Holy Eucharist (Communion)

Communion is when a person receives the body and blood of Christ (Holy Eucharist) into themselves via bread and wine.

“Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism, and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation, participate with the whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.”

– The Catechism of the Catholic Church

What is the Sacrament of Holy Communion?

From the day of your Baptism, the Church prepared a place for you at the table of the Lord.

Your child will join your family and God’s family at the Lord’s table for the first time. He/She will eat the “Bread of Life” and drink from the “Cup of Life”. Jesus gave us a wonderful gift in the Eucharist.

  • Spiritual Food: “The Eucharist is a meal.” On the table of the altar, Jesus feeds us with His Body and Blood under the appearances of bread and wine. Just as food nourishes our bodies, the Eucharist is spiritual food that nourishes our soul.
  • Real Presence: When we celebrate the Eucharist and spend time in Jesus’ presence our love for Him grows. Jesus called us his friends and in the Eucharist he makes it possible for us to be with Him.
  • Sacrifice: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was the offering of his Body and Blood to the Father as gifts for the salvation of the world. In the Mass we give bread and wine to God as signs of our giving ourselves to Him. When we receive Communion we are united with Jesus and transformed by his saving power.
  • Celebration: The Eucharist is a celebration. We gather with friends to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Eucharist is a thanksgiving celebration of what God has done for us in Christ.

First Holy Communion at St. Augustine Parish

  • When a baptized child is 7 years of age, in Grade 2 or above, he/she may participate in First Holy Communion.
  • There are preparation classes for all First Eucharist candidates coordinated by the parents, St. Augustine School and the parish. First Reconciliation education is done at the same time.
  • Those participating in First Holy Communion are required to celebrate the Sacrament of First Reconciliation before receiving their First Communion.
  • There is a cost of $30.00 for books to be used by the children, parents and teachers. They are titled “We Prepare for Reconciliation” and “We Share in the Eucharist”
  • Please contact the Parish Office for more information: call 403-783-4048 or email stachurch@shaw.ca.
  • To enroll your child, use the registration forms here: Register for First Holy Communion and the Registration and Participation Form or paper forms are available at the first meeting, usually in the Fall.

A Meal to Remember

Following the death and resurrection of Jesus, a new life began for the apostles. They often talked together about all that Jesus had done and said. They remembered his words at the Last Supper:

He broke bread , gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this all of you and eat it: This is my Body which is given for you.”

Then he took the cup, gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this, all of you and drink from it. This is the cup of my Blood. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of Me.”

Through the Eucharistic meal, we are nourished and strengthened in mind, body and spirit.

Things to consider before receiving Holy Communion:

When we invite special guests to our home, we clean and prepare our home for the visit. We must do the same when we prepare to receive Jesus at the Sacrament of Holy Communion. We do this by:

  • Eating and drinking nothing (except water) one hour before Communion
  • Being in a state of grace, which means to we are free from serious sin and are therefore holy and pleasing to God.

 

 

 

 

FORMS TO BE FILL:

First Communion Registration form

907B_PIPARegistrationAndParticipationForm24Apr20