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Post by momofkandn on Aug 20, 2014 2:37:41 GMT
Holy smokes, this is about the most disrespectful thing I have read on this thread. If you had any respect for religion you would never take communion in a denomination that you are not baptized and confirmed as a member. And I was the one who made the comment about nuns. I know one who is this teeny thing, doesn't even come up to my shoulder. You should see her stand up to anyone who's trying to make trouble in the ER waiting room, or anywhere else in the hospital. lol. Nobody gives Sister any trouble.  And no one calls her "Sister Mary Patrick" [not her real name], it's only "Sister." "Sister is coming, she'll take care of it!" lolol. I've seen the bolded above expressed several times at the old two peas and it always bothered me. I don't think you understand how important communion is to Catholics. In fact, it isn't called communion, its called Holy Eucharist. Because Catholics believe it is the actual body and blood of Christ, it has much more significance then a symbol of communion with fellow church members. Let me put it this way. Holy Eucharist is one of seven sacraments. It ranks the same as holy orders, marriage, baptism, confirmation, reconciliation, and anointing of the sick. It's sacred. It is not the same as rituals performed during mass like readings, recitation of prayers or even the homily. It is the most essential part of the mass. Children have to take catechism classes in order to receive their first Eucharist. And that's after they have prepared for and received their first reconciliation. It's a really big deal and a core of the faith. Practicing Catholics must prepare to receive the Eucharist every Sunday before mass. That preparation includes reconciliation, prayer, participation in liturgy and fasting. Even Catholics are not supposed to receive Eucharist unless you have properly prepared. Having someone of a different faith that is not baptized as a Catholic receive Holy Eucharist is akin to performing holy orders and making them a priest. The sacrament is that important and it is a basic tenet of the faith. All are welcome to attend a Catholic mass, all are welcome to commune with the church. All are welcome to convert if they have a calling. But only Catholics that have properly prepared are welcome to receive the sacrament of Holy Eucharist. If you are a non-Catholic attending a mass, you are welcome to go up to the priest during communion with your arms crossed over your chest and he will give you a blessing instead of the wafer. I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic school, received the sacraments and was married in the Catholic Church. I no longer practice nor believe in the theology. But I do respect the beliefs of those in the church and will not go up to communion when I attend masses with family. |
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Post by momofkandn on Aug 20, 2014 2:41:10 GMT
Now it's highly likely that I, and about 1000 other Collins are wrong on this, but I'm pretty sure you can also take Communion in the Catholic Church before confirmation (I am 100% correct that one's First Communion comes BEFORE confirmation). I thought that as long you were a Catholic and in a state of grace you could receive Communion, even if you're not confirmed. You are correct. You typically receive your first Holy Eucharist around 3rd, 4th grade. Confirmation is done around 8th or 9th. And yes, you need to be in a state of grace and have confessed any concupiscence. Threw that last word in for AmeliaBloomer |
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Post by monklady123 on Aug 20, 2014 2:50:16 GMT
Oy. If you are not "baptized and confirmed as a member" you are still welcome at my church's communion table. And at most of the mainline Protestant ones.And I was the one who made the comment about nuns. I know one who is this teeny thing, doesn't even come up to my shoulder. You should see her stand up to anyone who's trying to make trouble in the ER waiting room, or anywhere else in the hospital. lol. Nobody gives Sister any trouble. And no one calls her "Sister Mary Patrick" [not her real name], it's only "Sister." "Sister is coming, she'll take care of it!" lolol. I've seen the bolded above expressed several times at the old two peas and it always bothered me. I don't think you understand how important communion is to Catholics. In fact, it isn't called communion, its called Holy Eucharist. Because Catholics believe it is the actual body and blood of Christ, it has much more significance then a symbol of communion with fellow church members. Let me put it this way. Holy Eucharist is one of seven sacraments. It ranks the same as holy orders, marriage, baptism, confirmation, reconciliation, and anointing of the sick. It's sacred. It is not the same as rituals performed during mass like readings, recitation of prayers or even the homily. It is the most essential part of the mass. Children have to take catechism classes in order to receive their first Eucharist. And that's after they have prepared for and received their first reconciliation. It's a really