Catholic school etiquette

[LanaL]

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?

Just cross your arms and have a blessing. You can't take HC.

At my school, all the none Catholic staff, myself included, just go up for a blessing. You signify it by having a hand across your body, resting on your shoulder if that makes sense, instead of holding out your hand for communion.

It's about a 50/50 split at ours so it's quite easy to find someone to copy if you're not sure of the etiquette. I used to be quite nervous of getting something wrong but am more relaxed now I've been there a while. People are really understanding I find as long as you're being respectful and trying to do the right thing, which you are.

I'm an ex-Catholic. I think it'd be more disrespectful to go up and take it than not!

Yes.
On a couple of occasions I have seen priests really upset because they have accidentally given HC to someone who wasn't Catholic but came up to receive.
It's a big no no.

What exactly do they mean by ‘upholding the values’ of the school? As someone who grew up in a devoutly Catholic household in a devoutly Catholic society, my mediate response to this would be somewhere between an eye roll and outrage.

No, don’t take Communion, which isn’t permitted, anyway, and in your shoes, I wouldn’t go up for a blessing either. I would charitably assume that upholding school values means justice, equality, forbearance and refraining from ripping up photos of the Pope at assembly.

Surely the kids understand that there are different religions? You aren't the relevant religion so you don't do it.

You are being completely respectful.

You actually shouldn't take Communion if you're not a Catholic (or Orthodox Christian).

I'm surprised the school didn't give you guidelines, given that the teachers and students attend Mass.

No I don’t , I dont really know much I’m still learning so I didn't know I could but I will now , I feel like I’ll be being respectful and the children will see that too x

Thank you everyone this has been really insightful and helpful , I’m glad I came here to ask . I feel much better now and I’m so glad I didn’t ask the head if I should or not as they may expect me to know that I can’t ! I have only been here a few weeks so I’m still getting to grips with everything x

I teach in a Catholic school and I am not Catholic, nor am I religious. I have the necessary qualification to teach in an RC school (CCRS) and I am able to teach the RE curriculum well. When I talk to the children I speak as if I am Catholic in terms of delivering lessons (when we; us etc). I don’t take communion in mass. Some of our staff do and some don’t. I’m respectful in terms of what’s expected of me

No, I’m not Catholic but my DH is and my DC attend a Catholic school.

I would never take communion and would see it as more disrespectful to take it when you are not Catholic. You can go up with everyone and get a blessing (I don’t on the rare occasion that I go but lots of people there who aren’t Catholic do this).

Does your school have a Faith/RE Lead teacher, OP? Ours is very approachable and would gladly help non-Catholic staff with situations like this.
When we have a whole school Mass there is a general blessing because Yrs R/1/2/3 and Yr 4 until the Summer term haven’t had their FHC, so anyone who doesn’t want to receive the Host takes that as their blessing too.
Smaller Mass for older years, non Catholic staff tend to go up for the blessing. I think it shows respect for the faith, which is part of upholding the Catholic ethos of the school, but no one thinks badly of staff who stay seated - it’s their choice.

Talk to your line manager.