First Holy Communion

First Holy Communion (also called First Eucharist) is normally celebrated in the Second Grade (7-years old). Children must be registered in the Faith Formation Program and families must be registered parishioners.

See Mark 14:22-25; John 6:48; Acts 2:42
The most important sign of Jesus' presence in the Church and our lives is the Eucharist. In the Eucharist we celebrate the command Jesus passed on to us at the Last Supper: This is my body, take and eat; this is my blood, take and drink. Because we use bread and wine for Eucharist, signs are often wheat and grapes or a chalice and host. Jesus tells us in John 6:51, I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. We honor Jesus' memory each time we celebrate the Eucharist. The word Eucharist means "thanksgiving," so during Mass we thank God for al that Jesus said and did. The bread and wine we share still have the appearance of ordinary bread and wine, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, they become Jesus' body and blood. Catholics believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is our spiritual food that gives us the desire and strength to become more like Jesus and to work to build up his Body, the Church. Through the Eucharist we are also called to love and serve others. We celebrate the Eucharist at Mass and the word Mass means "to be sent." The whole community is sent to make Jesus' presence felt in the world by continuing his caring, healing mission. To learn more about Eucharist see the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 1322-1419.