The Sacrament of Eucharist
Sunday Eucharist (Mass) is the highlight of the entire Christian week.
The word Eucharist comes from the Greek word meaning thanksgiving. On the day of the resurrection we gather to give praise and thanks to God for the amazing deeds that God has done and is doing.
Each and every Sunday, God calls us to come and gather for the weekly celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection. In the Church a liturgical day begins at sundown; therefore, when we gather for the celebration of Mass on Saturday evening, we are celebrating the first Mass of Sunday. The primacy of the Sunday Eucharist cannot be overstated. Weekly participation in Sunday Eucharist is a hallmark of a Catholic way of life.
It is the joy of each baptized person to participate in the weekly celebration of Sunday Eucharist. Being ready to share in the Body and Blood of Christ means we are ready to participate fully in the entire celebration of Eucharist. Participating fully includes singing, listening, watching, responding to the prayers, hearing God’s Word proclaimed, coming to be nourished at the table of the Lord and being sent to love God by loving and serving one another.
Children who are baptized in the Roman Catholic Church and have reached the age of reason (7) are prepared by their parents to come and share in Holy Communion for the first time. This immediate preparation takes place in the Parish and includes times for parent catechesis (teaching), prayer, Sunday worship and family catechesis. Each September we invite parents who have registered their children, wishing to prepare their child for first sharing in Holy Communion to attend an information meeting. Please read the Parish bulletin for specific dates.
Adults or children who are not baptized in the Roman Catholic Church and desire to participate fully in Eucharist through sharing in Holy Communion are invited to speak with Father Roy about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
(We would like to thank Catherine Ecker (catherineecker56@gmail.com), who is the principal author.)