Eucharist

The Eucharist is the heart and center of the sacramental life. The Second Vatican Council referred to it as the source and the summit of the whole Christian life. The Eucharist not only signifies but actually contains the body and blood of Christ. At the Eucharist we gather together around a common table and partake of the banquet that Christ has prepared for us—now and for all eternity.

The Eucharist also has a more universal meaning and significance. It is a reminder to everyone that we are one family under God and that our family solidarity is sustained and deepened by the ordinary things of life, especially through our eating together. We eat together not just for physical nourishment, but also to celebrate and strengthen the bonds of love and friendship that give our lives meaning, purpose, and direction.

Eucharist is one of the sacraments of initiation. “Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism which is the beginning of new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening; and the Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Christ's Body and Blood for his transformation in Christ.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, article 1275

“Receive what you are (Body of Christ)
Become what you receive (Body of Christ)”
St. Augustine

For information on becoming a Catholic, see RCIA—the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

For information on First Communion for Children, see First Eucharist Preparation.

For the liturgy schedule, see Immaculate Conception Church Liturgy Schedule on our Home page.

First Eucharist Preparation

Preparing your child for the sacraments is a partnership between family and parish. Baptism was the first step in your child’s journey toward full initiation into the Catholic faith. Coming to the table of the Lord in the Eucharist is the next sacrament of initiation, followed by the sacrament of Confirmation (celebrated in the teen years in our diocese). These are the three sacraments of initiation. In our diocese, as in most, First Reconciliation is celebrated prior to First Eucharist.

As required by the diocese, children are to be regular participants in a faith formation process at least one year prior to formal preparation for this sacrament. The National Directory for Catechesis requires that parents, too, take an active part in the child's formation. Families can enroll their child in Children's Faith Formation for preparing and celebrating the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist (First Communion) as second graders, if they have been enrolled in the parish faith formation process one year prior.

The preparation process at Immaculate Conception Church involves participation in our Children's Faith Formation sessions, parish wide faith formation gatherings, attendance at parent and parent/child workshops, and completing required materials at home.

Sacrament Preparation for First Reconciliation / First Eucharist involves:

• Participation in parish life, particularly regular attendance at the weekend liturgy
   
• Participation in parish wide faith formation gatherings
   
• Participation in parish parent and child sacrament preparation sessions (approximately two in the fall and two in the spring)

First Eucharist is usually scheduled during the spring and is celebrated with the entire parish community at all liturgies on a designated weekend.

We delight in sharing this significant time in your family's ongoing faith formation and pray that you will be enriched by your experience. For more information, please contact the Children's Faith Formation Coordinator.

Those who wish to share in this ministry as a sacrament preparation catechist for the workshops, a refreshment volunteer, or a retreat assistant are asked to contact the Children's Faith Formation Coordinator.