Eucharist (Holy Communion)

What is the eucharist?

The term "Eucharist" comes from the Greek noun εὐχαριστία (transliterated as "eucharistia"), meaning "thanksgiving." It is truly fitting of a name since Jesus Himself thanked the Father during the Lord's Supper, while we too offer ourselves up to God as a sign of thanksgiving as we unite in communion with Christ and His Church. It is the "source and summit of the Christian life." (CCC, 1324). In the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we receive Christ's body, blood, soul, and divinity into ourselves. It is not a symbol of Christ's body. In the Mass, there is an actual transubstantiation that occurs changing into His body. We see this John 6:53 when Christ says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." Again, in John 6:55 he says, "For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed..."  

how can I partake in the eucharist?

For Children (ages 7-15): 

• First Communion and Confirmation preparation will begin after the first of the year only for students who have been attending Religious Education on a regular basis (approx. 75% attendance rate).
• First Communion and Confirmation will both have a required Saturday morning workshop. These workshops will be in both English and Spanish.
• Candidates for Confirmation will be required to attend four workshops. Confirmandi will also be required to attend a retreat and complete at least one service project.
• Candidates for both First Communion and Confirmation will then be required to schedule a Pastoral Discussion to assess their readiness. 
• This is an all-volunteer program, so parents are expected to assist on a regular basis, as well as support their children's faith by regular Mass attendance and teaching their children their prayers.

*** Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered each Sunday during the 9:30AM Mass from October –May for children age 4-grade 3. This is a free program and registration is not necessary. ***

For Adults:

• If you are a Catholic, you are free to partake in Holy Communion during the Mass as long as you are not consciously in a state of grave sin. It is also recommended that you fast for at least one hour before receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
• If you are not a Catholic, please see the R.C.I.A. section in the Adult Faith Formation tab for more information.