Should You Thank The Catholic Church?

[jerseyangel]

Fidd-Fadd:

This theory makes sense....that since here in US we are taking so long to diagnose celiac disease that by the time the disease is diagnosed, the patient is at their worst health which interferes with their ability to practice their religion fully. Very good point.

Deb

Yes--I think so too.

[debmidge]

I don't know about jumping through hoops to get gluten free hosts. Our priest as soon as he was told I had Celiac went on line and researched and found gluten free hosts. He bought them and then told me what he had done. I choose not to partake of them as they are made from wheat starch and water and I won't take any chances on that. I do however partake of the blood of Christ. Our solution was to purchase a small vial that is prepared in advance of the mass and is on the altar with the rest of the chalasis. The Euchristic minister gives it to me. We have several people in our parish that have celiac and some of them take the gluten free body (hosts), some take only the blood, and some don't partake at all but come forward to receive a blessing from the ministers. We are free to receive Christ in what ever way we are comfortable with.

If any of you are looking for more info on why the Catholic Church does what it does PM me and I will put you in contact with my husband who is an ordained Deacon in the Catholic Church. He has offered to supply info and websites that can educate on this or any other subject.

Respectfully In Christ,

Yellow Rose

Dear Yellow Rose: It's great idea to post those websites. By the way, what is in the small vial that is prepared in advance of the mass and is on the altar with the rest of the chalasis?

Deb

P.S. I find that this is a very, very emotional topic (even for me a non-celiac Catholic). It's similar how the people in the restaurant topic feel - disenfranchised to some level or degree. Maybe some Catholic celiac people say that they don't feel disenfranchised because they are contented with the church's low-gluten host but others feel that the low-gluten host just isn't enough for them. My feeling is that rather than argue the topic here, the push should be to your parish, Archbishop and even perhaps to the Cardinals in Rome so that they review this every so often - it makes me think of Luke 18: 2-5.

[Nic]

I registered my son this year for CCD classes at our church. I explained at this time about his Celiac Disease and that he cannot be fed anything in class. The head of the program brought up the host as he will be making his communion next year. She said that for only the first communion he would need a host that contains some wheat. She said that they would order one that contain 0.002% gluten which is concidered safe for Celiacs. It is the same amount of gluten that is in Rice Dreams Rice Milk and it is labeled as gluten free. She said after that it does not have to contain any gluten. I understand that for those who are extremely sensitive this might still be a problem, but my son is not overly sensitive so I don't forsee a problem. After his first communion I will buy completely gluten free ones.

Nicole

[CarlaB]

Nicole, it's not just because it's his first communion ... he will need those hosts throughout .... hopefully they won't be a problem. If they are, he can receive the cup only. I usually sit in the front to avoid cc.

[Nic]

Carla,

Maybe I misunderstood, but I really thought she said it was just for the first communion. Then why do they even make gluten free ones if they cannot be used? At my aunt's church they have a child with celiac and they allow her to use a gluten free one but maybe they are bending the rules.

Nicole

[Lisa]

*

[CarlaB]

Carla,

Maybe I misunderstood, but I really thought she said it was just for the first communion. Then why do they even make gluten free ones if they cannot be used? At my aunt's church they have a child with celiac and they allow her to use a gluten free one but maybe they are bending the rules.

Nicole

Other denominations can use gluten-free hosts .... they are not made by the Catholic Church itself.

Here's the official position of the Church. Open Original Shared Link Not everyone follows the rules .... sometimes, unfortunately, not even priests. A non-wheat host cannot be consecrated, so even if a priest breaks this rule, the person receiving it is not receiving the Body of Christ.

[psawyer]

I don't think that there is any flexibility in the Roman Catholic Church's position on this. If you want to send your comments to the only person who can make a difference, send them to Pope Benedict at: benedictxvi@vatican.va I am not m making this up.

[melrobsings]

Yes, I'm all for keeping traditions but COME THE &^%$ ON times are changing and we need to adjust to it. If people are allergic, find a replacement, it's NOT brain surgery!!! Sometimes we have to tweek things. People are so terrified of change, get over it!

