If I’m Catholic and in attendance at a non-Catholic service, may I receive Communion?

No. One of the greatest stumbling blocks to Christian unity is the varying beliefs about holy Communion and the Eucharist. Only a validly ordained bishop or priest is able to preside at Mass and to confect the Eucharist, and consequently to bring about the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. 

When non-Catholics celebrate communion, they often say similar words that we hear at Mass. However, because a bishop or priest is not saying the words, the Real Presence of Jesus Christ does not result at their celebrations.

Non-Catholics have different beliefs about the Eucharist. Many of them do not believe in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. In addition, the celebration and the reception of holy Communion are supposed to be a manifestation of a common belief and unity in the faith. 

There are still many differences between Catholics and other Christians. Until the day comes when we share all beliefs and a common faith, receiving communion at a non-Catholic service would create a false sense of unity in belief, faith and practice.

If I’m a non-Catholic, can I receive the Eucharist during Mass?

No. Reception of holy Communion is a sign of unity – Catholics are united in belief, faith, worship and governance. We profess a common faith, celebrate seven sacraments, and recognize the structure of the church with the pope and his fellow bishops as our leaders and shepherds. 

If you are not Catholic, your faith differs in some ways from the Catholic faith. You do not worship in the same way and do not recognize the authority of the pope and bishops. If you received holy Communion it would violate the unity that the Eucharist creates.

Can politics be discussed in a homily?

Yes. Canon law instructs us that “among the forms of preaching,” the homily is “preeminent; in the homily the mysteries of faith and the norms of Christian life are to be explained from the sacred text during the course of the liturgical year” (Canon 767.1). 

Canon 768.2 instructs bishops, priests, and deacons “to impart to the faithful the doctrine which the magisterium of the church sets forth concerning the dignity and freedom of the human person, the unity and stability of the family and its duties, the obligations which people have from being joined together in society, and the ordering of temporal affairs according to the plan established by God.” 

All of us are called to live our faith in the public square. We have a place in our society and government and we must strive to bring about “the ordering of temporal affairs according to the plan established by God.” The homilist will inspire and instruct, on occasion, the faithful on ways to make a difference in the political arena.  This really is not controversial. When the church encourages us to exercise our right to vote, the church recognizes that we are also citizens of the state and that we are called to take an active role in the activities of the state.

Can Midnight Mass be at a different time?

Christmas is a unique feast in that it has four different Mass formularies to celebrate different aspects of the feast. 

The Vigil Mass may be celebrated on Christmas Eve; Christmas Mass at midnight is to be celebrated at midnight; Mass at dawn should be celebrated at or around the time of the sunrise; and the Mass during the day can be celebrated any time after dawn. 

However, with the bishop’s permission, a parish may have a celebration of midnight Mass prior to midnight for pastoral reasons. This permission is not given solely for convenience or because of a personal preference for an earlier hour. We ought to respect what the church attempts to communicate to us by celebrating the various Masses at their proper times.

The church celebrates the victory of Christ the light over the darkness of sin and death at Christmas time, the darkest time of the year. Every day gets a little “longer” after the winter solstice. We proclaim the light of Christ at midnight, when it is dark. It is appropriate that the proclamation of Christ’s birth takes place at this hour. 

I want to get married; where do I start?

The first thing to do is to call your pastor or parish priest. This should be done even before you find a place for your reception. The priest will meet with you and your fiancé (fiancée) and determine if the both of you are free to marry in the Catholic Church. This will be accomplished by asking some questions. You should also know where you were baptized and you should obtain a recent copy of your baptismal certificate if the parish of baptism is different from the church in which you desire to celebrate your marriage.

 

I’m divorced; can I still receive the sacraments?

Divorce in and of itself does not prohibit a person from receiving the sacraments. However, the divorced person must realize that, according to church law, he or she is still married, even though the civil bond of marriage may have ended. Consequently, the divorced person should not engage in 'serious dating' or courtship that might lead to another marriage.

The divorced person is advised to speak with his or her pastor about the possibility of receiving a declaration of nullity that would free the person from the bond of marriage. When a divorced person marries another person, prior to having a declaration of nullity from the Catholic Church, he or she cannot receive the sacraments. Also, entering into a sexual relationship with another person would preclude the divorced person from receiving the sacraments.

Does a parish pay taxes?

Your parish probably pays property taxes on its parking lot and any other real estate that is not directly used for church purposes. The parish also pays real estate taxes on the part of the rectory that is used for the priest’s residence. Parishes pay local, county, and school taxes. Parishes also pay unemployment taxes and social security (FICA) taxes for its employees.

Many parishes have tax exempt numbers that allow them to forego paying state and local sales taxes.  However, we know that many taxes are “hidden.”  For example, take a look at a utility bill.  Part of the payment almost always includes certain taxes.  Your parish pays those taxes when it pays its bills.

Do priests pay taxes?

Yes!  The priests in the Diocese of Greensburg pay taxes.  Every year they complete their IRS forms and other income tax forms, just as other good citizens do. In addition to this, the priests of the diocese are considered to be self-employed for tax purposes.  As a result of this classification, the priests pay the full amount of their social security taxes (FICA), unlike most other persons, who pay only one-half of that tax (employers pay the other half). Priests also pay sales taxes and other taxes to which other citizens are subject.

Why are priests transferred? 

Diocesan priests, before they were ordained, made a promise of obedience to the bishop and his successors. Priests are called to use their gifts in assignments in which the bishop believes that they will be put to the best use. Transfers are difficult for both priests and parishioners; however, the priest is being called to use his talents and skills where they are needed.

The bishop is responsible for the pastoral care of the entire diocese, not just 'your' parish. Accordingly, the bishop at times must transfer priests in order to ensure that the needs of a particular parish, office, or other assignment are being met. Please pray for the bishop and the priests of the diocese when transfers occur.

How do I find a chaplain?

Strictly speaking, a chaplain is a priest to whom the pastoral care of a certain group of the faithful has been entrusted. Thus, a chaplain can celebrate Mass, hear your confession, and anoint you when you have a serious illness. If you are looking for a chaplain, when you are in the hospital, the staff will be able to help you.

Sometimes the term 'chaplain' is used to designate someone who, although not a priest, cares for a certain group, e.g., patients at a hospital. This is not a good use of the word or title, because this person cannot provide the full pastoral care that a priest does. We are in need of a better term for this person, whose work is so important in the church.

Does the diocese have funeral liturgy guidelines?

The norms established by the Order of Christian Funerals are to be adhered to in all funeral liturgies celebrated within the Diocese of Greensburg. These guidelines are intended to elaborate upon certain matters pertaining to the funeral liturgy.

    Read more Funeral Liturgy Guidelines.

Can a funeral liturgy take place at any time?

Two forms of the funeral liturgy are provided in the Order of Christian Funerals: the Funeral Mass and the funeral liturgy outside Mass.

There are days when the Funeral Mass may not be celebrated:

What are the guidelines/principals concerning cremation?

The long-standing practice of burying the body of the deceased in a grave or tomb continues to be encouraged as a sign of Christian faith. However, the church does not forbid cremation as a means of disposition of the body, unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to church teaching.

    Read more Principles Regarding Cremation.

Where can I find information about local tax codes?