big deal and a core of the faith. Practicing Catholics must prepare to receive the Eucharist every Sunday before mass. That preparation includes reconciliation, prayer, participation in liturgy and fasting. Even Catholics are not supposed to receive Eucharist unless you have properly prepared. Having someone of a different faith that is not baptized as a Catholic receive Holy Eucharist is akin to performing holy orders and making them a priest. The sacrament is that important and it is a basic tenet of the faith. All are welcome to attend a Catholic mass, all are welcome to commune with the church. All are welcome to convert if they have a calling. But only Catholics that have properly prepared are welcome to receive the sacrament of Holy Eucharist. If you are a non-Catholic attending a mass, you are welcome to go up to the priest during communion with your arms crossed over your chest and he will give you a blessing instead of the wafer. I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic school, received the sacraments and was married in the Catholic Church. I no longer practice nor believe in the theology. But I do respect the beliefs of those in the church and will not go up to communion when I attend masses with family. Oh yes, I do know that about the Catholic church. I used to be Catholic.  My dh still is. My kids were baptized there. I was just responding to the part where whoever-it-was said "if you had any respect for religion you would never take communion in a denomination that you are not baptized and confirmed as a member." She's not pointing to the Catholic church here, just any denomination, so her statement is not true. You do not have to be baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian church before you can take communion there. You do not have to be baptized and confirmed in a Methodist church before you can take communion there. etc. That's all I was responding to. |
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Post by momofkandn on Aug 20, 2014 2:56:47 GMT
My mistake. Sorry about that! I have seen people criticize the Catholic church for not allowing anyone to take communion so I incorrectly assumed you were doing the same. |
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Post by monklady123 on Aug 20, 2014 3:02:30 GMT
My mistake. Sorry about that! I have seen people criticize the Catholic church for not allowing anyone to take communion so I incorrectly assumed you were doing the same. No problem. And I still think that you win the cute avatar prize. I LOVE the expression on your dog!  |
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 20, 2014 3:22:11 GMT
I agree with all of the above of MomofKandN, except the baptized Catholic part. As stated previously by others on this thread, you can be baptized in another faith that recognizes the Trinity and the Catholic church considers that a valid baptism. That person can go through a Faith Formation class (traditional class for 1st and 2nd graders, RCIC, or RCIA), and be considered prepared to receive the Eucharist in the Catholic church.
To those who say they just don't care and receive the Holy Eucharist in a Catholic church when they are not a member, I just have no words. Yes, it is between you and God. Absolutely. But I feel this is the highest disrespect you can offer to our Lord. The Catholic church does not practice closed communion because they are stingy and selfish and want to keep it all to themselves. It is to protect your soul when you are accepting what you do not truly understand or acknowledge.
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 20, 2014 3:30:08 GMT
First Holy Communion isn't a party. It's two years of Faith Formation classes *outside* of mass (sort of like Sunday School, but often it's on a week night.) The children celebrate their first rite of reconciliation, and they actively prepare for the reception of the Holy Eucharist. I don't mean to be scornful, but it isn't something that is just done on a whim. Does dedicate mean the same thing as baptize? Because in the Catholic faith, you aren't "re"baptized. Once is all that is necessary. I'm not sure that these are the same things, but I agree with BackToPeality. When you agreed to have your child baptized in the Catholic church, you agreed to raise that child Catholic. You should not have agreed to it if you didn't believe in it. But if the child was indeed baptized in a Catholic church, the child is now Catholic in the eyes of The Church.When I made my 1st communion our 'special' classes were very few. But then we did have at least an hour a day of catechism in school.
Your "special" classes were during school. Those who go to our parish school do not participate in the Faith Formation classes offered during the week. They get their Faith Formation during school.
no 're-baptism' in the CC? Can you then tell me why I (and my sisters) were all re-baptized? It wasn't because we wanted to.
I can't say why, as I don't know the circumstances of your initial baptism.
ah... the eyes of the CC. They are blind - and they mean nothing to me. Or to the great number of xCatholics I know - we're just a number the CC adds to their tally.
