He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." Luke 22:19-20
The Eucharist is a Sacrament of belonging. We gather in response to Jesus’ invitation. It is in the Eucharist that we live out and celebrate that we are sons and daughters of God. In this first Eucharist, the faith community expresses its’ desire to live out the family relationship. It is the bond that binds us close to God. We are home.
The Eucharist is a Sacrament of remembering. Eucharist means “thanksgiving”. We remember Christ is present and that He is present for us, becomes a part of us, and that we become the body of Christ. We remember that Jesus gave his life for others, as also we who share in this mystery must do. The bread and wine recall the last supper with Jesus’ friends, in which he said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
The Eucharist is a Sacrament of sharing. We come not as a spectator, but as an involved and active participant. As parents, we assist our children in their spirituality through prayer, celebration, teaching, example, and never ending love. We realize that faith is a journey that takes a lifetime. As Ambassadors, we live out that faith with our family, our church, and our relationships. We celebrate those special times in our own life and that of Jesus’ too. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is the sharing and loving celebration of life – a life in which our God in Christ is lovingly present in all we do and are. We celebrate in thankfulness and praise!
First Eucharist is generally celebrated in the spring of second grade. According to Canon Law (church law), children must be at least seven years of age before receiving the Eucharist for the first time. Children must be in a Religious Education Program or a Catholic school for 2 years before receiving the sacrament. Children who have not received the sacrament for whatever reason can be prepared at any time after second grade.