how come if u r not Catholic u can't recieve communion?
964614
At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “Take this bread. It is my body.” The he said, “Take this and drink. This is my blood. Do this in memory of me.” \n\nCatholics believe this was the First Eucharist, that through some miracle the bread and wine actually became the body and blood of Jesus Christ.\n\nCatholics reenact the Last Supper during every Mass, where the priest, acting in place of Christ, changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.\n\nThis is a great sacrament of thanksgiving and unity of Catholics.\n\nAnyone who does not believe in the actual presence of Christ and is not united with the Catholic faith is asked, out of respect, not to receive the Eucharist.\n\nCatholics, out of respect for other Christian faiths, do not receive Communion in non-Catholic churches.\n\nWe pray that one day Christian unity will succeed and we will all be called to the same table.\n\nWith love in Christ.
558665
Like the answerer above me, I too went through the RCIA and none of my immediate family is Catholic. In fact, my mother is still very much against religion and against Christianity in particular.\n\nIf you are baptized, confirmed, and believe in the authority given by Jesus to the Church, and to the office of the Pope in particular, and therefore fully accept all dogma and doctrine that the Magisterium of the Church teaches then you are a true Catholic.\n\nCatholic means universal. So Catholic Church means universal Church. To be Catholic means being of one mind and one faith in communion with the Church which is the body of Christ. \n\nIf one insists on following their own individual beliefs apart from the dogma or doctrine of the Church then they are not Catholic because they are isolating themselves from the universal family of the Church. They are not universal, so they are not Catholic.
1117212
Anglicans believe it is merely symbolic where as Roman Catholics believe they are actually consuming the body and blood of Christ. Go ahead and compare!\n\nRoman Catholic: \nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucharist_%28Catholic_Church%29\nhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm\n\nAnglican: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Eucharistic_theology
354113
No one can be in favour of abortion and be simultaneously a Catholic. It's one or the other. You might continue attending Mass and whatever else but your pro-choice belief is totally at odds with the faith of the Church and automatically excludes you from being in full communion with Christ and His Church.
121247
your friend is crazy, she/he might be looking to increase member to their dwindling religious denomination. i was a practicing catholic; not anymore, i understand to a degree what you are saying. my dear if you feel enlightened by going to different churches than continue to do so. do not listen to your friend, this is exactly what I have said in the past. think for yourself and do what make you happy. think about it what's next your friend is going to say yo uare going to hell for buying the wrong brand of milk?
761430
I am Catholic.  There are many organizations at school and other places where people of all faiths get together to pray, have fun, and serve others.\n\nI hope that you are able to do this in your town.  If not, take the first step and invite the Catholics to participate in some community service project or celebration.  It is a great time of the year to start.
1052180
Those who chose to ignore it are not following the Christian faith.  And most of us do not ignore it.\n\nhttp://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
696001
u tell them that they r getting hung-up on terminology we all have a biological father, then there is God the source of all goodness and creation, why stress yourself over something like that? or them for that matter? if you accept  Jesus Christ as the savior why are they upset with you? im Protestant and i never had a problem with Catholics because we are all on the same team
240282
Many Catholic schools offer CCD classes.  Also, if a church parish does NOT have a school, they may still offer CCD classes.\n\nI am so happy to hear you want your little one to learn about her faith and to receive Holy Communion.  If you really want to "bond" consider taking a class or 2 yourself so you can learn more about your faith.  That way, you can grow in love for each other and strengthen your faith.\n\nAfter she makes her Communion, please commit to continue to allow her to get religious education, and take her to church.  So many of the parents in our church parish baptize their baby, have them make their Communion, then fall out of sight.  If it's that important that your child is baptized and makes her communion, it should be important that you practice your faith, too.\n\nGod Bless!
268488
The catholic church belives that in order to reach salvation you must not only have faith in god but also recive the sacraments. Its a requirement! so its really not a choice for them.  I on the other hand find it to be ridiculus and a major distraction from what jesus was all about.  They orginated much much later after the death of christ... you would of thought he would have mentioned them if they were that important.
85961
And people wonder why Catholics leave the church.  Sheesh.\n\nOn baptism, your priest should have allowed it.  According to the catechism of the church, anyone who has not recieved baptism may do so.  Plus, from a practical standpoint, why would the church or some dufus priest disallow a child born out of wedlock NOT to enter the church, be "born-again" (as that what baptism is about), or to have original and personal sins forgiven by baptism.  Your child did not have a choice in his birth circumstances so why should he be punished.  \n\nBut none of this answers your question.\n\nMy suggestion is since you're not tied to any one denomination yet, try a few different services/churches and see what "fits".   That is, what denomination and service is conducive to YOUR spiritual connection with God.  \nLutheran, to me seems much closer to Catholic than Baptist. Nothing against Baptists.  But I would go with either Lutheran or Catholic since you're both connected to those and since one child was baptised lutheran and the other has not religious affiliation.\n\nAgain, try a few services and see what suits your family.\n\nGod bless and good luck.\nMy opinion is to try different churches (denominations)
244942
It actually depends on their diocese.  I know the bishop in ours offered a special dispensation that allows Catholics to eat corned beef on St. Patrick's Day.  Our Irish and Catholic population is pretty large, so it was a big deal.  I'm not Catholic and I don't really get it, but there you go.
802939
Good question!\nThat's one reason I'm not catholic.\nThey will dance around the question with terms like 'prayer aids'.\nThey'll call it anything except idolatry.
463003
This is EXACTLY how you should feel and I don't blame you a bit. I'm not catholic, but I have been wondering the same things. Why aren't more people in an uproar about this??
507883
If you want to ask for forgiveness direct from GOD through Jesus Christ, then be a Christian not a Catholic because a catholic's sins are forgiven through the pope or father of the Catholic Church. Catholics worship saints and idols like Virgin Mary and so on, whereas Christian worship only God in Jesus Christ. Those are just some of the many differences between Christians and Catholics.Pick your choice wisely.... If I'm wrong, do correct me.May God Bless you.
1131888
To be fully initiated into the Catholic Church, one must be baptized, confirmed, and receive their first communion. Confirmation happens at an age when individuals are old enough to decide for themselves whether they want to be Catholic or not. One can be baptized in the Catholic Church and then go join another church.
198819
I am a Catholic Convert - trust me, the experience of receiving the Holy Eucharist in the Catholic Church is the most wonderful thing you will ever experience.  To try to describe it would fall short.\n\nMind you, this is all in a spiritual context.