For Catholics
Catholics fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist in receiving Holy Communion. They are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. All Catholics are encouraged to celebrate the Sacraments of Communion and Penance regularly.
For other Christians
We welcome our fellow Christians to our celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in the 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 to the community, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion.
For Those Not Receiving Communion
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another. They are invited to enter the Communion line with arms crossed over the chest and hands on both shoulders. The priest or lay minister will offer them a blessing.
For Non-Christians
We also welcome to our 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 for the peace and unity of the human family, and we encourage them to follow the guidelines for those not receiving Communion.
Please reach out to a member of the Pastoral Staff with any questions.