The Holy Eucharist
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever.” (John 6:51)
About the Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist is the center of the Church’s life and worship. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls it “the source and summit of the Christian life,” because all the other sacraments and ministries of the Church are ordered toward it. In the Eucharist the whole spiritual good of the Church is given to us: Christ Himself.
At the Last Supper, on the night before He died, Jesus instituted the Eucharist when He took bread and wine and said, “This is my Body… This is my Blood.” Through the words of consecration spoken by the priest at Mass and the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Under the appearance of bread and wine, Christ is present: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
The Mass makes present the saving sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and allows the faithful to participate in His perfect offering to the Father. When we receive Holy Communion, we are united more deeply with Christ, strengthened in grace, and drawn into deeper communion with the whole Church.
The Eucharist nourishes the life of the soul, increases charity, forgives venial sins, and strengthens us to live as faithful disciples. By receiving the Body and Blood of the Lord with faith and reverence, we are drawn more fully into the life of Christ and the mission of His Church.
First Communion at St. Patrick
Information about First Communion preparation at St. Patrick Parish will be posted soon.
Please contact the parish office if you have questions about sacramental preparation for children.
Class Information
Details about First Communion preparation classes will be available soon.
In the meantime, please contact the parish office for guidance on next steps.
Who May Receive Holy Communion
Catholics who have received First Communion, are properly disposed, and are in a state of grace may receive Holy Communion. Anyone conscious of grave sin should first receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before approaching the altar.
Those who are not Catholic or who are not prepared to receive Communion are welcome to remain in prayer or to come forward to receive a blessing from a priest or deacon during this time.
Adults Seeking First Communion
Adults who wish to receive the Eucharist for the first time ordinarily prepare through OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Contact Us About OCIA