Celiac Disease:  Have you, a family member or friend been diagnosed?
 
Researchers estimate that as many as one in 133 people living in North America may be affected by Celiac Disease, an inherited autoimmune disease.  As you may know, persons with Celiac Disease can never consume gluten which is found in wheat, rye and barley.  The altar bread we use is made from wheat and water and therefore contains gluten.
 
In recent months, we learned that several members of our parish have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease.  Does this mean they can never receive the Body of Christ?  Thankfully, no!  Benedictine Sisters in Missouri have developed a recipe for low gluten altar bread.  The low gluten altar bread is made from wheat starch and water and contains less than 0.01% gluten.  The low gluten altar bread has been approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.  Most of the members of our parish who have Celiac Disease are able to tolerate the low gluten host; some can consume the whole host while others are so sensitive that they are able to consume only half of the host.

Note that you can choose to receive Communion under the species of wine alone. According to Catholic doctrine, the whole of Christ is contained in the Precious Blood alone. As such, the person who receives Communion this way is still receiving the whole sacrament.  But many Catholic celiacs still feel a deep sense of loss and isolation by being denied the ability to receive the Body of Christ in the form of bread. 
 
If you or a family member or friend have Celiac Disease and have been coming to Mass but not receiving Communion, or perhaps stopped coming to Mass because it was not possible to receive Communion, please contact me.  We have low gluten hosts.  If you might want to discuss the low gluten hosts with your physician I can give you information that you can provide to your physician. 
 
You can catch me before or after weekend Masses or you can send me an email.  ellenfd@aol.com.
 
Ellen DeRosa
Sacristan St. John Vianney Parish