Sacrament of the Eucharist

The Lord Jesus, on the night before he suffered on the cross, shared one last meal with his disciples. During this meal our Savior instituted the sacrament of his Body and Blood. He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the ages and to entrust to the Church his Spouse a memorial of his death and resurrection.

As the Gospel of Matthew tells us:
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." (Mt 26:26-28; cf. Mk 14:22-24,
Lk 22:17-20, 1 Cor 11:23-25).

“Christians come together in one place for the Eucharistic assembly. . . . All have their own active parts to play in the celebration, each in his own way: readers, those who bring up the offerings, those who give communion, and the whole people whose “Amen” manifests their participation” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1348).
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The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” “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.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324).

In The Story of a Soul, St. Therese of Lisieux describes her First Communion by saying that she and Jesus had been “gazing” at each other for a long time, and it was a deep joy to finally be one, in the Eucharist.

For more information on the Eucharist, please click here.

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fIRST cOMMUNION pROCESS

CATECHISIS:
Parishes conduct their own First Communion preparation programs for Children. Preparation typically involves Catechesis through Religious Education classes.

PENANCE & RECONCILIATON:
When receiving the Sacrament of First Communion, one must be free from the bondage of sin, especially mortal sin. Unless one is receiving First Communion immediately following Baptism, participating in sacramental confession is a necessary part of First Communion Preparation (Canon 914). Besides being necessary, it is a wonderful practice to experience regularly, in order to make that tangible reality of God's forgiveness a regular part of our lives! Parishes should make sure that those who are baptized at a later age are given opportunities to begin the practice of Confession.

First Communion Contact Information

Children 7 years old - 8th grade
Minister of Religious Education
Nancy Gomez
Phone: 209-320-5714
religioused@presentationchurch.net
Link to Religious Education (K-8) - Elementary


High School
Minister of Religious Education
Nancy Gomez
Phone: 209-320-5714
religioused@presentationchurch.net
Link to RCIA - Youth/Young Adult


Post High School/Adults
Minister of Adult Formation
Deacon Scott A. Johnson
Phone: 209-320-5713
Phone (Direct): 916-712-0499
deaconscott@comacast.net
Link to RCIA - Adult

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