EUCHARIST

What is the Eucharist?

Catholics believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. As we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.

First Communion

Readiness to receive communion is based on each child’s sense of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharistic communion host and their participation at Mass. This is why, historically in the Church, communion was only allowed at a later age. The disposition to receive Holy Communion, however, as Pope St. Pius X declared to the Church in 1910, can happen much earlier. As such, 1st communion and confession at Holy Redeemer is open to children as early as 1st Grade who go through a “discernment process” using these worksheets and participate in our SEEKERS children’s ministry.

Have your child work on these sheets during or immediately after Mass. We recommend he/she does this over several Masses. Once your child has gone through each sheet at least once (they may choose to do particular sheets they enjoy more than once) and when you feel that he/she is ready to move forward in the process, help him/her write their prayer on the final sheet, bind the sheets together into a short booklet and submit it to the Religious Education office. This booklet will constitute your child’s formal request to receive final preparation for first communion as well as your intention to bring them to the monthly Saturday first confession and communion prayer/prep sessions (refer to the SEEKERS calendar for specific dates/times).