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The Sacrament of the Holy
Eucharist
The belief that the Holy Eucharist is truly the body
and blood, soul and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and a desire to
receive the Sacrament are essential to the reception of First Holy
Communion. Determining
readiness to make one’s First Holy Communion is left to the discretion
of the parents, the priest, the Religious Education Coordinator, and the
instructor of the children. To
make First Holy Communion:
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Children
must have completed 7 years of age. |
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Children must have completed 2 years of religious
instruction (catechism) and demonstrate basic understanding of
catechism. |
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A copy of the child’s baptism certificate must
be presented. |
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Faithful and consistent participation in the
parish catechism classes (CCD). |
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Prior to the celebration of the Sacrament,
parents will be required to attend a meeting with the pastor. |
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The Catechism Class schedule for St. Helen’s is
available by clicking
here. |
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The Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament by which Christ becomes
and remains present to His people under the form of bread and wine.
There are two important aspects of the Holy Eucharist by
means of which we can talk and explain this Sacrament.
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Holy Eucharist as the Holy Mass.
During each Mass we gather together as a community to give thanks and
praise to God through Jesus Christ and to remember and make present the
sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the Cross.
It is only in context of the Mass that through action of the priest,
bread and wine become the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ
(transubstantiation). |
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Holy Eucharist as Holy Communion.
During Mass or outside of Mass (generally when ill), we can receive
the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus in the form of the Eucharist Bread or
Host. We are then able to say
that we have received Holy Communion or Eucharist.
By reception of this Holy Communion, we receive Jesus into our hearts
and souls, are united with Him in a very special way. |
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We believe that Christ is truly present in the
consecrated bread and wine. Therefore, consecrated hosts and wine have to be honored and adored.
The whole Christ is present in either kind (bread or wine), so it is enough
to receive only one kind; usually we receive Eucharistic bread. The
sacrament effects union with Christ; it is nourishment for the soul, gives
increase in grace and remits venial sin and punishment. |
Effects of the Holy Eucharist:
| Union with Christ by love. Since we receive Christ into our hearts, we
are united with him in a very special way. - Increase of grace. Eucharist is
the nourishment for our souls. In a very practical way Eucharist makes
stronger our faith. - Forgiveness of venial sins. Holy Communion remits all
venial sins of the recipient. In that sense Eucharist is a medicine which
heals our souls. - The pledge of our resurrection. According to the promise
of Jesus, all those who will partake in his body and blood will receive
everlasting life. |
| The Holy Communion can be also offered for our relations, friends and the
souls departed. We believe that such an offering brings about real effects
on the living and the dead. By the same manner, it is Church's tradition to
offer Masses for the intentions of the living and the deceased. |
| Each baptized person is encouraged to receive the Holy Communion. In order
to receive the Communion, the recipient should be in the state of grace, it
means he or she should have not committed a mortal sin. If one has committed
a mortal sin, he or she should go to confession first. We are also asked by
the Church to fast for an hour before we can receive Communion. We are
encouraged to receive communion daily. |
| Only an ordained priest can celebrate the Holy Mass. |
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