I understand that you do not respect the teaching of The Church. That is very obvious! I do recognize that you have the right not to follow the teachings of The Church. We all have that right and I respect that others have their own faith. I don't believe that is wrong; I just believe that Catholicism is the right path for me.
those of you so concerned about your child hearing something in another church during maybe 1 hr a wk.... do you send your kids to a public school? Do you let your kids play with non-Catholic kids?
Yes. But this isn't likely only one hour a week. It's the family practices in daily life, the Sunday School, the fellowship time... It's so much more than just one hour a week. We don't know what the biological mother is thinking. We only have a co workers take on what the step mother is telling her (the co worker.) That's a lot of degrees of separation from the truth. (Which none of us know.) I am only giving the view point of another Catholic mother.
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Post by *KatyCupcake* on Aug 20, 2014 3:32:10 GMT
Back to *pea*ality, I'm sorry you feel that way. I have respect for Catholics and understand how seriously the sacraments and traditions are to them. I appreciate where you're coming from. I personally prefer a more open denomination that doesn't restrict anyone from the family of God from participating in the sacraments that were practiced from the start by Christ Himself and the early church. Baptism and Communion are incredibly important to me- so important I don't feel comfortable with any man-made rules preventing any of my Christian brothers and sisters from taking part. In the terms of THIS discussion, I hold to my opinion as a Christian parent that both parents should have equal say in the Christian upbringing of their child and that a child attending more than one denomination of Christian church is not a terrible thing. You are sorry that I feel that way about the traditions of my faith? How very condescending of you. You clearly don't understand what others here have articulated better than I have so repeating it will serve no purpose. You are like a dog with a bone @katycupcake about what you *personally prefer*. *sigh* I meant I'm sorry you feel I'm being disrespectful to your faith. Not that I'm sorry YOU feel strongly about YOUR faith. I'm glad you feel strongly about your faith. I really do understand your position. Truly. I just don't share it. It's part of why I'm also not Catholic. I'm not trying to be like a dog with a bone- I'm simply participating in a discussion that I find incredibly interesting. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Aug 20, 2014 3:45:47 GMT
I agree with all of the above of MomofKandN, except the baptized Catholic part. As stated previously by others on this thread, you can be baptized in another faith that recognizes the Trinity and the Catholic church considers that a valid baptism. That person can go through a Faith Formation class (traditional class for 1st and 2nd graders, RCIC, or RCIA), and be considered prepared to receive the Eucharist in the Catholic church. To those who say they just don't care and receive the Holy Eucharist in a Catholic church when they are not a member, I just have no words. Yes, it is between you and God. Absolutely. But I feel this is the highest disrespect you can offer to our Lord. The Catholic church does not practice closed communion because they are stingy and selfish and want to keep it all to themselves. It is to protect your soul when you are accepting what you do not truly understand or acknowledge. To offer a different perspective - because I fully acknowledge and understand that clearly your faith is very important to you. My entire, massive family are cradle Catholics. Of the 200 odd cousins (yes I'm exaggerating, but only slightly), I don't know any that are more than Christmas and Easter church goers and the vast majority are wedding - funeral church goers. I fully understand that to many on this thread, we're basically heathens - BUT - to refuse to participate in the Eucharist at a wedding or funeral would be a HUGE deal. I imagine that intellectually the older members of my family realize that there is a whole more preparation needed to receive the sacrament - but I have to tell you - even the older regular church goers aren't going to confession and absolutely expect a baptized Catholic who isn't currently in jail to receive Communion. I remember the first "event" after my marriage (which was not in the Catholic church) - I knew that I was NOT considered married by the Catholic church, and certainly not "eligible" to receive communion. I was universally chastised and in some incidents berated for not going up for communion. These were folks who WERE regular attendees of mass, but in their minds it was a sign of me rejecting the church. In my, admittedly, limited experience, there is a whole lot of folks who take quite literally the baptized a Catholic always a Catholic to heart - and consider a state of grace much, much more loosely than those who are more devout. I in no way want to disrespect your belief or faith - it's just that there's quite a few very devout Catholics posting. Much of what has been stated is pretty different for someone who's family would absolutely consider their Catholic faith important - but certainly takes a bit more of a flexible view of some of the "rules" - there's a reason my grandparents had 11 and 15 children, but none of their children had more than 3. |
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Post by bc2ca on Aug 20, 2014 3:47:24 GMT
