I’m Not Catholic
Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are not permitted to receive Holy Communion. When Catholic receive the Eucharist or communion during mass, they are saying yes to the Catholic belief that it is not bread and wine they are receiving but Jesus’ actual body and blood. Receiving communion when one does not yet profess the faith of the Catholic Church does not enable one to say yes honesty to what is being offered to them. Everyone, however, is welcome to come forward for a blessing. Simply come forward with everyone else in the communion line and cross your arms over your chest to indicate you will not be receiving communion and would like a blessing. Those not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with Jesus and with one another.