Eucharist
Jesus took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. (1 Corinth. 11:23-26)
The Eucharist is one of the Sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, together with Baptism and Confirmation. In Baptism we are anointed into the royal, priestly, prophetic family of God. In Confirmation we’re sealed with the Holy Spirit. In the Eucharist, a repeatable sacrament, we renew, deepen and strengthen what God has done for us in Baptism and Confirmation.
Our Diocese makes the following recommendations:
Children in our Catholic schools are normally prepared for receiving the Eucharist for the first time and celebrate the sacrament in grade 3, or at about age eight.
Preparation
Children attending a Catholic school will be prepared by their teachers at school. Children who do not attend a Catholic school are prepared at St Joseph Church in the Parish-Based Program. Parents are required to attend the 6 sessions with their child.
One of the best ways for you to prepare your child for this sacrament is to model the love for the Eucharist by coming to Mass every Sunday.
Parent Sacramental info night:
Parents will be asked to attend a zoom information meeting. The link to the meeting will be emailed the day of the meeting. Parents will learn more about the sacrament of the Eucharist and on how they can support their children as they journey to receive this sacrament.
Presentation of students preparing for their First Eucharist:
Families are invited to come at any of the Masses of this weekend. The children will be called forward with a parent, Godparent or Guardian to the front of the church to be presented to the parish community. The parish community will welcome and pray for these children and families as they continue their preparation to receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist.
Rehearsal
Children receiving the Eucharist for the first time will be asked to come, with their families, to a rehearsal.
Celebrations
Depending on where your child was prepared, celebrations will happen at a different time during regular Masses.
Resources:
FORMED has wonderful videos for children. You can watch the one about the Eucharist here. If you haven’t signed up on Fromed.org, please register as a member of Saint Joseph Grand Prairie.
Catholic Central- Eucharist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gndxqjRrXwk
Registrations
All children need to be registered online. Registrations will open in September 2023.
For more information, please contact Beatriz at SJC-Sacraments@gpcsd.ca or call 780-532-2351, ext. 228.