Thank you momofkandn for taking the time to write out your post and express what I wasn't able to I think we are going to have to split the difference here monklady123. Having attended an Orthodox Church since getting married I didn't realize the Episcopalian Church had moved to open communion, so apologize for including "and confirmed" in my statement. I had to be both baptized and confirmed before taking my first communion, but that was a long time ago. They, and most mainline Protestant churches, do still require you to be baptized. Some mainline Protestant churches (some Lutheran, Calvinist) and the Orthodox church have closed communion requiring both baptism and confirmation to participate. And you are correct darcy Collins, the Catholic church does allow communion before confirmation I still stand by original statement that what cycworker said "And yes, rules be damned. I take communuion when I'm there." to be completely disrespectful of a church that she knows has closed communion. I'm sorry that message was lost. |
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Post by *KatyCupcake* on Aug 20, 2014 3:51:45 GMT
Oy. If you are not "baptized and confirmed as a member" you are still welcome at my church's communion table. And at most of the mainline Protestant ones.And I was the one who made the comment about nuns. I know one who is this teeny thing, doesn't even come up to my shoulder. You should see her stand up to anyone who's trying to make trouble in the ER waiting room, or anywhere else in the hospital. lol. Nobody gives Sister any trouble. And no one calls her "Sister Mary Patrick" [not her real name], it's only "Sister." "Sister is coming, she'll take care of it!" lolol. I've seen the bolded above expressed several times at the old two peas and it always bothered me. I don't think you understand how important communion is to Catholics. In fact, it isn't called communion, its called Holy Eucharist. Because Catholics believe it is the actual body and blood of Christ, it has much more significance then a symbol of communion with fellow church members. That is definitely one issue I take with the Catholic teachings- that THEIR communion is more important to their believers than it is to believers in other denominations. I will tell you that while I don't believe the Communion elements actually become the body and blood of Jesus Christ, taking Communion is an incredibly important part of my faith and something that shouldn't be done on a whim without having your heart prepared and being in a place of repentance and remembrance of Christ's broken body and shed blood that provides my salvation. But I believe the condition of my heart when I take communion is between me and Christ alone- no one else can determine if my heart is prepared and in the right place as I go before Christ. I'm not "condemning" Catholics for believing it IS the actual body and blood when they take the Eucharist. However, I personally chose to attend a denomination of church that welcomes ALL believers in Christ to take communion without having special permission. It is because Communion IS so important to me that I feel all of the Family of God should be welcomed to the table for the Lord's Supper. When I attend services with extended family members at Lutheran and Catholic churches, I feel very unwelcome when it comes time for Communion/Eucharist. While I know nobody would question me if I were to just get up and go partake, I don't because I have enough respect for their rules even if I disagree. I do feel that Christ wouldn't turn away any one of His children who came before Him to remember Him as He instructed. I do know my extended family would also be very offended if I decided to disregard their theological teachings and go take Communion/Eucharist without having gone through their church's classes or discussing my faith with the pastor before the service. I love my family and respect the faith they have chosen too much to offend them that way. Instead, I simply sit in the pew alone and pray quietly and ask Christ to continue His work in and through me. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Aug 20, 2014 4:10:40 GMT
I've seen the bolded above expressed several times at the old two peas and it always bothered me. I don't think you understand how important communion is to Catholics. In fact, it isn't called communion, its called Holy Eucharist. Because Catholics believe it is the actual body and blood of Christ, it has much more significance then a symbol of communion with fellow church members. That is definitely one issue I take with the Catholic teachings- that THEIR communion is more important to their believers than it is to believers in other denominations. I will tell you that while I don't believe the Communion elements actually become the body and blood of Jesus Christ, taking Communion is an incredibly important part of my faith and something that shouldn't be done on a whim without having your heart prepared and being in a place of repentance and remembrance of Christ's broken body and shed blood that provides my salvation. But I believe the condition of my heart when I take communion is between me and Christ alone- no one else can determine if my heart is prepared and in the right place as I go before Christ. I'm not "condemning" Catholics for believing it IS the actual body and blood when they take the Eucharist. However, I personally chose to attend a denomination of church that welcomes ALL believers in Christ to take communion without having special permission. It is because Communion IS so important to me that I feel all of the Family of God should be welcomed to the table for the Lord's Supper. When I attend services with extended family members at Lutheran and Catholic churches, I feel very unwelcome when it comes time for Communion/Eucharist. While I know nobody would question me if I were to just get up and go partake, I don't because I have enough respect for their rules even if I disagree. I do feel that Christ wouldn't turn away any one of His children who came before Him to remember Him as He instructed. I do know my extended family would also be very offended if I decided to disregard their theological teachings and go take Communion/Eucharist without having gone through their church's classes or discussing my faith with the pastor before the service. I love my family and respect the faith they have chosen too much to offend them that way. Instead, I simply sit in the pew alone and pray quietly and ask Christ to continue His work in and through me. I always think it's interesting to hear others perspectives - see to me, it's not about the Catholic communion being more important to their believers - it's that they have a fundamentally different belief ie that it is the actual body and blood of Christ. I have been to several Christian churches where the communion is truly that a taking of bread and "wine" in remembrance of the last supper and in communion of other believers. It's not seen or viewed as a sacrament to anyone there. A tray of mini grape juices and tiny pieces of bread were passes around. |
