Is it okay for Catholics to receive communion in a Protestant church?

Last week a parishioner told me he was going to a wedding in a Protestant church where holy communion would be offered. He asked if it would be okay for him to receive. I told him there are a number of things we believe about the Eucharist that are different from our Protestant brothers and sisters. Among them is the belief that the Eucharist is a sign of unity. When we receive Holy Communion, it is a sign of our common Catholic faith – seven sacraments, heaven, hell, and purgatory, the primacy of the pope, the real presence of Jesus (body, blood, soul, and divinity) in the Eucharist, apostolic succession of bishops, and the necessity of valid orders to confect the Eucharist. We are in communion with the Church and one another. However, since we are not in communion in faith with our Protestant brothers and sisters, it would be a false sign for us to receive communion in one of their churches and for a Protestant to receive communion in a Catholic church. Furthermore, the Catholic Church does not believe that Jesus is present in the host at a Protestant service. To respond Amen (I believe) when offered a host at a Protestant service, is not what the Catholic Church believes, and we would be disloyal to do so.

All of this is not to put down our Protestant brothers and sisters, there are many good people among them and there is much good in their churches. They just don’t have the fullness of what Christ wants in his church. That only subsists in the Catholic Church.

Let us pray for our Church and for the day when all Christians will be united in faith.

- Fr. Carl

A Heartfelt Thank You…

Dear Parishioners,

It has been a gift from God to be part of St. Jane Frances Parish these past 2-1/2 years. The support shown to me, and the sincere faith of the parishioners, has been inspiring. I’m also grateful for all of the wisdom and camaraderie of Fr. Carl and the parish staff, and also the efforts of the parish secretaries to help keep me organized.

Please keep me in your prayers as I embark on my new adventure in ministry at Sacred Heart and St. Charles parishes. I will remember you frequently in my prayers and as I celebrate the Eucharist.

In The Lord,
Fr. John Jicha

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Very few of us would be as crass as the man in today’s gospel (Luke 14:1, 7-14). However, we all seek approval and appreciation of one kind or another. That’s human nature, and there is nothing wrong with it. It’s how we go about it that matters. The man in the gospel arrogantly grasped for it. He assumed that it was his entitlement to have the place of honor. It was an act of self-pride. However, pride is not a virtue, humility is. The person most highly honored by God was and is, Mary, who is noted for her humility. If we want the highest honor and sign of approval, then we must imitate Mary. Only God’s final approval really counts for anything.

- Fr. Carl

When It Rains, It Pours!

It’s hard to believe that the summer is coming to an end. It seems like only yesterday that I made that wonderful pilgrimage to see the Shroud in Turin and attend the Passion Play in Oberammergau. In addition to the personnel changes I mentioned in last week’s bulletin, we have been busy sprucing up the campus here. The tiles under the pews received some much needed attention. They received several coats of sealer and several coats of wax which will, hopefully, extend their life span. The floor of the school/parish hall has been cleaned and waxed. Finally, the bathrooms in the hall have been completely renovated and are beautiful. With all the expense and hard work put into these projects, we ask you to treat them with TLC so that we can be proud of our facilities and enjoy them for many years to come.

However, there is more to be done. Isn’t there always? The rain these past several weeks revealed some leaks in the church, sacristy, and hall roofs which will need repairs. Thanks, again, for your extra donations to our building and maintenance funds. Your generosity has helped us keep on functioning.

God Bless,
Fr. Carl

Hail and Farewell

“Ave atque vale.” That’s Latin for “Hail and farewell.” This month we say “Hail” to Joanne Haney who joins us as our new Director of Faith Formation or DRE. She will also be our new Youth Minister. Joanne comes to us with vast experience in both ministries, and we are blessed to have her join our staff.

At the same time, we say “Farewell” to Melissa Boyle who has been our Youth Minister for the last seven years, and has been involved in extensive volunteer work for many more years. She will be teaching religion at Seton Keough High School where I know she will do a fantastic job. However, Melissa will not be leaving the parish; she will continue to volunteer here wherever her talents are needed. We wish her all the best in her new career as a teacher and as a mother when her baby arrives this fall.

Finally, we say “Farewell” to Father John who leaves for a new assignment at Sacred Heart Glyndon. Fr. John stepped in and kept the parish running smoothly in the interim between Fr. Cunningham’s departure. He was also a tremendous help when I arrived, providing wisdom and insight into the parish operations and personalities. I wish him all the best in his new assignment.

There will be a farewell reception with light refreshments to honor and thank Fr. John on Saturday, August 28th after the 5:00 p.m. Mass in our Parish Hall.

- Fr. Carl

Antidote for Greed

Last Sunday we heard the story of the rich man whose crops yielded such a rich harvest that he had to build bigger ones to store the extra grain. Jesus said he was foolish because he thought only of himself. He was a poor steward of God’s material blessings because he did not share with the poor and needy, nor did he give anything to support the temple. He was a greedy and selfish steward. This week Jesus gives us the antidote for greed. He tells us to give alms to the poor, for in giving our money to those in need, we gain a treasure we cannot lose, a treasure that cannot be destroyed, a treasure that will last for eternity. All we have to do is be generous stewards of God’s gifts.

- Fr. Carl

Be Both Wise and Happy

The other day on the radio, I heard that many of us are not saving enough money for retirement. We are spending but not saving. In short, we are very foolish, for the day will come when we find ourselves in a financial crunch. We are very unwise.

In today’s Gospel, we hear the story of a rich man who does just the opposite. He saves and he stores away tremendous wealth for the future. Yet Jesus calls him a fool. He is a fool because he saves his wealth for himself only. He was selfish. He should have spent some of his wealth on the poor and the needy. Had he been generous with his wealth, he would have been storing up riches in heaven. He would have been a wise man and a good steward of God’s gifts.

Let us pray for the grace to become better stewards of God’s gifts. Certainly we have to save for our future financial needs and not waste money on frivolous pleasures. But we also need to be generous in giving of our time, talent, and treasure to God. Then we will be both wise and happy.

- Fr. Carl