Tabernacle in the Classroom

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I just went to the Back to School Night at our Catholic School and one of the teachers has a Tabernacle in her supply closet. She opened the door to the closet, pointed to the Tabernacle and told the kids that Jesus is here. Is it ok for a teacher to keep a Tabernacle in her classroom? Is it ok for a teacher to lead children to believe that the host is in the Tabernacle in her classroom?
 
no, no and no
this is one to report to the principal or pastor asap.
 
kfryan said:
I just went to the Back to School Night at our Catholic School and one of the teachers has a Tabernacle in her supply closet. She opened the door to the closet, pointed to the Tabernacle and told the kids that Jesus is here. Is it ok for a teacher to keep a Tabernacle in her classroom? Is it ok for a teacher to lead children to believe that the host is in the Tabernacle in her classroom?
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The Blessed Sacrament can only be reserved in one tabernacle at a parish church.
 
Dear Br. Rich SFO,

I do not believe that the Blessed Sacrament is in the Tabernacle that is in the classroom; however, I know from a conversation with my kids that the teacher’s comments led them to believe that the Blessed Sacrament might be in “her” Tabernacle. I feel uneasy about the message that is being sent to the children by first, the placement of the Tabernacle (even if empty) and second her suggestion that Jesus True Presence may be in it.

Any advice on how I should address this?

Respectfully In Christ

a concerned mom
 
I know what you mean. It is hard for us even as adults to correct someone. We feel guilty either way. But if you don’t say something it is like you agree.

I had to step up in a CCD class of my sons. I teach CCD but on that day I was sitting in on my sons class as a “mom”.

The children had just completed the Sacrament of Holy Communion the Sunday before and the teacher was talking about it with the kids.

She started saying how “the bread and wine were a symbol of the body and blood of Jesus.”

I thought I had heard her wrong, but the look from my 17 year old daughter, who was with me, showed I had heard right.

I said " No not a symbol. The bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus."

She just stared at me. Then continued talking to the kids.

When we left the class my daughter said “See I told you homeschooling us would have been better.”

I still teach CCD. And my children. My daughter is entering RCIA with me to see if we can grow more in our faith.
 
kfryan said:
Dear Br. Rich SFO,

I do not believe that the Blessed Sacrament is in the Tabernacle that is in the classroom; however, I know from a conversation with my kids that the teacher’s comments led them to believe that the Blessed Sacrament might be in “her” Tabernacle. I feel uneasy about the message that is being sent to the children by first, the placement of the Tabernacle (even if empty) and second her suggestion that Jesus True Presence may be in it.

Any advice on how I should address this?

Respectfully In Christ

a concerned mom
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Speak with the pastor. Does he even know that the “extra” tabernacle is in her closet? IF it is the door should always be open and the curtain drawn back to show that it is empty. The children should learn this. When the tabernacle is empty the door is open and the lamp is not lit.
 
A tabernacle in the classroom sounds wrong.

The Code of Canon Law has a chapter “The Reservation and Veneration of the Blessed Sacrament” which is from canons 934-944. It can be read at vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM .

Generally the rule is as given in canon 938 §1: “The blessed Eucharist is to be reserved habitually in only one tabernacle of a church or oratory.”

But there is this exception to the tabernacle in 938 §4: “For a grave reason, especially at night, it is permitted to reserve the blessed Eucharist in some other safer place, provided it is fitting.” (The Code of Canon Law: New revised English Translation, HarperCollins Liturgical, 1997, ISBN 000599375X.)

Perhaps letters of enquiry should be written to the teacher, parish priest, and/or bishop.
 
fellowChristian said:
She started saying how “the bread and wine were a symbol of the body and blood of Jesus.”

I thought I had heard her wrong, but the look from my 17 year old daughter, who was with me, showed I had heard right.

I said " No not a symbol. The bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus."

She just stared at me. Then continued talking to the kids.
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Did you bring this to the attention of your priest?
sigh I could start ranting, but I will refrain 😃
 
Well, since no one else has apparently thought of this, and I could be wrong, but I really don’t think so.