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Post by *KatyCupcake* on Aug 20, 2014 4:33:57 GMT
Darcy, you're right in that it isn't called a "sacrament" where I attend, and, yes it is a tray passed around (our church is very large and it would take a very very long time to have each row come up). Once everyone has their communion elements, the pastor walks us through the Scriptures where Jesus gives His disciples communion and we all take it together as one big Family of God. It is taught that all who consider themselves a part of the family of God are welcome to take communion but it is advised that we prepare our hearts in reverent worship and repentance to come before Christ. It is taught that Communion is a very important element of our faith because of Christ's directive in Scripture to His disciples. It's part of what atones us- makes us "at one" with Him to recognize and hold to the broken body and shed blood that bought us our Salvation.
Now I cannot speak for the other members of my church and their attitude when taking communion, but for ME the trays of wafers and little cups that are passed around are far more than simply wafers and juice when I hold them and bring my heart before Christ in Communion. They represent the highest price that could have ever been paid in order to allow me the chance to come to God at all. It's because of that body that was broken and that blood that was shed that I'm even allowed to approach the presence of God. So I'm not taking communion lightly. It is a very significant part of my relationship with my Savior.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Aug 20, 2014 5:02:16 GMT
I hope that I didn't insinuate that anyone in particular on this thread took communion lightly KatyCupcake. I have no doubt that there are as many different approaches to communion as there are churches, with a wide, wide variety of approaches. In the particular church I visited, it was just such a stark contrast to what I was used to. THIS church - truly seemed to see it as a celebration of togetherness - which is wonderful. But when you're used to the Eucharist being a sacrament and the minister hardly acknowledges the passing of bread and juice and audience member simply start passing trays of grape juice and bread pieces while the a band plays - it's just very hard to compare that to the Eucharist in a Catholic Church. And that just make discussions of open versus closed communion pretty much apples and oranges.
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Post by *KatyCupcake* on Aug 20, 2014 5:21:16 GMT
I hope that I didn't insinuate that anyone in particular on this thread took communion lightly KatyCupcake. I have no doubt that there are as many different approaches to communion as there are churches, with a wide, wide variety of approaches. In the particular church I visited, it was just such a stark contrast to what I was used to. THIS church - truly seemed to see it as a celebration of togetherness - which is wonderful. But when you're used to the Eucharist being a sacrament and the minister hardly acknowledges the passing of bread and juice and audience member simply start passing trays of grape juice and bread pieces while the a band plays - it's just very hard to compare that to the Eucharist in a Catholic Church. And that just make discussions of open versus closed communion pretty much apples and oranges. You did not. But others did which is why I clarified it's deep significance to me and how my congregation does it. Thank you for trying to understand where I'm coming from and being respectful. I do think my husband (having come from an even more strict denomination) would like a little more reverence placed on our "open" communion style because it would be easy for just anyone to take a wafer and cup without holding true to the significance of the body and blood that bring atonement. I understand that... but don't know if there's a way to do so without closing it or making some believers feel unwelcome. I also ask him if he can honestly promise that everyone he was confirmed with and everyone in our extended Lutheran and Catholic families who do have closed communion/Eucharist has their heart in the right place when they go before the pastor or priest to receive it and he agrees either way, it's something only God Himself can see. Because some of our Christmas and Easter extended family live the other 363 days of the year as if Christ never broke His body or shed His blood for them, yet someone who is committed to living their faith every day would be turned away if they hadn't gone through the religious classes required. So ultimately it comes down to our individual hearts. I have no doubt that when I sit alone in the pew visiting extended family's churches Christ makes good on His word inside of me as I "take communion" in my heart rather than doing so physically. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 20, 2014 5:44:31 GMT
That is definitely one issue I take with the Catholic teachings- that THEIR communion is more important to their believers than it is to believers in other denominations.
