THE EUCHARIST
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The term “Eucharist”
originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving.
In the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus
Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole
Christ is truly present -- body, blood, soul, and divinity -- under the appearances of bread
and wine, the glorified Christ who rose from the dead. This is what the Church means
when she speaks of the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist.
In the Eucharist the Church both receives the gift of Jesus Christ and gives grateful thanks
to God for such a blessing. This thanksgiving is the only proper response, for through this
gift of himself in the celebration of the Eucharist under the appearances of bread and wine
Christ gives us the gift of eternal life.
Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his
blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has
eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood
is true drink. . . . Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the
Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. (Jn 6:53-57)
For more information on the Eucharist, visit the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops’ Website: The Eucharist | USCCB
Preparation for the Sacraments of
FIRST EUCHARIST and FIRST RECONCILIATION
A candidate inquirying about the preparation of this combined program must be at the age of discretion, seven years of age or above and must meet the following requirements:
Please fill in the inquiry form below and someone from the parish will get in touch with you with more information.