What should happens if a homeless guy goes to church only for receiving the Eucharist?

[Facite]

I hope our Lord God will not blame these people for their desperation in ignorance, but rather will begin to heal their soul with the Eucharist, for we pray that we be not condemned by our partaking for the sins we commit in ignorance. It is incredibly sad that these people are so hungry that the simple wafer and sip of wine is what they come for, but the healing power of our Lord works in strange ways and I pray that in these instances they aren’t partaking to their condemnation but to the healing of their souls.

I always offer a dollar if I have one to the people on the corners; they may not “deserve” it because of their vices, and they might be fakes, but that is not my business. Christ asked us to recognize Him in the naked, the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned…and I try to see Him in the man with the sign on the corner. If he spends my offering on alcohol, that is his prerogative. I fully wished him an improved situation with my donation and my prayer. God will take care of the rest.

This is one of the best posts I’ve seen! Very inspiring.

 

[BusterMartin]

I hope our Lord God will not blame these people for their desperation in ignorance, but rather will begin to heal their soul with the Eucharist, for we pray that we be not condemned by our partaking for the sins we commit in ignorance. It is incredibly sad that these people are so hungry that the simple wafer and sip of wine is what they come for, but the healing power of our Lord works in strange ways and I pray that in these instances they aren’t partaking to their condemnation but to the healing of their souls.

I always offer a dollar if I have one to the people on the corners; they may not “deserve” it because of their vices, and they might be fakes, but that is not my business. Christ asked us to recognize Him in the naked, the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned…and I try to see Him in the man with the sign on the corner. If he spends my offering on alcohol, that is his prerogative. I fully wished him an improved situation with my donation and my prayer. God will take care of the rest.

Thank you for this post. I needed that kick in the rear. Whenever I see a homeless person, my first response is always not to just give them money because it will go to drugs, alcohol, etc. The attitude described in your post is what I should strive to have, and I thank you for reminding me of that. God bless you!

 

[robertericleech]

I’ve never heard of *that *happening…in inner city parishes usually people peeing or doing number twos in the confessionals is a bigger problem. There’s a parish down in Atlantic City where a bum was sleeping in a confessional and he mugged the priest who woke him up.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I can not see that this is really an issue.

Would anyone who is so desperate and hungry think that sitting through a Mass for what amounts to less than a Ritz cracker and sip of wine (if the Chalice is even offered) is enough to satisfy their need?

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

I came to this website, looking for hope and lots of posts made me lose it. Then I read your reply Carefree T and I could’ve sang. I wish all Catholics could be like you

Hi, Elizabeth Lucy,:angel1:
Don’t give up on us yet! Most (not all) people here are helpful and hopeful, and I imagine you have lots to add to the conversations. :heaven::grouphug::heaven:
All best wishes,
Kathryn Ann

 

[Allegra]

I can not see that this is really an issue.

Would anyone who is so desperate and hungry think that sitting through a Mass for what amounts to less than a Ritz cracker and sip of wine (if the Chalice is even offered) is enough to satisfy their need?

If they are homeless, they probably don’t have much else to do. I can imagine someone being that desperate. Maybe they are hoping for help from God and from the parishoners?

 

[R_C]

First of all, unless you know for certain the man is not Catholic, you shouldn’t bar him from receiving Communion.

I think - but I may be wrong - that if someone walks to receive Communion, the priest may not deny it to him. But I am not sure as to what the Canon Law says on this matter.

St. Faustina Kowalska recognized the Lord in a homeless man…perhaps we should try and do the same…

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him”

“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?”

 

[Allegra]

:bigyikes:

I’ve never heard of *that *happening…in inner city parishes usually people peeing or doing number twos in the confessionals is a bigger problem. There’s a parish down in Atlantic City where a bum was sleeping in a confessional and he mugged the priest who woke him up.

Do they do this out of meaness or is there no bathroom available?

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

If they are homeless, they probably don’t have much else to do. I can imagine someone being that desperate. Maybe they are hoping for help from God and from the parishoners?

Even if they are desperate I think they are smart enough to know that they will get no nourishment in doing so.

This thread just boggles the mind.

 

[robertericleech]

Do they do this out of meaness or is there no bathroom available?

I don’t think it’s ‘meaness,’ it’s just that they’re really messed up on drugs or drunk. There’s a bathroom outside the church in another building, but they might not know it’s there.

I think they try to keep the church open most days, since it’s a magnificent building. It’s on the national register of historical places. St Nicholas of Tolentine. I wish it was our everyday parish, it’s just a little far.

http://ugc.theknot.com/127257-large.jpg

 

[Allegra]

Even if they are desperate I think they are smart enough to know that they will get no nourishment in doing so.

This thread just boggles the mind.

Have you been in a grocery store before when they’re giving out samples? People line up in droves to get a miniscule piece of sausage in a paper cup and they aren’t starving the way a homeless person could be. Also keep in mind that many homeless people are actually people with mental problems who don’t have anyone to help them or see that they get treatment. They could be wandering into Church to get warm and just follow along with everyone else when they get in line for Communion.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Have you been in a grocery store before when they’re giving out samples? People line up in droves to get a miniscule piece of sausage in a paper cup and they aren’t starving the way a homeless person could be. Also keep in mind that many homeless people are actually people with mental problems who don’t have anyone to help them or see that they get treatment. They could be wandering into Church to get warm and just follow along with everyone else when they get in line for Communion.