It's not meant to ostracize you or others not participating in communion. You are very welcome to come forward and receive a blessing. Simply cross your arms over the front of your body and bow your head. Any Eucharistic minister can give you a blessing--it doesn't have to come from just a priest. If you look around, you will likely see many others not taking communion. Some remain in the pew, some go up for a blessing, and some leave when communion begins. There are many reasons why a person may not take communion. Maybe they are attending a service again that day (many will say that they don't take communion twice in the same day), they may not feel they are in a state of grace, or they may be visitors. It's all ok. And if a family member comments on you not taking communion, you can just calmly say that you were not comfortable or not prepared to partake that day. It's nothing to be shameful of.I'll admit, I cringe at this as well. It seems more like snack time than celebrating the Holy Eucharist. That doesn't make it less meaningful to the faithful worshipping, but it was definitely less meaningful to me. It's a good example of why I don't participate in communion in those situations. To me, it's not even close to the same thing. Communion only takes about 10 minutes in a Catholic church--the time it takes to sing two songs. I was at mass on Easter Sunday at Notre Dame. It was standing room only and even that was packed. But it still only took about 10 minutes for us to celebrate the Holy Eucharist. I was really amazed that it went so fast. There were a lot of Eucharistic ministers there that day! |
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Post by Skypea on Aug 20, 2014 9:20:05 GMT
When I made my 1st communion our 'special' classes were very few. But then we did have at least an hour a day of catechism in school.
Actually, as I posted we did have 'special classes', just not 2 yrs of them as you had prev posted. (using 'quote' only carried over 2 posts deep so your other post dropped off)
no 're-baptism' in the CC? Can you then tell me why I (and my sisters) were all re-baptized It wasn't because we wanted to.
right, yet you had posted that Catholics didn't re-baptize, once was enough. Evidently not.
ah... the eyes of the CC. They are blind - and they mean nothing to me. Or to the great number of xCatholics I know - we're just a number the CC adds to their tally. those of you so concerned about your child hearing something in another church during maybe 1 hr a wk.... do you send your kids to a public school? Do you let your kids play with non-Catholic kids? |
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,895
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Aug 20, 2014 10:55:52 GMT
I sincerely regret asking this question. There are so many more details, but I won't elaborate. This has turned into something ugly. Jesus loves us all!  Are you serious? Ugly? This is the Peas. If you had given us some more of the details we could've probably had a more productive discussion. |
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Aug 20, 2014 10:58:28 GMT
And yes, you need to be in a state of grace and have confessed any concupiscence. Threw that last word in for AmeliaBloomer  |
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Aug 20, 2014 11:21:37 GMT
The rules for Catholic communion are not just being Catholic and being in a state of grace (having confessed any mortal sin). Eligibility also includes belief in transubstantiation. That's a biggie. They're saying, "Join us at the table if we all agree what is being served." Not necessarily unwelcoming. There are some non-Roman Catholic exceptions, but you can't receive if you're from a church that is not "united" with the Church (e.g. Ukrainian Catholics can receive, but not Greek Orthodox Catholics, I think.) Schism is still a pretty big deal in the Catholic Church. They're still waiting for Protestants and many Eastern Rite Catholics to come to their senses and return to the flock.  (Just explaining doctrine here. I'm of of the lapsed variety...) |
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Post by monklady123 on Aug 20, 2014 11:29:08 GMT
I sincerely regret asking this question. There are so many more details, but I won't elaborate. This has turned into something ugly. Jesus loves us all! Are you serious? Ugly? This is the Peas. If you had given us some more of the details we could've probably had a more productive discussion. I can't find Kelly's post that Peabay is quoting, so I'll just quote Peabay quoting Kelly. Anyway, I don't think this really turned ugly. I thought it was an interesting discussion. Lots of disagreement, but I didn't see it turning as awful as I've seen some threads on the old board. Anything to do with religion, politics, and maybe a few others -- parenting choices perhaps (lol) -- is bound to have disagreements among those who reply because that's life. I find it interesting, not "ugly". At least not in this case, mostly. |
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Post by momofkandn on Aug 20, 2014 11:32:03 GMT
