Sacrament of First Holy Communion
The Holy Eucharist is described as “the source and summit of the Christian life.” This is because it is at the very centre of the practice of the Catholic faith.
This sacrament is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation into the Church, which are necessary for people to become full members of the Church. The other two Sacraments of Initiation are the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.
In year 3 children are prepared for both the sacrament of Reconciliation and for the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Children will be taught about their relationship with God, with the Church and with the wider faith community
Once the children in Year 3 have made the Sacrament of Reconciliation, they receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. This takes place in the Summer term. The children work very hard at home, in school and in the parish to ensure that they are fully prepared to receive Jesus into their hearts.
In receiving Holy Communion we are united with Christ in a physical way and we enter more fully in to the Body of Christ. The more we receive Christ the more Christ-like we become.
Children are invited to participate in a Mass of enrolment along with their friends in Year 6 to make a commitment before God that they and their families will take on the responsibilities placed before them.
During Religious Education lessons in school, the children study the Last Supper when Jesus shared his last meal with the disciples. They look in particular at the breaking of the bread and how this is similar to the celebration of the Mass. By examining the words of Jesus at the Last Supper and the priest at Mass, they learn to appreciate that we are present with Jesus every time we go to Mass.
The children study all of the parts of the Mass in detail over the year but focus particularly on the Liturgy of the Eucharist leading up to the celebration of First Holy Communion. By exploring each of the parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in detail, the children learn that the Mass is a celebration of thanksgiving and that during the Eucharistic prayer, the priest asks the Holy Spirit to change the gifts of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus.
Alongside their lessons in school, the children are expected to attend Mass with their families each week and pray at home as a family. The children are encouraged to read Bible stories together and discuss their Religious Education lessons. The children are given various tasks to complete at home linked to their First Holy Communion.
Year 3 Sacramental Preparation Meeting Dates:
The content of the short course is outlined as below:
- The Power of Prayer. What is prayer? Does prayer make a difference? How to pray.
- The Holy Spirit and the Church. How the Holy Spirit can change your life.
- Forgiveness, Healing and Mission. Forgiveness and the Sacrament of Confession.
- The Holy Eucharist. The meaning of the Mass. The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Session dates:
Wednesday 8th February, Wednesday 15th February, Wednesday 1st March and Wednesday 8th March 5-6pm
Sacrament of First Holy Communion Mass - Friday 9th June, 7pm at St Gregory’s Catholic Church, Longton
