The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church’s life, for in it Christ associates His Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once for all on the cross to his Father. By this sacrifice He pours out the graces of salvation on his body, which is the Church.
The Eucharistic celebration always includes:
These elements constitute one single act of worship. The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, that is, of the work of salvation accomplished by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, a work made present by the liturgical action. The essential signs of the Eucharistic sacrament are wheat bread and grape wine, on which the blessing of the Holy Spirit is invoked and the priest pronounces the words of consecration spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper: “This is my body which will be given up for you … This is the cup of my blood…” Taken From: The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part II, Section 2, The Seven Sacraments of the Church.
First Holy Communion is usually received in 2nd grade. Classes at Queen of Peace begin in September, with First Communion being received in May. Two years of Religious Education classes are required prior to receiving Communion. Sacramental preparation classes take place in the Parish. All children, whether in a Catholic School or in Religious Education classes must attend the preparation classes the year of the receipt of the Sacrament.
For more information please contact:
Lisa McQuagge
p. (352) 448-4548
e. Email