Two posters? in this discussion come in completely from left field. A teacher, has her own private tabernacle in a supply closet in her classroom that apparently contains the Holy Eucharist:hmmm:

The second poster is a CCD teacher who is not a Catholic:hmmm: and who together with her precocious daughter" ( See I told you home schooling us would be better), are joining RCIA to grow in the faith.:confused: :confused:

Now I don’t know how things are in the rest of the world, but I have never seen a tabernacle maintained in a supply closet in a classroom, or any such place for that matter. You will however occasionally see articles on various sedevacantist and ultra traditional? web sites that allude to Tabernacles being relegated to closets, under stairways, behind toilets etc.

As far as the CCD teacher who stepped up to the plate to teach a class in a faith that she is not yet even a member of, apparently, I can only speculate. Maybe the poster is Catholic but if she is neglected to let us know that somewhat important bit of info.

However, I have seen posts in the past on this forum that I have pointed out seem to be there only to titillate, anger and otherwise disrupt things, and I honestly believe these two posts, especially the tabernacle post may definitely fall into this category.

It is also interesting to note that the tabernacle post, in all its titillating glory, is the first post by this poster as are most other posts designed for conflict.

I could be wrong, but I really I don’t think so. But as I have done before on certain other unlikely events, , if you tell me the name of the school and location and I will go there at my own expense and verify the situation and bring forth a report

Tabernacle in a classroom supply closet, gimme a break.:tsktsk:
 
There truly is a tabernacle in the classroom and I am truly looking for some guidance on this because I didn’t want to to confront the teacher on false grounds. I wanted to make sure that my feelings were not unfounded.

Based on the responses I have found and research I have been able to do this weekend on Canon Law, I will speak with the principal at the school. Thank you to everyone who has helped me on this and my prayers and thank you go out to all of you.

In Christ

a concerned mother who is trying to do the right thing
 
kfryan said:
There truly is a tabernacle in the classroom and I am truly looking for some guidance on this because I didn’t want to to confront the teacher on false grounds. I wanted to make sure that my feelings were not unfounded.
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you don’t need to confront the teacher, you don’t need to research canon law, you merely need to speak to the DRE or pastor right away and get this cleared up.
 
In our Catholic School the second floor was the convent and the Sisters had a Chapel up there with an altar and tabernacle. When there were no more Nuns the upstairs was remodeled and the tabernacle removed. I think with the second remodeling and addition the chapel ceased to be. A tabernacle in a class room closet? Where would she get any hosts to keep in it? Maybe a ploy to help control the kids.:confused: :confused:

In our parish some cradle Catholics join the RCIA Classes to better learn things they missed in CCD or Religous Ed Classes as young people so just joining the class would not determine that the OP was not yet a Catholic…
 
Vittorio23 said:
From what I gathered she is Catholic, but going to RCIA to learn more about her faith. Many at my parish do the same thing.
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It’s also possible that she is a Catholic who converted but her daughter did not become Catholic yet. Maybe the daughter is studying in RCIA right now to become a Catholic.
 
kfryan said:
I just went to the Back to School Night at our Catholic School and one of the teachers has a Tabernacle in her supply closet.
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Well, most of the parishes around here keep their tabernacles in what appear to be “closets.” 🤷
 
I repeat my offer. tell me the location of the school and I’ll check it out. PM me if you want. Lets get real about this nonsense.
 
I am not about to tell a stranger on the internet where I live, thank you very much. My husband and I are more than capable of handling this situation. I suggest that you use a little more courtesty to people who are using this website. This is my first time using this site and it may be the last. A person shouldn’t be hounded or critized for asking a question on a Catholic Answers website. My prayers are with you.
 
kfryan said:
I am not about to tell a stranger on the internet where I live, thank you very much. My husband and I are more than capable of handling this situation. I suggest that you use a little more courtesty to people who are using this website. This is my first time using this site and it may be the last. A person shouldn’t be hounded or critized for asking a question on a Catholic Answers website. My prayers are with you.
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Ms. kfryan. I read thru this thread and no where did it come across as you being hounded or criticized.
 
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