The Eucharist (Holy Communion) is one of the seven sacraments of the church. It was instituted by Jesus Christ during his Last Supper. Giving his disciples bread and wine during the Passover meal, Jesus commanded his followers to “do this in memory of me” while referring to the bread as “my body” and the wine as “my blood”. The Eucharist is the very sacrifice of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus which He instituted to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until His return in glory. Thus He entrusted to His Church this memorial of His death and Resurrection.

The Tabernacle On entering a church, we genuflect to the tabernacle that holds the consecrated host in order to respectfully acknowledge the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, a presence to which a votive candle or sanctuary lamp kept burning close to such a tabernacle draws attention. First Holy Communion As well as an important year in the life of each child, this is also an important year for their class, their teachers, and for parents/guardians. It is also a special time too for the parish community. A child’s faith journey began the day they were baptised.  First Holy Communion takes them on another step in their faith journey.

As part of our preparation for First Penance and First Holy Communion, we run a parish based programme, ‘Do this in Memory’. Information on this programme will be shared with classes preparing for First Penance and First Holy Communion.