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, therefore, are encouraged to avail themselves of 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 the 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, usually in term 3.  The Sacrament is received during the Saturday 5:00pm Mass and Sunday 10:00am 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 or church in the weeks leading up to the Commitment Mass.
  • Attending the Commitment Mass, held at 10:00 on a Sunday, after which students will receive their preparation workbooks and the formation of preparation groups will be discussed.
  • The child and a parent attend group preparation sessions, held weekly and each of approx one hour in length.

2023

First Eucharist (Holy Communion) ceremonies will be held

on Sunday 10th September 2023 at 10am and Sunday 17th September 2023 at 10am

The preparation program will start from mid August

Families are welcome to email the Pastoral Associate ([email protected]) to add their details to the contact list. Then, St Columba’s Parish will be able to email you information as soon as it becomes available.