Yes, it's a very holy tradition but denying people communion because they are allergic!? ARE WE HEARING OURSELVES!??!!? You are saying to kids "you can't have this and you aren't normal or holy cause you are allergic to gluten and are diseased!"

Here is my big question;

If you are a recovering alcoholic and your church serves wine, do you drink the wine or is there another option.....say grape juice?!

And for the person who said that this has been discussed over and over....get over yourself! it happens all the time on these boards! Like the topic of what kind of flour to use or what do you feel when you get glutened? But just because it's about church we can't discuss it over and over? are you hearing yourself?

Yes, I know I'm "offending" people but for crying out loud this is retarded!

THIS MEDIA ATTENTION IS GREAT GREAT GREAT FOR US!!! (yes, also bugs me that they call it rare....have you been to the grocery store lately? there is gluten-free pasta at most of them now....I don't call that rare...it's as rare as a lactos intollerant thing!)

[CarlaB]

Here is my big question;

If you are a recovering alcoholic and your church serves wine, do you drink the wine or is there another option.....say grape juice?!

This question is answered in the Church document I posted.

I'm not addressing the other comments as this is not a religious forum and there is a bad history here when religious debates are started. We're not questioning WHY the Church is how it is, but HOW to live as a Celiac in the Catholic Church. As Peter said, feel free to write the Pope.

[Jestgar]

If you want to send your comments to the only person who can make a difference, send them to Pope Benedict at: benedictxvi@vatican.va I am not m making this up.

As Peter said, feel free to write the Pope.

For reasons unclear to me, I find it absolutely hysterical that you can email the Pope. Something about the collision of antiquity drenched tradition and modern instantaneous flightiness.

Maybe I'll wait until I can IM him.

[Lisa]

Yes, I'm all for keeping traditions but COME THE &^%$ ON times are changing and we need to adjust to it. If people are allergic, find a replacement, it's NOT brain surgery!!! Sometimes we have to tweek things. People are so terrified of change, get over it!

Yes, it's a very holy tradition but denying people communion because they are allergic!? ARE WE HEARING OURSELVES!??!!? You are saying to kids "you can't have this and you aren't normal or holy cause you are allergic to gluten and are diseased!"

Here is my big question;

If you are a recovering alcoholic and your church serves wine, do you drink the wine or is there another option.....say grape juice?!

And for the person who said that this has been discussed over and over....get over yourself! it happens all the time on these boards! Like the topic of what kind of flour to use or what do you feel when you get glutened? But just because it's about church we can't discuss it over and over? are you hearing yourself?

Yes, I know I'm "offending" people but for crying out loud this is retarded!

THIS MEDIA ATTENTION IS GREAT GREAT GREAT FOR US!!! (yes, also bugs me that they call it rare....have you been to the grocery store lately? there is gluten-free pasta at most of them now....I don't call that rare...it's as rare as a lactos intollerant thing!)

HOLY COW, melrob, don't hold back or anything.

[Jestgar]

I just reread the site that Carla posted. Perhaps someone can clarify something for me. If the Catholic church states that the communion wafer must contain wheat, why couldn't wafers made with rice and (certified gluten-free) wheat grass? or (certified gluten-free) wheat starch? If wheat is the deciding factor, put it in, just without the gluten.

[Nancym]

I am a former Open Original Shared Link. That church was totally unreasonable in it's wheat demands on the congregation.

[Lisa]

I am a former Open Original Shared Link. That church was totally unreasonable in it's wheat demands on the congregation.

[TrillumHunter]

Yes, it's a very holy tradition but denying people communion because they are allergic!? ARE WE HEARING OURSELVES!??!!? You are saying to kids "you can't have this and you aren't normal or holy cause you are allergic to gluten and are diseased!"

