The Sacrament of Eucharist
We find the origins of the Eucharist in the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his apostles. "In order to leave them a pledge of this love, in order never to depart from his own and to make them sharers in his Passover, he instituted the Eucharist as the memorial of his death and Resurrection, and commanded his apostles to celebrate it until his return."
The Eucharist, the sacrament of our salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross, is also a sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for the work of creation. In the Eucharistic sacrifice the whole of creation loved by God is presented to the Father through the death and the Resurrection of Christ. Through Christ the Church can offer the sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for all that God has made good, beautiful, and just in creation and in humanity.
The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits, for all that he has accomplished through creation, redemption, and sanctification. Eucharist means first of all "thanksgiving." From the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1337, 1359, 1360.
Preparation for the Sacraments of Christian Initiation:
Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the “sacraments of Christian Initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded." From the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1285. The program of preparation for these sacraments (RCIA) begins in the fall and ends with the immersion into the Easter mystery at the Easter Vigil. Classes are held each Wednesday at 7.00 p.m. in the school library. For more information, please call the Parish Office (478) 743-1454).
First Eucharist preparations:
The celebration of First Eucharist is a special time in the faith of a child. Therefore, it is most important that children are prepared properly to better understand the importance of the Eucharist in their lives. The children prepare for this sacrament by participating in Religious Education through our CCD program.
Our Religious Education program (CCD) classes are held each Sunday at 10.00 a.m. in the School. Children should be enrolled for the entire school year in order to properly prepare for receiving the sacraments. For more information, please call Bettye Middlebrooks, at the Parish Office (478) 743-1454.