GF Communion wafers

[nancyl]

I know this was brought up before but thought I would mention it again to see what is going on with the Communion wafers.

The Catholic parish I go to is filled at most masses and everyone there receives Communion. I don't get it. I mentioned being GF to the pastor. He said just drink the wine. Well, I'd prefer not to do that because everyone drinks from the same chalise. I usually sit in the front row so that I am the first one. If there is 1 in every 133 people gluten intolerant or have celiac where are they? They are not at church or can that wafer be so small that it wouldn't hurt me?

I called the Bishop of the Diocese today and spoke to his secretary. They have never received a call regarding this.

What is everyone doing about this?

Nancy

[tex]

Remember, only 1 celiac in 10 actually has a diagnosis. For non-celiac gluten-sensitivity, probably less than 1 in a 100, (or fewer - like maybe 1 in a 1,000), actually have a diagnosis.

Tex

[Deb]

Nancy, a celiac friend of mine got our church to offer gluten free wafers but when I am at other churches I just drink the wine.
I read that the Catholic church has been slow to offer them as they believe the wafer must be wheat.
I'm really surprised they've never had requests.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramental_bread

[Martha]

Nancy,

I'm a Baptist, and my pastor enthusiastically agreed to me bringing my own gluten-free communion wafers.

But for Catholics, it's a whole different issue. The Vatican has stated that the bread must be wheat, otherwise it cannot be the Body of Christ. There is a group of nuns in Missouri who have developed a very low-gluten wafer that is acceptable in most Catholic churches. You might suggest to your parish that they make those available for gluten-sensitive parishioners, or even offer to supply them yourself.

Here is the website: http://www.altarbreadsbspa.com/lowgluten.php

Love,
Martha

[Gayle]

Hi Nancy,

There do seem to be some regional differences if peoples experiences with gluten free hosts being offered in R. C. Churches (who would-a thunk?)

Here in Minnesota, in the parish we belong to, there is option given of recieving a "gluten free" host. I have a friend with celiac disease. She serves as a Eucharistic Minister in the parish. When she functions in that capacity, she only handles the wine chalice, never the hosts due to her celiac disease.

And since we are often in Arizona, we also belong to a church there. Same story, GF hosts available, must prior arrange. And for a long time -- the information regarding GF hosts being available was posted in the weekly bulletin.

So YES, GF hosts are available. If/where, kind of seems to depend upon geographic location, and then maybe/probably a Parish Pastor too????

Gayle

[Kimberly M]

Hi Nancy!

Martha mentioned about the sisters in Missouri who make the gluten free hosts (they actually have a teenie tiny bit of gluten). I order my hosts from them and take my host in a pix to Mass with me. Our parish allows me to put the pix on the tray with the chalice before Mass begins then it is brought up and consecrated with the rest of the host's during Mass. I always have to go to the priests line as he is the one who has the extra pix. Our parish has several of us and has made it very easy for us.

Kim

[Joseph7179]

There is an approved GF altar bread froma monetary in Missiouri. We use it here at St. Brigid of Kildare inDublin,Ohio. I have about 30 people who use it each Sunday and during the week. JMH

[nancyl]

Thank you all for responding. I do have a call into the diocese and will see what happens. I am kind of hoping this sparks something so they at least start considering GF wafers. Only time will tell.

I know they do have GF wafers available. I was visiting my aunt twice in the local hospital, while there a Eucharist Minister offered me Communion. I declined and told each the reason why. The next time one told me they had a meeting and were going to only offer GF wafers at that hospital.

Let's hope for some change.

Nancy