Jesus said: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; . . . he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and . . . abides in me, and I in him” (Jn 6:51, 54, 56).
Having passed from this world to the Father, Christ gives us in the Eucharist the pledge of glory with him. Participation in the Holy Sacrifice identifies us with his Heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of this life, makes us long for eternal life, and unites us even now to the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1419.
The Eucharist is “the heart and the summit of Christian life”. The sacrament of Eucharist completes the initiation process by welcoming the baptized to the Table of the Lord. In this sacrament we remember the action of Jesus at the Last Supper when he blessed and broke the bread and shared it with his disciples. The Eucharist is an act of thanksgiving which is celebrated in communion with one another, most often at the Sunday Mass.
First Eucharist Preparations:
The celebration of First Eucharist is a special time in the faith life of a child. Therefore, it is most important that children are prepared properly to better understand the importance of the Eucharist in our lives. The children prepare for this sacrament by participating in Religious Education through CCD or Catholic school. The preparations begin in first grade. First Holy Communion is received in the second grade.
Please see the First Communion guidelines for a list of important dates and information concerning your child’s First Holy Communion.
