The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1324-1327), states that "The Eucharist is "the source and summit" of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.

The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being. It is the culmination both of God's action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit. 

Finally, by the Eucharistic celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life, when God will be all in all. In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking."

We encourage those who are not ready or unable to receive Holy Communion, to approach the altar in the communion line, and then cross their arms over their chest to receive a blessing.

Take a look at our document explaining Sacramental Preparation: Sacraments: What You Need To Know

•  If your child or teen attends a Catholic School, they will need to only attend the preparation sessions (NOT weekly Faith Formation or Youth Ministry.)
• If your child is not in Catholic School, they will need to enroll in weekly Faith Formation or Youth Ministry classes, along with preparation sessions for the sacrament.

If you are interested in learning more about First Eucharist, please contact Paulette Foggetti at [email protected]

If you are gluten-intolerant and cannot receive the regular host at Mass we can provide a special gluten-free host. Please give us a call at the Ministry Center (585-586-5675) to request one.