Patrick received a great question from Joanne in sunny Hawthorne, California. She's headed to a United Methodist funeral and is wondering: "Can I, as a Catholic, go up and receive their communion? It’s just bread, right?"

Protestant Communion = Not the Real Presence

As Catholics, we believe Jesus is truly present: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist at Mass. 

Protestant communion (like in the United Methodist Church) doesn’t believe that. For them, it’s symbolic: just bread and maybe juice.

So, going up to receive their "communion" is kind of like saying, “Yeah, this is the same thing as the Eucharist,” which… it’s not.

Why It Matters: 

Patrick makes this super clear: Receiving Protestant communion as a Catholic is like taking a spiritual step backwards.

Imagine being invited to a royal feast… and instead choosing a snack pack. It confuses people, and maybe even yourself, about what you believe.

So What Can You Do?

You can attend the funeral service. Go, support your friends, be present.

But when communion time rolls around, just stay in your pew or politely decline. 

Patrick even likens it to a Christian returning to Old Testament rituals that have already been fulfilled in Christ. It's a step in the wrong direction spiritually. 

Let's thank God for the Real Presence at Mass.