The Holy Eucharist nourishes the life of the Spirit received in Baptism and strengthened in Confirmation. The Holy Eucharist is central in our faith, at the heart of the Church, for it is Christ truly present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. In the Eucharist, Christ is among us, teaching us as He taught those gathered around Him at the altar of the Last Supper. It is the family of God gathered at His table. Always, it is the event of the assembly of the faithful gathered around Christ risen and glorified.

“The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all His benefits, for all that He has accomplished through creation, redemption, and sanctification. Eucharist means first of all ‘thanksgiving.'"

- CCC 1360
 

Eucharist for the Sick and Elderly

The Holy Eucharist, as a symbol of unity and thanksgiving, is best seen when the Christian community gathers around the altar. Unfortunately, some members of our parish, due to sickness or age, are unable to attend Mass and celebrate the Holy Eucharist with the community. They, however, continue to be a part of our family. Arrangements to have the Holy Eucharist taken to the sick and/or elderly may be made by calling the Parish Office.

Celebration of First Eucharist

When a child is able to understand God’s presence among us and His Son’s special presence in the Holy Eucharist, then the Church welcomes the child to the altar of the Lord.

The second grade is the suggested time for the first celebration of Holy Eucharist. Special preparation is provided for all second grade students enrolled in the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), provided they successfully completed one year of religious instruction in the first grade.

Sts. Peter and Paul Parish strives to provide a strong preparation program for those children planning to celebrate the Eucharist for the first time. This preparation, however, is designed to assist, not replace, the preparation within the family by the parents. In order to aid the parents in the preparation, a seminar for parents of children preparing to celebrate First Eucharist is provided by Sts. Peter and Paul Parish. All parents are required to attend.

Celebration of First Eucharist is scheduled in the spring upon completion of the preparation program.

At times, there are those who, for a number of reasons, did not celebrate the Eucharist for the first time in second grade and have yet to do so. In these situations, special arrangements and preparations may be made by calling the parish Coordinator of Religious Education.