The Holy Eucharist—which is also called “the Mass,” “the Lord’s Supper” and “the Divine Liturgy” –is the source and summit of our life as a parish community. In it, the Risen Christ makes himself present to us in an extraordinary way. In the Eucharist, the bread and wine are transformed into his body and blood. Through our sharing in this sacrificial banquet, we receive Christ himself and grow more perfectly into his image and likeness. Through our sharing in the Holy Eucharist, we become the “Body of Christ” for the world.
The Holy Eucharist is celebrated every Sunday—the “Lord’s Day.” Because it is the day on which we commemorate Christ’s resurrection, it is our most important weekly liturgy. Mass is also celebrated during the week and on holydays. Mass times may vary on special feast days (e.g. Christmas & Easter) and during the season of Lent.
Children who were baptized as infants usually receive the Eucharist for the first time (First Communion) around the age of seven or eight after a period of learning and preparation which includes the participation of their parents.
Baptized adults who have not yet received First Communion do so in a way best suited to their needs with the support parish community usually through our parish RCIA program.
For more information concerning preparation for First Communion, please contact the parish office.
Holy Communion is also brought to parishioners who are sick, homebound or otherwise unable to come to Mass, by the priest and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Please be sure to notify the parish staff. Parishioners who are hospitalized should first notify the Pastoral Care Office of the hospital as Holy Communion is often brought to Catholic patients through the hospital’s Catholic chaplaincy.