Sacred Heart Parish
Communion Guidelines
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 having committed grave sin, have fasted for an hour, and seek to live in charity and love with their neighbors. Persons conscious of having committed grave sin must first be reconciled with God and the Church through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. a frequent reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is encouraged for all.
For other Christians
We welcome to our 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 of faith, life and worship to the community. Reception of the Eucharist by Christians not fully united with us would imply a oneness which does not 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 and with one another.
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.