Gather 'Round the Altar-Only if You're Catholic?
Elizabeth Staszak
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Opinion
All year long, I've been thinking about St. Norbert College's attempts to be ecumenical and welcome students of different faiths and denominations. Then, just before the Lenten season, I received a letter in my suite box from Father James Baraniak O.Praem. welcoming me into the Lenten celebrations here at St. Norbert. The concept was beautiful and I felt appreciative. However, I had a nagging feeling that something felt wrong about being invited in.
After much contemplation (yeah, I do spend my time on nerdy stuff like that), I realized the issue. I knew I would be welcomed into any mass here at Old St. Joe's. But, I also am aware that non-Catholics cannot commune at the same altar as Catholics, although there are exceptions for certain individuals. How can I be completely welcome if I cannot participate in what is undoubtedly one of the most important sacraments of the Catholic faith? Answer: I am not entirely welcome. Problem: I don't think the priests here at St. Norbert want me to feel unwelcome. Are they concerned or looking for change in this part of their canon?
I sat down for an interview with Father James Neilson, looking for his opinion and found it, an opinion steeped in some interesting history and hope for the future. Neilson mentioned that the Catholic Church does in fact take its cues from grassroots movements, but probably doesn't move fast enough. In other words, if Catholics are concerned about non-Catholics not being able to receive communion at mass, the Church will consider the issue, albeit slowly.
Neilson also pointed out that the Eucharist is a symbol of unity for the Church. This is encouragement for a Christian not a part of the Catholic Church. It is difficult to parse the slightly different theologies and doctrines between denominations. But if "catholic" refers to "universal," then it seems that all Christians should be allowed to commune together. I think it hurts the Body of Christ when we put up barriers that divide us-especially barriers involving the ceremony of remembrance and of Communion with Christ.
After much contemplation (yeah, I do spend my time on nerdy stuff like that), I realized the issue. I knew I would be welcomed into any mass here at Old St. Joe's. But, I also am aware that non-Catholics cannot commune at the same altar as Catholics, although there are exceptions for certain individuals. How can I be completely welcome if I cannot participate in what is undoubtedly one of the most important sacraments of the Catholic faith? Answer: I am not entirely welcome. Problem: I don't think the priests here at St. Norbert want me to feel unwelcome. Are they concerned or looking for change in this part of their canon?
I sat down for an interview with Father James Neilson, looking for his opinion and found it, an opinion steeped in some interesting history and hope for the future. Neilson mentioned that the Catholic Church does in fact take its cues from grassroots movements, but probably doesn't move fast enough. In other words, if Catholics are concerned about non-Catholics not being able to receive communion at mass, the Church will consider the issue, albeit slowly.
Neilson also pointed out that the Eucharist is a symbol of unity for the Church. This is encouragement for a Christian not a part of the Catholic Church. It is difficult to parse the slightly different theologies and doctrines between denominations. But if "catholic" refers to "universal," then it seems that all Christians should be allowed to commune together. I think it hurts the Body of Christ when we put up barriers that divide us-especially barriers involving the ceremony of remembrance and of Communion with Christ.
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