"Then He took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, which is give up for you--do this in My remembrance.” Likewise, He took the cup and after they had eaten and said, “this cup is the new covenant in My blood which is poured out for you.”
Luke 22:19-20

 
Under the appearances of bread and wine, Jesus Christ is completely present as both God and man in the Holy Eucharist.  It is his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.  This is a great mystery, yet we know it to be true because Jesus tells us so.  Jesus wanted his Real Presence to come to us in a way that would be familiar to us, as food. Jesus celebrated the first Eucharist at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday evening, the night before he died.
 
The Eucharist looks and tastes like bread and wine, but through the words of the consecration spoken by the priest at Mass, the substance of the bread and wine changes into the actual Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. The Church calls this process Transubstantiation.  
 

Receiving the Holy Eucharist

Normally in our diocese, children receive this Sacrament after the age of reason, which is usually in or around 2nd grade. In order to receive First Holy Communion if students are not in our Catholic Schools system, children must attend two full years of religious instruction in our Parish School of Religion (PSR). Adults who did not receive this Sacrament as a child and who would like to receive both Holy Communion and Confirmation, may enroll in a Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program.
 
For proper reception of Holy Eucharist, Catholics should have fasted for one hour.  They should not be conscious of grave sin.  A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916).
 
Holy Eucharist may be received at home, in a nursing home or in the hospital.  If you are unable to attend Mass and want to receive Communion, either you or an immediate family member may contact the office and one of our ministers will be honored to bring Communion to you.