4Real Forums: Wedding Program wording for non-Catholics

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Topic: Wedding Program wording for non-Catholics

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Angie Mc
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Posted: May 31 2013 at 2:37pm \| IP Logged

Ladies, Devin is putting together a program to be handed to our guests at the Church. We want to include wording that positively expresses the limits of participation in the Eucharist. We want non-Catholics to know that the most polite thing to do is to not receive. There is a lot of confusion, especially back here compared to the N/E, about this. Many people will feel it is rude not to receive. We will gently ask our priest to address this matter also, but while we love him, speaking about such things isn't his strong suit.

Thanks so much! As always! So spoiled to be able to come here for such help

.

Love,

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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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JennGM
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Posted: May 31 2013 at 3:11pm \| IP Logged

I used the wording from the Bishops' Conference. We just had a discussion about this a month or so ago, but I can't find the thread.

Quote:

Guidelines for Receiving Communion

For Catholics

Catholics fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when they receive Holy Communion in fulfillment of Christ’s command to eat His Body and drink His Blood. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, communicants should not be conscious of grave sin, have fasted for an hour, and seek to live in charity and love with their neighbors. Persons conscious of grave sin must first be reconciled with God and the Church through the Sacrament of Penance. A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

For Other Christians

We welcome to this celebration of the Eucharist those Christians who are not fully united with us. It is a consequence of the sad division in Christianity that we cannot extend to them a general invitation to receive Communion. Catholics believe that the Eucharist is an action of the celebrating community signifying a oneness in faith, life and worship of the community. Reception of the Eucharist by Christians not fully united with us would imply a oneness which does not yet exist, and for which we must all pray.

For Those Not Receiving Communion

Those not receiving sacramental Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

For Non-Christians

We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus. While we cannot extend to them an invitation to receive Communion, we do invite them to be united with us in prayer.

National Conference of Catholic Bishops

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Jennifer G. Miller
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Angie Mc
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Posted: May 31 2013 at 4:08pm \| IP Logged

Thanks always, Jenn!

Devin's program will be small so we will need to summarize. I think on this and be back. Any ideas?

Love,

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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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JodieLyn
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Posted: May 31 2013 at 4:24pm \| IP Logged

Maybe something like this Angie?

Quote:

We welcome you to this celebration of the Eucharist and provide these guidelines for Receiving Communion.

Catholics should not be conscious of grave sin, have fasted for an hour, and seek to live in charity and love with their neighbors.

Those Christians who are not fully united with us and others not Christian. We regret that as a consequence of the sad division in Christianity that we cannot extend a general invitation to receive Communion. Catholics believe that the Eucharist is an action of the celebrating community signifying a oneness in faith, life and worship of the community. Reception of the Eucharist would imply a oneness which does not yet exist, and for which we must all pray.

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MaryM
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Posted: May 31 2013 at 5:43pm \| IP Logged

There is this thread at Catholic Answers with another wording.

I know the full USCCB wording is what is preferred. But the USCCB wording is in most of the pew missals I've seen. So it could be possible to have something really short in the program indicating the communion guidelines are on page-- of the missal, if your church has those in the pews.

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Mary M. in Denver

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SuzanneG
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Posted: May 31 2013 at 7:38pm \| IP Logged

Holy Communion is reserved for those Catholics who are in a state of grace, have properly prepared themselves for receiving the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus, and have observed the Eucharistic fast. If you are non-Catholic or a Catholic not able to receive the Eucharist, please refrain from coming forward, yet join the us in prayer at this most sacred moment.

or a version that doesn't "itemize".......

The Church kindly asks non-Catholics and those Catholics who are not presently disposed to receive the Eucharist to refrain from coming forward, yet to join us in prayer at this most sacred moment.

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Suzanne in ID
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Angie Mc
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Posted: May 31 2013 at 8:27pm \| IP Logged

SuzanneG wrote:

The Church kindly asks non-Catholics and those Catholics who are not presently disposed to receive the Eucharist to refrain from coming forward, yet to join us in prayer at this most sacred moment.

This combined with a reference to the missal for further instructions may be just the ticket!

Thanks, everyone! It does sadden my heart to know there are some on Michael's side who are very unhappy that Michael is being married in the Church. Some are hostile. But most are just a little confused and/or a little sad. Some were Catholics at some point, or their parents were. Anyway, our goal is to be as gentle as possible and to not give any additional fuel to their fire, while also giving direction as a way to set everyone up for success.

Deep breathing.....deep breathing....

Love,

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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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guitarnan
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Posted: May 31 2013 at 9:38pm \| IP Logged

Hang in there, Angie!

It's just wonderful that Devin and Michael are sharing their special day AND their faith with everyone they love. Their (and your) kind, gentle approach to sharing this particular teaching will help all the wedding guests feel loved and respected.

In fact, that is what this important teaching does for non-Catholic guests at Mass - respects their faith choices, while expressing a longing that the entire Church feels for resolution of those differences. If a guest chooses to feel insulted, that will be his/her issue, not Devin's or Michael's.

Devin's situation reminds me of my own wedding; my husband's family was not Catholic (he converted) and many of of our college friends weren't Catholic, either. I'll be praying for Devin and Michael as they prepare for their special day, and for you and Dave as you help them through these final crazy times.

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jawgee
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Posted: May 31 2013 at 9:58pm \| IP Logged

We just went through this with my DS's First Communion. I used the wording from the USCCB, but we still had a family member who is no longer in the church but received. It's such a difficult situation.

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teachingmom
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Posted: June 01 2013 at 1:38pm \| IP Logged

Just popped in here after checking an old thread that was bumped up . . . and I find that Angie's daughter is getting married?! Where have the years flown? Congratulations to Angie and Devin!

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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)

MaryM
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Posted: June 01 2013 at 6:13pm \| IP Logged

teachingmom wrote:

Just popped in here after checking an old thread that was bumped up . . . and I find that Angie's daughter is getting married?! Where have the years flown? Congratulations to Angie and Devin!

Where have the years flown??? That is what I've been thinking too! In addition to Angie - Willa's daughter got married in May, Elizabeth's son in December. Upcoming in addition to Devin, Cay's daughter in October, my son in August. Lots of weddings this year for people connected to 4 Real and CCM.

Any others?

Seriously the time has flown by...

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Mary M. in Denver

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teachingmom
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Virginia Bluebells

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Posted: June 01 2013 at 8:56pm \| IP Logged

MaryM wrote:

Any others?

Seriously the time has flown by...

So many 4Real children have grown up! It's really amazing. I had known about some of those weddings via Facebook, but some are news to me. Congratulations all around!

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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)

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