I've seen the bolded above expressed several times at the old two peas and it always bothered me. I don't think you understand how important communion is to Catholics. In fact, it isn't called communion, its called Holy Eucharist. Because Catholics believe it is the actual body and blood of Christ, it has much more significance then a symbol of communion with fellow church members. That is definitely one issue I take with the Catholic teachings- that THEIR communion is more important to their believers than it is to believers in other denominations. I will tell you that while I don't believe the Communion elements actually become the body and blood of Jesus Christ, taking Communion is an incredibly important part of my faith and something that shouldn't be done on a whim without having your heart prepared and being in a place of repentance and remembrance of Christ's broken body and shed blood that provides my salvation. But I believe the condition of my heart when I take communion is between me and Christ alone- no one else can determine if my heart is prepared and in the right place as I go before Christ. I'm not "condemning" Catholics for believing it IS the actual body and blood when they take the Eucharist. However, I personally chose to attend a denomination of church that welcomes ALL believers in Christ to take communion without having special permission. It is because Communion IS so important to me that I feel all of the Family of God should be welcomed to the table for the Lord's Supper. When I attend services with extended family members at Lutheran and Catholic churches, I feel very unwelcome when it comes time for Communion/Eucharist. While I know nobody would question me if I were to just get up and go partake, I don't because I have enough respect for their rules even if I disagree. I do feel that Christ wouldn't turn away any one of His children who came before Him to remember Him as He instructed. I do know my extended family would also be very offended if I decided to disregard their theological teachings and go take Communion/Eucharist without having gone through their church's classes or discussing my faith with the pastor before the service. I love my family and respect the faith they have chosen too much to offend them that way. Instead, I simply sit in the pew alone and pray quietly and ask Christ to continue His work in and through me. My post was not worded very well. I was only trying to communicate communion's significance to Catholics. I have no doubt that you and those in other Christian faiths view communion as a very important part of your faith. But I agree with Darcy that to compare Holy Eucharist and Communion is comparing apples to oranges. There are other places in the Catholic mass where the congregation communes with each other in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. There is the sign of peace, and several places where prayers are said for everyone in the world and all the people attending mass that day. I can't remember the official names of those prayers but I know they are there. And again, as a non-Catholic you are very welcome to come up during Eucharist and receive a blessing even if you can't partake in the wafer and wine. You are participating in the remembrance of Christ's sacrifice if you are reciting the prayers said during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. You are welcome to participate in that entire part of the mass. They only ask that you do not actually eat the wafer or drink the wine because to Catholics it is a sacrament that requires preparation and instruction. If anyone has been criticized for not partaking during Eucharist, Catholic or not, then those doing the criticizing are not following the teachings of the Catholic Church. I respect your views on this and didn't mean to make you feel like I was questioning the significance of communion to you. I actually don't believe that it's transformed into the actual body and blood of Christ either. But I fully respect the beliefs of the Church. And I don't feel unwelcome at mass at all even if I am not allowed to receive Eucharist. |
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Deleted
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Oct 10, 2024 8:18:05 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2014 11:58:05 GMT
They're still waiting for Protestants to come to their senses and return to the flock. (Just explaining doctrine here. I'm of of the lapsed variety...) O dear I don't think Henry would agree that his Anglican Church should do that  |
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AmeliaBloomer
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Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Aug 20, 2014 12:14:17 GMT
They're still waiting for Protestants to come to their senses and return to the flock. (Just explaining doctrine here. I'm of of the lapsed variety...) O dear I don't think Henry would agree that his Anglican should do that Overall, I think it would be a hoot to apply "What would Henry do?" to today's problems. He certainly met problems face-on. |
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Deleted
