Eucharist

The sacrament of Eucharist brings to completion the Christian process of initiation. In this sacrament we remember what Jesus did for us in his life, death and resurrection. We remember particularly the Last Supper, that final meal Jesus shared with his disciples. At that meal Jesus gave us the Eucharist so that we could remember him in a special way. When we receive communion, we believe that we receive the person of Jesus into our very beings. We become one with him, and we become one with each other. As a community we become 'the body of Christ'.

The Sunday Eucharist (Sunday Mass) is the highpoint of our worship as a parish. The Eucharist is also celebrated twice a day Monday to Friday (9am and 12.15pm), on Saturday mornings (9am), and on special occasions. Communion is taken to the sick and housebound after each Sunday Mass by Ministers of Communion. Exposition of the Blessed Eucharist is held on Saturday mornings as part of Marian devotions 9.30-10.30am.

Because the Eucharist is our great sign of unity as a community, one must be a Catholic to receive the Eucharist. Catholic children usually make their first Eucharist (First Communion) at age 7. They prepare for this through the Children's Sacramental Program. For the 2008 First Communion program schedule, click here.

When an adult is baptized, he or she normally makes their First Communion in the same ceremony as their baptism. Their preparation for this is usually through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) or a similar process. For an Adult Baptism Brochure, click here.