The celebration of the Eucharist is the highest act of worship the Church can offer to God. The Eucharist is the memorial of the life-giving death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Eucharist, God provides for the two-fold needs of human nature, nourishing us with food and renewing us in the Sacrament of His Body and Blood.

The term Eucharist describes the celebration of what is usually called Mass. The Eucharist, when received as food for the soul, is usually called Holy Communion. To receive Communion effectively in their life, a person must be baptised, in a state of grace, living in a worthy manner and fasting from all food for one hour before the moment of receiving Holy Communion.

As Communion is the source of spiritual life for a Christian, we are encouraged to receive Communion at least once a year, preferably at Easter Time and of course at all other times, once properly disposed and prepared.

First Holy Communion

First Holy Communion is that time, in a young Christian’s life, when having reached the age of reason, usually at about 8 years of age, and in second class at school, they are prepared and presented by their parents/guardians, to receive the Body of Christ for the first time.

The children in our parish schools are prepared for the sacrament by their teachers and the priest. Our parish "Do This in Memory Program" is a series of four Sunday Masses in which the children participate and are invited to come forward for a blessing at Communion time.

 

Those children in non-Catholic schools must be presented by their parents two years before the proposed time of their first Holy Communion to be enrolled in a preparatory course of instruction for Holy Communion.