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While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to His disciples said, "Take and eat; this is My Body." Then He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins." |
THE REAL PRESENCE
Catholics celebrate the Eucharist during every Mass. At one point during the Mass, you will see a Catholic priest say prayers over bread and wine; the Holy Spirit's power cause them to become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Catholics rightfully believe that the whole Christ is truly present -- body, blood, soul, and divinity -- under the appearances of bread and wine. To learn more about this, read this. To find out more about Eucharistic miracles, go to this website, which was designed, written, and published by Blessed Carlo Acutis. |
PREPARING FOR THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Children prepare for the Sacrament of Holy Communion by attending religious education classes. Go to our Religious Education page to learn how to register or volunteer as a Catechist.
Adults also prepare for this Sacrament by attending religious education courses. Go to our RCIA page to find out how to register or volunteer on the RCIA/RICA team.
Catholics have the chance to receive Holy Communion daily; see our Mass schedule on our home page.
THE FAITHFUL WHO ARE HOMEBOUND
If you or a loved one is checked into a hospital or a nursing home, please register as a Catholic. When you do so, a Eucharistic Minister will know to bring you Holy Communion. Eucharistic Ministers also visit the homebound. Holy Family priests will visit those in the hospital, in nursing homes, and at home for confessions. Please call the Parish Office at 335-2385 for more information or to arrange for a visit.
GUIDELINES FOR THE RECEPTION OF COMMUNION
For Catholics
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (Code of Canon Law, canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.
For our fellow Christians
We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (John 17:21).
Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, member of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).
For those not receiving Holy Communion
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.
For non-Christians
We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.
Copyright © 1996, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved.
Children prepare for the Sacrament of Holy Communion by attending religious education classes. Go to our Religious Education page to learn how to register or volunteer as a Catechist.
Adults also prepare for this Sacrament by attending religious education courses. Go to our RCIA page to find out how to register or volunteer on the RCIA/RICA team.
Catholics have the chance to receive Holy Communion daily; see our Mass schedule on our home page.
THE FAITHFUL WHO ARE HOMEBOUND
If you or a loved one is checked into a hospital or a nursing home, please register as a Catholic. When you do so, a Eucharistic Minister will know to bring you Holy Communion. Eucharistic Ministers also visit the homebound. Holy Family priests will visit those in the hospital, in nursing homes, and at home for confessions. Please call the Parish Office at 335-2385 for more information or to arrange for a visit.
GUIDELINES FOR THE RECEPTION OF COMMUNION
For Catholics
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (Code of Canon Law, canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.
For our fellow Christians
We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (John 17:21).
Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, member of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).
For those not receiving Holy Communion
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.
For non-Christians
We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.
Copyright © 1996, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved.