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Original poster

Catholic school etiquette

37 replies

LanaL · 22/06/2024 12:01

I am working in a Catholic school . We take the children to Mass regularly. I have not been baptised , I’m not a Catholic. I have my beliefs, I do believe in God , I do pray . But I don’t attend church etc .

All the teachers , aside from one it seems, take Holy communion . I don’t because I thought it would be disrespectful to as I don’t really understand it ( I’m new , I am learning ) I do always uphold the values of the school and I am very respectful- but the children have begun to notice that I don’t and I don’t know how to explain it.

Am I being disrespectful by not doing it?

OP posts:
AttentionToDetal · 22/06/2024 12:14

LanaL · 22/06/2024 12:09

actually ive seen some of the teachers do this and not have the drink and the wafer- that must be what they’re doing ! I really need to ask other teachers x

Show quote history

In my child's catholic school many teachers (and pupils) are not catholic. So chances are if they are going up they are just getting a blessing.

(My dad also does this when he goes with my mum weekly to mass). It's very common and the church will be used to it!

KimberleyClark · 22/06/2024 12:11

Do you go up for a blessing? You can still do that even if you are not a Catholic. Just approach the priest with your arms crossed across your chest and he will bless you.

Original poster
LanaL · 22/06/2024 12:10

Lostboys16 · 22/06/2024 12:06

As a non-Catholic, you shouldn't take communion as you haven't received the sacrements.Tell the kids you're not baptised, surely that's ok to do? Or do the school want you to pretend you're catholic?

All they said when I started was that I don’t have to be Catholic to work there I just need to uphold the values x

OP posts:
Mothership4two · 22/06/2024 12:10

I'm convent school educated but not Catholic and never went up. Only those who had been confirmed did I seem to remember. It wasn't considered a big deal then.

Children are naturally curious and will ask.

Edited because typing skills have gone out the window today

Original poster
LanaL · 22/06/2024 12:09

AttentionToDetal · 22/06/2024 12:07

To take holy communion you would usually be baptised, have completed classes on it (my child has just done it) as its one of the sacrements for Catholics.

So I'd say absolutely not disrespectful NOT to take part. Many adults in church don't go up, or if you do it's acceptable to cross your arms across your body and you'd get a blessing instead.

actually ive seen some of the teachers do this and not have the drink and the wafer- that must be what they’re doing ! I really need to ask other teachers x

OP posts:
RafaistheKingofClay · 22/06/2024 12:08

As a non Catholic you can’t take HC so you are doing the right thing. As a previous poster has said you could go up for a blessing if you wished.

Might be worth checking with your SLT how they would prefer you to deal with answering the questions, but explaining that you are not catholic should be fine.

AttentionToDetal · 22/06/2024 12:07

To take holy communion you would usually be baptised, have completed classes on it (my child has just done it) as its one of the sacrements for Catholics.

So I'd say absolutely not disrespectful NOT to take part. Many adults in church don't go up, or if you do it's acceptable to cross your arms across your body and you'd get a blessing instead.

BookArt · 22/06/2024 12:06

You would be disrespectful for taking it, so you are doing the right thing. Tell children you didn't take your Holy Communion (taken about age 8/9 usually) so can't have it.

Lostboys16 · 22/06/2024 12:06

As a non-Catholic, you shouldn't take communion as you haven't received the sacrements.Tell the kids you're not baptised, surely that's ok to do? Or do the school want you to pretend you're catholic?

Justcallmebebes · 22/06/2024 12:06

I'm C of E and if you haven't been confirmed, you can't take holy communion. Pretty certain it's the same in the Catholic Church.

You can however, approach the altar and receive a blessing when others are receiving the sacrament

PuttingDownRoots · 22/06/2024 12:04

"I am not a baptised Catholic. HC is for people who are baptised"

Usernamewassavedsuccessfully · 22/06/2024 12:04

Not at all. Just tell the children if they ask that you don't because you aren't Catholic/never had a Holy Communion so can't.