The ample thing has nothing to do with this.

I am sorry but I just can not see the premise of this thread happening in the real world.

So rather than waste time discussing unreality I will spend my time on other more profitable things.

 

[Facite]

The ample thing has nothing to do with this.

I am sorry but I just can not see the premise of this thread happening in the real world.

So rather than waste time discussing unreality I will spend my time on other more profitable things.

But remember, there is no such thing as a useless question! All questions have some moral profit to them.

 

[Ad_Infinitum]

Guys,
The thing is what im looking is for a certified answer! Not a solution because so far i have seen only solutions for answers but i think this question has no right answer. Hmm i think you might have to be a priest or a bishop to answer this question.

 

[R_C]

I am sorry but I just can not see the premise of this thread happening in the real world.

So rather than waste time discussing unreality I will spend my time on other more profitable things.

I totally agree with Br. David, there is no problem here, and even if there were one, the priest would be in charge of handling it.

 

[roveau]

I can not see that this is really an issue.

Would anyone who is so desperate and hungry think that sitting through a Mass for what amounts to less than a Ritz cracker and sip of wine (if the Chalice is even offered) is enough to satisfy their need?

My thoughts exactly. It would be easier and quicker to ask a parishioner for a sandwich or pick up more substantial scraps outside a fast food outlet.

Homeless or destitute people usually beg outside churches. This is a common sight, particularly in southern Europe (especially in Rome).

 

[HonoraDominum]

This is somewhat related, but it’s a story that really touched me lately, so I thought I’d share. At my parish a couple of months ago, a man came in who was obviously struggling in his life. His hair was rather long and in disarray, he was missing many of his teeth, and he was wearing an overcoat and shorts to Sunday Mass. I heard some very uncharitable comments about him (and even made one or two), and no one really talked to him.

Then I saw him again. And again. He started coming almost every day. I decided to take a risk and talk to the man. Come to find out, he’s a cradle Catholic and his uncle was a priest. He was an older gentleman, and he said that he loved our Latin Mass because it was like when he was a kid. He told me of making a pilgrimage to Lourdes, and about how he had very bad arthritis and hoped to be able to go again. He had been a History major at a nearby college and was into genealogy, and told of being related to the French Huguenots from way back. He told me that he started bringing pants with him to church, and switching out from his shorts, because it was too hot to walk back and forth from church in his pants. My husband saw him near his work many miles away, so I’m sure he actually has a long walk/bus ride to make it to church. I realized the only reason he wore the overcoat is because it was the “dressiest” jacket he had. And sitting close to him, I found he had obviously taken care of his hygiene as best that he could - he didn’t smell, or have bad breath. He just had some crazy hair.

I felt like a real heel when I realized how quickly I had come to judge this man, and how quickly I had forgotten the “least brethren” teachings of Christ. I’m so grateful that I reached out to him. There’s still very few people who talk to him, and he comes every Sunday. I usually sit by him in Mass now on Sundays in the back row, seeing as how I’m usually sliding in about 30 seconds before Father walks in.

I guess the point I’m trying to make is that it’s probable that if a person is going to Communion, no matter how disheveled they look, they are truly Catholic and looking to find peace with Christ. I know that at a small chapel in downtown Dallas, when homeless people want money or food, they just ask the priest because it is well known that he will give them vouchers for a meal at a restaurant near the church (owned by a Catholic). Same with the Cathedral downtown from what I understand.

 

[horselvr]

I was in Downtown Chicago recently and if you wanted to give a dollar to every panhandler on the streets you would go broke as there are people with their hands out every 30 feet.

My 45 yr old nephew is one of the homeless by choice group (research them if you have never heard of this before) which has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years and he gets food stamps, a cell phone, and makes a tidy sum panhandling. He and his group actually laugh at those that feel sorry for them. They especially get a chuckle out of those that pay rent or a mortgage and stop to give them a dollar or two.

There really are those though that are desperate, homeless by circumstance, mentally ill, women and children that need our help desperately and these are the ones that a lot of times are so ashamed to accept help.

We did have one homeless man at our church that would come to morning Mass. He would sometimes get in line for communion. If he was Catholic or not or should have received ---- I don’t know. That’s not my place to ask.

I leave that up to the Priest.

 

[englishredrose]

same here

I would leave it to the priest.

if someone walked in and apparently just there for communion it is none of our business because we cannot see what is on their mind etc. They may have been joining in with the service as they are walking to the church. We don’t know.

Just be greatful they have bothered to come to church. The rules that you abide by will be gradually shown to them if they continue to come back if they felt the love and peace when there. Softly sofly. Do not worry about someone in your eyes illcitily receiving Communion. You/we don’t know what is on their hearts.

Instead pray on the mystery that indeed they have found their way into church and be able to join in and go away again having had some moments of peace. Those few moments could be a turning point to better things because everyone welcomed them

Something about St Benedict springs to mind here about Christ being everyone. Okay so I know you guys are hot on Church rules. But God sees and understands the bigger picture here as Priests are able to do so too. Love the fact that they felt able to walk in and just take communion and go. Even if they have gone around every church in the area. Please try not to worry but just simply praise the moment. Rules are there for guidence and if someone feels further away from God because of them then the priest will help them find a way nearer to God. We are there to help each other in the Lords Family in the community of Christians. Just pray for that person that they have found God at that moment. Awesome isn’t it

 

[Ad_Infinitum]

Hmm but im only assuming that he would be going only for food…