As children, my siblings and I were taught to eat everything off our plate, regardless of whether we liked what was on it or not. We had no choice, but to eat everything. This was a common approach to food that many parents of that generation took. In retrospect, I can see that through this approach to food, I learned to eat and appreciate all types of foods (except Brussels sprouts). 

My nieces and nephews though were raised differently by their parents (my sisters). None of them were forced to eat something they did not like. In turn, my mother learned to adapt her approach to food when feeding her grandchildren. She learned to offer alternatives to the foods her grandchildren would not eat, ultimately because she would never want anyone to go hungry at her table.

Thankfully, none of my siblings and I or my nieces and nephews have a food allergy that would have for obvious reasons necessitate a different approach to food. I know though, that for many people, children and adults alike, food allergies are a constant concern that requires vigilance.

Every Sunday, we gather as a community of faith to not only pray, worship, and sing, but to partake of a meal, the Eucharistic feast. This food is what nourishes and strengthens us as disciples of Jesus. The Catholic Church recognizes that for individuals with celiac disease, the reception of the consecrated host, which is bread that has become the Body of Christ, can be problematic, and even life-threatening. No one should ever go hungry at the Table of the Lord though, so the Church allows for low-gluten hosts to be used in this situation. Here at Saint Andrew Church, we make available to those with a gluten intolerance, low-gluten hosts approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and made by the Cavanaugh company. These hosts are made in a dedicated bakery, with dedicated equipment, not used for the production of regular altar bread. The gluten content of each host is less than 20 ppm. And each host is individually wrapped in plastic.

Any parishioner who has a gluten intolerance, and would like a low-gluten host, is asked to let the sacristan know before the start of Mass, so a low-gluten host can be set out for consecration. When we are made aware of this particular need ahead of time, a low gluten host is taken out of it’s plastic wrapper, and placed in a dedicated container that keeps it separate from the regular hosts, before and after consecration. The priest who says the Mass will always have the consecrated low-gluten host. Once at the front of the Communion line, the individual with the gluten intolerance tells the priest, “I need a low-gluten host.” The priest will then take the consecrated low-gluten host from the dedicated container and give Communion in the typical fashion.

We have been offering this option for some years now, but since we frequently have new people joining our community every year, it is worthwhile to repeatedly share this information for their benefit. This process works best if we are made aware of the need before the start of Mass. And, it is really meant only for individuals who’s gluten intolerance presents a medical issue. While it may seem that the best approach would be to only use low-gluten hosts for everyone, this would not be economically feasible, given the considerable cost increase. Nor, are we allowed to use gluten-free hosts, as the Church considers gluten, even in a minuscule amount, essential for the host to be considered bread.

If you think you would benefit from this option, but you have some questions, please do not hesitate to let either myself, or anyone on the parish staff know. Our goal is to always to welcome everyone, and to serve their spiritual needs. More than anything, if my mother taught me one thing, it is this; no one should ever go hungry at the table. Not at home. Not even in church.

Super School Sunday, January 26, 2025

• 8am: Prospective Family Tours

Reservations are recommended but not required. Contact Anne Japsen (annejapsen@gosaintandrew.com) for more information.

• 9am: Family Mass in Saint Andrew Church 

• 10am: Annual Pancake Breakfast in our School Gym

Tickets can be purchased online:https://standrewchicago.flocknote.com/signup/193336 Presales: $12 per adult, $10 per child (2 years and under FREE). Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the event.Cash or QR Code only - $14 adults and $10 children

• 11am: Current Family Tours

Take a walk through your child's current classroom. Stop by next year's classroom to get a glimpse of the future.

Baby Bulldogs Winter Session

Registration is Now Open! Baby Bulldogs is a weekly meeting for infants, toddlers and their caregivers. Come join the fun! Baby Bulldogs meets in the Saint Andrew gym on Thursdays from 9-9:45am.  Sessions are January 30 through April 24 (no class on March 20).

Register here​​​​​​​

If you have any questions, please contact Anne Japsen at annejapsen@gosaintandrew.com

We look forward to seeing you there!

Come Join Us!

Do you have a friend or neighbor that is considering applying to the best school in Chicago? Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour New student applications for the 25-26 can be found here: New Student Application