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Oct 10, 2024 8:18:05 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2014 12:17:43 GMT
O dear I don't think Henry would agree that his Anglican should do that Overall, I think it would be a hoot to apply "What would Henry do?" to today's problems. He certainly met problems face-on. No kidding he did  ETA - to remove a flippant comment not appropriate as things stand in the world today |
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Post by I-95 on Aug 20, 2014 12:57:45 GMT
I sincerely regret asking this question. There are so many more details, but I won't elaborate. This has turned into something ugly. Jesus loves us all! Ugly? Honey, you ain't ever seen ugly This thread has been pretty tame considering the subject matter, but why won't you share more details? It's not like we know you, or your friend. If you supplied us with a few more basic details we could go another 10 pages. |
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Post by *KatyCupcake* on Aug 20, 2014 14:51:14 GMT
I don't think this thread has turned ugly at all. I think it has turned into a genuine discussion about parenting within the Christian faith and a chance to hear from fellow sisters (and brothers?) in Christ and learn from one another's different understandings of some important elements of our shared faith.
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AmeliaBloomer
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Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Aug 20, 2014 15:41:14 GMT
I realize that I've contributed to this thread, but not actually answered the OP's question. My answer: "It depends." If I were a True Blue Catholic (I'm not), I would insist that Catholic regulations be followed; namely, the child should not receive Communion in the Christian Protestant church, and she should attend mass every Sunday, in addition to the Christian Protestant service. As a Cultural Catholic (I am), I couldn't care less if my child attended most mainline Protestant services, even weekly. I would have grave reservations about an Evangelical/Fundamentalist Christian church, as I disagree with their literal interpretation of Scripture, and how that plays out in lifestyle, cultural, and political choices. As someone looking back on an upbringing steeped in Catholicism (and I am), I would think more people would be unhappy that their non-Catholic child was attending Catholic Mass and instruction than a (my kind of) Catholic would object to the reverse. From the outside looking in, some Catholic stuff seems pretty strange - especially without the benefit of context or lifetime familiarity. There! I think that was decidedly un-ugly. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 20, 2014 15:57:09 GMT
Skypea, I would respectfully suggest that you stay off that Catholic forum that you are on. I'm not sure it's the right place for you.
No, I wouldn't say this has all turned ugly. It's interesting to see all the different takes on what we all see as Christianity. For a faith like Catholicism that is so steeped in centuries of tradition as well as doctrine, you can see how misunderstandings and errors occur, even in The Church itself.
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Post by sillyrabbit on Aug 20, 2014 16:30:06 GMT
I attend a nondenominational Christian church. We have communion every week. Yes, we use grape juice and crackers. No, we do not think the juice and wafer turn into the blood and body of Christ, but we do see it as symbolic of that. It is not a time of communion with fellow church members, but a time for reflection on the life of Christ and his sacrifice for our sins. It is a very sacred part of our service. I'm certain you didn't mean to be offensive Basket1lady but referring to it as "snack time" seems a bit derogatory. While my church allows anyone who feels drawn to partake in communion to do just that, I understand that Catholic churches don't want non-Catholics to participate in their Holy Eucharist. I don't see that as an issue in the least. They can make any set of rules that they want. But to make it seem that other churches view communion as less sacred and just some church members coming together to share some juice and crackers and hang out with each other isn't accurate at all. At least not in my church. |
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And no one calls her "Sister Mary Patrick" [not her real name], it's only "Sister." "Sister is coming, she'll take care of it!" lolol.
My dh still is. My kids were baptized there. I was just responding to the part where whoever-it-was said "if you had any respect for religion you would never take communion in a denomination that you are not baptized and confirmed as a member." She's not pointing to the Catholic church here, just any denomination, so her statement is not true. You do not have to be baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian church before you can take communion there. You do not have to be baptized and confirmed in a Methodist church before you can take communion there. etc. That's all I was responding to. 
