folks go recieve communion. Some folks will not recieve communion, so you won't "stand out".

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by ScarlettO
No , you should just stay seated when folks go recieve communion. Some folks will not recieve communion, so you won't "stand out".

ditto.

you also should not feel that you have to kneel. but a sign of respect would be to at least stand/sit along with everyone else...but you do not have to kneel if you don't want to.

 

[helenabear]

They are right... some churches do let you go up to be blessed but they will announce that if they do that.

The reason why the church doesn't allow it though, is because the communion is not just a *symbol* of the body of Christ, but Catholics believe in transubstantiation, where they believe the host is actually *the* body of Christ. I hope that makes sense

 

[pumba]

Other Christians and Communion


The guidelines for receiving Communion, which are issued by the U.S. bishops and published in many missalettes, explain, "We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us ‘that they may all be one’ (John 17:21).


so does this mean people can recieve or not?????????????

 

[TLinden16]

Hmm. I never saw that in the missalettes at my church, Pumba. There is something else in our missalettes that very clearly state that non-Catholics should not receive communion. On occassion, my priest has announced at mass that non-Catholics should not receive communion.

Also, Catholics are not supposed to receive communion at non-Catholic services.

Karen

 

[pumba]

but remembered seeing this a few weeks ago in the new spring prayer books.......I am going to look into it with the Eucharistic Minister I know....thanks

 

[PamOKW]

Pumba's quote is only part of the whole text.

We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us ‘that they may all be one’ (John 17:21).

"Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law. . . . "

Scripture is clear that partaking of the Eucharist is among the highest signs of Christian unity: "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread" (1 Cor. 10:17). For this reason, it is normally impossible for non-Catholic Christians to receive Holy Communion, for to do so would be to proclaim a unity to exist that, regrettably, does not. We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us ‘that they may all be one’ (John 17:21).

"We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family."


As a side -- Members of the Eastern Rite Churches are welcome to partake of Communion as long as it is approved by their own church and they are comfortable doing so.

Otto's Doll -- I commend you on taking the time to even ask the question. Usually there will be a statement in the missal or the handout at the funeral but, of course, not everyone reads it. As a practicing member of your own church I'm sure you know how to show respect during the Communion by offering your own prayer for the deceased and their family. Some non-Catholics may go up to Communion and they may even be given Communion. Most priests/deacons/Eucharistic ministers will not make an issue of it, especially during a funeral or wedding. But, you will be correct if you refrain from going to Communion.

 

[Deb in IA]

Being a non-Catholic whose children attend Catholic school, we have been through this on many a wedding and sadly, funerals too.

PamOKW states it very well. Catholic Communion is ONLY for Catholics in good standing with the Church.

If you wish to go up, you can simply cross your arms in front of your chest when you reach the minister, and you will receive a blessing instead of the Host.



As an aside, I heard an interesting discussion this weekend on John Kerry's stance in the Church. Seems Kerry has voted against an abortion ban and for stem cell research, both in contrast to the teachings of the Church. Some bishops have suggested that Kerry be denied Communion for these actions.

 

[4nana]

I am from the old school and therefore was taught No. However, like everything else, times have changed. Our local catholic church encourages people of 'all faiths' to receive communion during services.

Peace be with you ^i^
~ Sandie

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Originally posted by Deb in IA



As an aside, I heard an interesting discussion this weekend on John Kerry's stance in the Church. Seems Kerry has voted against an abortion ban and for stem cell research, both in contrast to the teachings of the Church. Some bishops have suggested that Kerry be denied Communion for these actions.

Kerry is Catholic??!?! I had no clue! (not to debate, that just shocked me!)

Anyway, ditto to what everyone else is saying.

 

[Deb in IA]

Originally posted by 6_Time_Momma
Kerry is Catholic??!?! I had no clue! (not to debate, that just shocked me!)

Yup, Kristy. From his website:

"John Kerry was born on December 11, 1943 at Fitzsimons Military Hospital in Denver, Colorado, where his father, Richard, who had volunteered to fly DC-3's in the Army Air Corps in World War II, was recovering from a bout with tuberculosis. Not long after Sen. Kerry's birth, his family returned home to Massachusetts. John Kerry was raised in the Catholic faith and continues to be an active member of the Catholic church."


Also intesting: John Kerry's initials, which happen to be the same as another prominent New England Catholic: JFK.

John Forbes (yes, THAT Forbes) Kerry.

 

[nkjzmom]

We recently attended the funeral of my DH's grandmother. We are not Catholic so we did not take Communion nor did we kneel, but we did stand with the congregation and when prayers were said we folded our arms and bowed our heads as we do in our church. I did not feel uncomfortable at all.

 

[Otto's Doll]

Thanks so much, everyone. I appreciate all of you!

 

[PamOKW]

Kerry's standing in the Church may be a little shaky (a la Ted Kennedy) but his wife is a devout Catholic who insisted he get an annullment before they got married.

 

[Mercy]

Ok, so what happens when a non-Catholic takes communion in a Catholic church then, do they spontaneously combust or something, are they committing a sin, does it not count? Ridiculous.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Originally posted by Mercy
Ok, so what happens when a non-Catholic takes communion in a Catholic church then, do they spontaneously combust or something, are they committing a sin, does it not count? Ridiculous.

Well, since they likely don't believe it is the actual body of Christ, it would be disrespecting the body of Christ. Obviously, the partaker would not have a problem, but myself, as a Catholic, would feel it to be irreverant (as in not showing due reverence) (is that a word?). Does that make sense what I am trying to say? It is not ridiculous.

 

[Pin Wizard]

That's interesting about Kerry. Hmmm...

I haven't been to my new church here yet (just moved here less than a week ago,) but DS has been to mass with his class. He tells me that there are NO kneelers and they do NOT kneel at all during mass!

 

[doxdogy]

No we do not spontaneously combust, nor is it ridiculous that we aren't allowed to partake in Communion from another denomination.

Originally posted by Mercy
Ok, so what happens when a non-Catholic takes communion in a Catholic church then, do they spontaneously combust or something, are they committing a sin, does it not count? Ridiculous.

 

[Nancy]

No one will spontaneously combust...but my Dad would tell me all the time when I was younger to be careful when I went to Mass because the Church might fall down around me! (thats' because I was rebellious and didn't go to mass all the time)