The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life because it is the true presence of Jesus Christ – body, blood, soul, and divinity – veiled under the appearances of bread and wine.

It is the source in that the Eucharist is the beginning of our spiritual lives. It provides spiritual nourishment for Catholics, sustaining us as we live out our faith. It is the summit in that it is the highest point of worship and intimacy with God that we can experience here on earth. It embodies the fulfillment of our faith and brings into a closer intimacy with Christ and his Church. During the celebration of the Eucharist, the sacrifice of Christ is made present to us. In the Gospel of Matthew 26:26-28, Jesus says, “This is my body” and “This is my blood.” 

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. . . . Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” (Jn 6:53-57)

The term “Eucharist” originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving. We celebrate the beauty and mystery of the Eucharist allowing us to enter into the passion of Christ on the cross. Receiving the Eucharist allows Catholics to partake in a physical and spiritual communion with Christ. It transforms us and helps us to grow in holiness. 

The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. (CCC 1322)

At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us. (CCC 1323)

“The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” (CCC 1324)

Watch: The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist (Aquinas 101)

First Communion classes are given to children who reach the age of reason. Contact Parish Office to sign up. 

Those who are baptized Catholic, above the age of reason, and are in a state of grace (free from mortal sin) are welcome to receive the Eucharist. As we believe it is the real presence of Christ, we observe a Eucharistic fast where we refrain from food and drink, except water, for at least one hour before reception.