Holy Eucharist

The sacraments of Christian initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist – lay the foundations of every Christian life. The sharing in the divine nature given to all men and women through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life.

The Sacrament of Communion is a Holy Sacrament by which the believer eats the Holy Body and Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, present under the form of Bread and Wine. This sacrament has the greatest importance among the seven church sacraments. It is sometimes called the “Mystery of Mysteries” or the “Crown of Sacraments”, for all the sacraments are crowned by the Eucharist

The Sacrament of Holy Communion has many benefits, such as:

  • Abiding in Christ according to His precious promise: “He who eats My Flesh, and drinks My Blood abides in Me, and I in him.” (John 6:56) By receiving this sacrament we become members of His Body, of His Flesh and of His Bones, (Ephesians 5:30) and we also become partakers of the Divine Nature. (2 Peter 1:4)
  • It gives us the promise of eternal life: “Whoever eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day. He who eats this Bread will live forever.” (John 6:54,58)
  • It provides growth in the Spirit and spiritual perfection and life in Jesus Christ, for He said: “For My Flesh is food indeed and My Blood is drink indeed …. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.” (John 6:55,57)
  • As food develops the body and keeps it healthy, so too the spiritual food, which is the Holy Body and Blood of Christ, strengthens the soul so that it may grow continually in grace.
  • It provides remedy to the soul, body and spirit, as we say in the Offertory Mystery: “That they (Holy Body and Precious Blood) may become to us all for participation and healing and salvation for our souls, bodies and our spirits.”

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Receiving “First Communion” is a highlight for a child’s early faith life. From the time that your child was baptized, the journey to the Eucharist began. Children who are seven years of age (or have begun Grade Two) are invited to begin preparation for this special moment in their lives.

The Eucharist is the central act of worship in the liturgical life of the Catholic Church. The celebration of the Mass is the best expression of the church’s worship of God. Eucharist means “thanksgiving”. It is the greatest means Christians have of thanking God for the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ. In receiving Holy Communion, we receive the real presence of Jesus and so enter into an “intimate communion with God”.

In St. Francis Xavier Parish, children prepare for First Communion as a regular part of their faith formation in Grade Two in our local Catholic Schools.

DATES FOR THIS YEAR’S FIRST RECONCILIATIONS:

St. Francis Xavier – Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 – 7:00 pm

St. Martin of Tours – Wednesday, March 29th, 2023 – 7:00 pm

St. Clare of Assisi – Thursday, March 30th, 2023 – 7:00 pm

St. Agnes – Friday, March 31st, 2023 – 7:00 pm

Our Lady of Peace – Tuesday, April 4th, 2023 – 7:00 pm

DATES FOR THIS YEAR’S FIRST COMMUNION CELEBRATIONS:

St. Francis Xavier – Saturday, April 22nd, 2023 –  10:00 am

St. Martin of Tours – Saturday, April 22nd –  2:00 pm

St. Clare of Assisi – Sunday, April 23rd, 2023 –  1:30 pm

St. Agnes – Saturday, April 29th, 2023 –  10:00 am

Our Lady of Peace – Saturday, April 29th, 2023 –  2:00 pm