First Eucharist

The Eucharist is the source and the summit of the whole of the Church’s worship and of the Christian life. As the Vatican Council’s Decree on the Life and Ministry of Priests reminds us: “every other sacrament, indeed every ministry of the Church, is linked with the Eucharist and is directed towards it …. for the Eucharist contains the entire spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ Himself”.

It would be difficult to overestimate the power of this Sacrament to strengthen and to nourish our spiritual lives. Parishioners are encouraged to receive this Sacrament as often as possible. It is the duty of parents, too, to participate in the sacramental programme provided by the parish, so that their children will be adequately prepared for their first reception of the Eucharist.

So that the Eucharist will be more readily available to people, the Church has authorised what are called Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. These are Religious, Acolytes or Special Ministers: lay people who can assist the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass, or in taking the Eucharist to sick or elderly people in their homes.

If you or someone in your family is unable to attend Mass, whether temporarily or permanently, due to sickness or advanced age, please contact the parish office and a minister of the Eucharist will be arranged to bring Communion to the home.

First Eucharist

First Eucharist is received in Year 3 or above.  The Sacrament is received during the Sunday 10:00 am Mass on the designated weekend.

For students of St Columba’s Primary School and students of other schools, preparation for receiving First Eucharist involves:

  • Completing the Sacrament enrolment form and providing the required attachments, such as the child’s Baptism certificate (which can be obtained from the church of Baptism).  The enrolment form can be obtained from the parish office. Contact the Pastoral Associate at [email protected]
  • Attending the Commitment Mass, held at 10:00 am on a Sunday preceding the beginning of the Preparation Groups, during which students will receive their preparation workbooks.
  • The child and a parent attending the group preparation sessions, held weekly. Eeach session is approx. 40 mins in length.

2024

First Eucharist (Holy Communion) ceremonies will be held on Sunday 8th September 2024 at 10am and Sunday 15th September 2024 at 10am

The preparation program will start in the week beginning 12 August 2024.

Parents are invited to email the Pastoral Associate ([email protected]) for an enrolment form.