Did you read the Church documents on this issue? Allowances have been made. A solution has been found. Christ is fully present under both species. Body and blood together or alone ARE FULL COMMUNION! One does not need to receive both to receive Communion. One does not have to receive Communion under both species each week! One does not have to receive AT ALL each week.

Why do moderators keep a close eye on these conversations? Because they can go downhill awfully quick. I found your comments extraordinarily hurtful and insulting to my faith. You want me to "get over" something I hold not "very holy" but sacred. You want to "tweak" Jesus in the Eucharist? No, a thousand times no. It is as Christ Himself directed. That it will remain.

[debmidge]

I have a compromise to this situation....anyone interested should send me Message and I'll explain it. It's not offensive and I am sincere and I'd post it here, but I am just too scared to share my feelings on this matter.

P.S. I wonder if the mother of the child who was involved in the Communion case ever visits this message board.....

[CarlaB]

I just reread the site that Carla posted. Perhaps someone can clarify something for me. If the Catholic church states that the communion wafer must contain wheat, why couldn't wafers made with rice and (certified gluten-free) wheat grass? or (certified gluten-free) wheat starch? If wheat is the deciding factor, put it in, just without the gluten.

It can only be wheat and water. The wheat must have all the components of wheat, so must have gluten ..... the approved wafers have the smallest amount of gluten possible ... they're made primarily from gluten-free wheat starch.

I imagine in Europe there is not much of a debate because of the Codex Standards .... they already accept a small amount of gluten as okay.

Anyway, it can't have more than wheat and water. Go to the sister's website .... it's interesting how they came up with the recipe.

[Jestgar]

when I was little and my mom made us go to church, we'd sneak in the back and steal the hosts. Does this mean I've probably eaten enough already that I could do without ever going to communion?

[Lisa]

when I was little and my mom made us go to church, we'd sneak in the back and steal the hosts. Does this mean I've probably eaten enough already that I could do without ever going to communion?

Ahhhh, but did you go to Confession before you chowed down? I think "stealing" the hosts eliminated the effects of each..

[Jestgar]

Ahhhh, but did you go to Confession before you chowed down? I think "stealing" the hosts eliminated the effects of each..

oh yeah.....

[jayhawkmom]

Almost 4 years and the topic is still going strong, wow!

I just completed a religious studies class in college... and I wrote a 12 page thesis on this very subject. I got an A.

And, I won't further comment because I don't want to get into the debate. But, Carla is spot on.

[Jestgar]

. But, Carla is spot on.

she usually is. One of the few people whom I just believe when they say something.

[CarlaB]

when I was little and my mom made us go to church, we'd sneak in the back and steal the hosts. Does this mean I've probably eaten enough already that I could do without ever going to communion?

:lol: They probably weren't consecrated.

Almost 4 years and the topic is still going strong, wow!

I just completed a religious studies class in college... and I wrote a 12 page thesis on this very subject. I got an A.

And, I won't further comment because I don't want to get into the debate. But, Carla is spot on.

Thanks.

she usually is. One of the few people whom I just believe when they say something.

And I always want to read your posts because they are some of the wittiest on the board! It might be something I'm totally not interested in, but Jestgar posted ... let's get a good laugh!

[melrobsings]

yep, thought this would happen....

first off: I"m not here to bash anyone!!! I think we should sit back (yes I read the article and there were many that I read) and think about the message we are sending to kids.

I got Celiac as an adult THANK GOD!!! I could NEVER imagine having it as a kid. I wasn't really in the cool group in early elementary school, not to mention as a toddler/youngin' my parents were in the circus and we were always eating on the road and eating mac and cheese and easy to cook food. Having parents that ate on the road with a kid that's a celiac, not to mention that means no circus peanuts or pretzels!??! no thanks!

but LISTEN to the message we are sending the kids when they get denied communion. yes, i know it's sacred, i believe that too, but I don't understand the big deal between wheat and rice, it's the UNDERSTANDING of the communion that is the most important, not the wine, or grape juice or whatever cracker you have. We are reading into it too much and missing the point of what it's ABOUT.