December 5th & 6th

 Saturday 5:00 p.m.- Fr. Carlos
Sunday 7:30 a.m.- Fr. Wanjiru
               9:30 a.m.- Fr. Wanjiru
              11:15 a.m.- Fr. Wanjiru
                 1:15 p.m.- Fr. Carlos
                5:30 p.m.- Fr. Wanjiru

Holy Communion for Catholics Who Have Celiac Disease
Celiac disease, or celiac sprue, is an inherited autoimmune disease that affects over 3 million people in the United States, or 1 in every 133 people.  Celiac disease is a genetic disease and often several members of the same family will have the disease.  It is caused by an immune system malfunction that causes the body to attack the lining of the small intestine, when certain proteins commonly found in the cereal grains wheat, rye, and barley are ingested. There is no cure for this disease, and the only treatment is a completely gluten free diet.  This means removing all food which contains gluten from the diet, including the typical wheat hosts used for Holy Communion.
The Code of Canon Law (924 §2) states: "The bread must be made of wheat alone (mere triticeus) and recently made so that there is no danger of corruption." What does this mean in a typical Catholic Parish?  With the high incidence of celiac disease or other gluten intolerance, there will likely be someone in every parish who cannot take Holy Communion with typical wheat hosts.  Receiving Holy Communion is an important action by all baptized Catholics.  It is the source and summit of our faith. Not participating may make a baptized member feel marginalized, and not fully a part of the parish community. If the parishioner chooses to receive the consecrated wine at a regular communion station, contamination risk remains, but it has the benefit of allowing the Catholic with celiac disease to receive Holy Communion with the rest of the community without feeling isolated or singled out for special treatment. Here at Sts. Peter and Paul we have a special Communion Station for all Catholic dealing with Celiac Disease.  The special station is located immediately in front of the St. Joseph Statue in the sanctuary.  This special cup contains the Precious Blood and is not tainted since no one except those who are known celiacs should be receiving from this cup.  The cup will be accompanied by a regular Extra Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion who has not consumed from it.  I ask all parishioners to please be mindful of this practice and not partake of that special cup unless you are a known Celiac.