Holy Eucharist
The Source and Summit of the Catholic Faith
“Holy Communion is the reception of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. More generally, it is our fellowship and union with Jesus and other baptized Christians in the Church, which has its source and summit in the celebration of the Eucharist. In this sense, Church as communion is the deepest vocation of the Church.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1382, 959 Eucharist is the third sacraments of the Rites of Initiation.
The Catholic Church is comprised of a Eucharistic people. The word “Eucharist” itself means “thanksgiving” to God. It recalls “the Jewish blessings that proclaim–especially during a meal–God’s works: creation, redemption, and sanctification.” CCC 1328 To that effect, “the other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works” of the people of God “are bound up with the Eucharist and oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself…” CCC 1324
It is this actual meal; not symbolic that defines our faith. Catholics on Sundays celebrate the Day of the Lord, the holy mass; not a service. In holy mass, during the bloodless sacrifice of Christ upon the altar, “we already untie ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life, when God will be all in all.” CCC 1326
For adults who are not Catholic or those adults who were baptized Catholic but have never received instruction for Eucharist, the parish offers the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Preparation of Children for First Reception of the Eucharist
The preparation process for First Holy Communion affords us an opportunity to help our children form lifelong habits as good Catholics by forming them in prayer and in assisting their comprehension of the amazing grace offered in this sacrament. At Baptism parents are called to raise their children in the ways of the faith. First Holy Communion is a continuation of that promise and is, as our catechism states, the “source and summit” of our faith.
When we gather for Holy Mass we are doing just that, gathering. We are an assembly, a community of believers who need to actively participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We need to avoid the tendency of being passive. We are joined as the assembly of God to participate in praise and worship. We are called to eat at the table of plenty, to be in common union with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We are all on a journey, and the children are in the beginning stages of theirs as they prepare for First Holy Communion. Parents, catechists, and the pastor aid the children in their journey of recognizing that this is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ. It is at Holy Mass that bread and wine are transformed into the Precious Body and Precious Blood of Jesus, and that through Holy Communion He can and will transform us. Preparation will consist of regular mass attendance, class attendance, parent meetings, and a retreat for the children.
Our preparation is geared toward doing all we can to be sure that children and their parents are ready to experience First Holy Communion as the beginning of a lifetime of being nourished at the Lord’s Table. It is not only about the academics of “making a sacrament” but a very significant amount of importance is placed on the spiritual preparation of the child. Children learn what they live as the saying goes. When attending Holy Mass and participating in the Eucharist and Reconciliation are important to you, it will also be important to your child. For more information on how to enroll your child into faith formation classes.
