Eucharist

Overview

The Sacrament of the Eucharist, also called the Mass, is “the source and summit of the Christian Life.” All of the other sacraments point to it. When the priest prays the words of consecration over the bread and wine at Mass, we believe, in accordance with the teaching of Jesus, that they become his Body and Blood. We receive this most precious of gifts in Holy Communion, which intimately unites us with Jesus and helps us become more like him through the grace he gives us by his very presence in our human bodies. Because the Son of God is truly present in the Eucharist, Catholics also adore the Blessed Sacrament during Exposition, and we reverence the tabernacle where the Eucharist is placed after Mass.

Catholics who are ready to receive Jesus in the Eucharist are invited to receive Holy Communion during Mass. Our hearts are ready to receive him when we have been baptized in the Catholic Church (or baptized in another church and later received into the Catholic Church) and are not in a state of serious sin. If you are not yet ready to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, you are welcome to line up during Communion and receive a blessing (indicated by placing your hands across your chest).

If you would like to learn more about preparing to receive the Eucharist yourself or for your child, please contact the parish office and we would be happy to assist you.

First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, for children generally in the second grade, the preparation occurs on three levels: family, school and parish.

The schools play an invaluable role in helping the parish prepare for these celebrations. However, they are celebrations of the parish community, not the school, and as such, all inquiries about sacraments are done through the parish. Parents must request sacraments for their children – they do not automatically happen because the child is in the Catholic school system.

A registration and information meeting is held in the parish to provide parents with detailed information on the sacraments. There are also a series of sessions held with the parents and children. These are designed to assist parents to help their children prepare for the celebration of Reconciliation and Eucharist.

Parents are requested to provide proof of baptism for their children and, in some cases, pastoral intervention is required when there are obstacles to full communion with the Catholic Church. Parents are asked to work with their children to help them prepare for these sacraments.

It is very important that all parents who wish these children to receive the sacraments make the effort to attend Sunday mass with their children as part of the preparation process and beyond. As a community, we are most happy to assist families in their preparation for these sacraments and offer an opportunity each year for every child to bring forward the gifts at Mass. Details are shared at the parent meeting.