Mass Times

For those who have gluten intolerance, commonly referred to as celiac disease, and for whom taking the host is a health concern, our parish does provide virtually non-gluten hosts.  Church law requires that the host be made of only two materials:  wheat flour and water.  In recent years, several religious orders have experimented and discovered a way to conform with Church law and still make a host that is available to those with a gluten intolerance.  These hosts are purchased in quantity by the parish and are shipped individually sealed in cellophane for the protection of those with this allergy.
Please speak to a priest or the deacon before the Mass that you are attending.  They will place a low-gluten host in a pyx.  This is a gold container that keeps the host inside, and therefore free from contact with regular wheat hosts.  The deacon or priest will place the host on the altar before Mass so that it is consecrated during the Eucharistic Prayer.  
In the communion procession, please go to the line with the priest who will hand you the pyx as he says 'The Body of Christ.'  Your answer is still 'Amen.'  Open the pyx and consume the Body of Christ. You may return the pyx to him then or take it to your seat and return it to the priest or deacon as you leave Mass.  These pyxes are washed and cleaned and kept separate to protect them to be free from the gluten of other hosts.  After you have received the host, you are welcome to take the Precious Blood from the chalice as well.