FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
What is Holy Eucharist?
Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament in which Jesus Christ gives his Body and Blood—himself— for us, so that we too might give ourselves to him in love and be united with him in Holy Communion. In this way we are joined with the one Body of Christ, the Church.
After Baptism and Confirmation, the Eucharist is the third sacrament of initiation of the Catholic Church. The Eucharist is the mysterious center of all these sacraments, because the historic sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross is made present during the words of consecration in a hidden, unbloody manner. When we eat the broken Bread, we unite ourselves with the love of Jesus, who gave his body for us on the wood of the Cross; when we drink from the chalice, we unite ourselves with him who even poured out his blood out of love for us. We did not invent this ritual.
When did Christ institute the Eucharist?
Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist on the evening before his death, “on the night when he was betrayed” (1 Cor 11:23), when he gathered the Apostles around him in the Upper Room in Jerusalem and celebrated the Last Supper with them.
How did Christ institute the Eucharist?
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said,my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also the chalice, after supper, saying, ‘This chalice is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me’ ” (1 Cor 11:23-25).
What is required?
Children need to be baptised.
Parents play a major part in the preparation and are guided through it with the help of parents' meetings and the Family Work Book.
Catechists also lead the children in group activities, and the parish prays for the children and celebrates Sunday Mass with them.The children's presence at Sunday Mass is required. The 10.00am Mass is particularly suitable for them and there are several occasions when they have a special involvement at this Mass.
Participation at Sunday Mass is at the heart of the preparation so it is essential that the family attend Mass regularly before embarking on the programme. The meetings for children and parents take place on alternate Saturdays in term time. The enrolment is in September.
How to apply?
Parents who are parishioners attending Sunday Mass regularly may register children of year 3 or above at the beginning of September in response to a newsletter announcement.