Eucharist

What is the Eucharist?
The Sacrament of the Eucharist is both a sacrifice and a meal. At the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of His Body and Blood to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the ages, entrusting to His Church a memorial of His death and Resurrection (USCCB). The Eucharist is the sum of our faith. By consuming the true Body and Blood of Christ, we become united to Him and are nourished to seek God's will.

What Happens During the Sacrament of the Eucharist?
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, our gifts of bread and wine become the true Body and Blood of Christ while maintaining the appearances of bread and wine, a process called transubstantiation. Our participation in the Mass is a sign of our full initiation into the Church, the Body of Christ.

Scheduling Your First Communion (Eucharist)
Children are usually prepared to receive their First Holy Communion in second grade. They are prepared through a special program and must already be attending religious education classes or attending Catholic grade school. Older children may be prepared separately from second graders. For further information, please contact our Parish School of Religion Office at 740-587-4160.

Adults who have not yet received First Holy Communion may contact Dcn. John Barbour to learn about our OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) process. Those interested in OCIA are encouraged to complete the OCIA Inquiry Form.