You are hereSacraments / Eucharist
Eucharist
In every Mass, Christ is present under the form of bread and wine as well as present in each of us. In every Mass, his death becomes a present reality, offered as our sacrifice to God in an un-bloody and sacramental manner. At Mass we offer Christ, our passover sacrifice, to God, and we offer ourselves along with him. We then receive the risen Lord, our bread of life, in Holy Communion. In doing so, we enter into the very core of the paschal mystery of our salvation, the death and resurrection of Christ.
First Eucharist for Children
Children’s preparation for the first reception of Eucharist begins in the home. It is the family that plays the most important role in communicating the Christian and human values that form the foundation for a child’s understanding of the Eucharist. It is absolutely essential that parents bring their children to weekly Mass, to experience the Eucharistic mystery in an initial way so they can gradually learn to join with their community of faith in prayer.
Because it is the parents’ right and responsibility to be involved in preparing their children for First Communion, they must be exposed to the catechesis that is offered so that they too, can grow in their understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist and more effectively share in the catechesis of their children.
Our formation process at The Catholic Community of St. Matthias takes place within the parish community. The curriculum includes approximately ten catechetical/formation sessions – five for First Penance and five for First Eucharist. These sessions are scheduled on Sunday mornings throughout the year beginning in October. There is also a First Eucharist Retreat Day on a Saturday in the spring. Attendance for all sessions is mandatory and each child must be accompanied by at least one parent. Some time prior to First Communion there is also a scheduled interview with Father Doug, both parents and the child must be present.
Children will celebrate First Reconciliation on a Saturday morning in January or early February. First Communions are celebrated at specific Sunday morning masses over a period of 4-5 weeks within the Easter season. The families choose the dates and the Mass most convenient for them. All of the First Communicants and their families, as a group, celebrate Eucharist on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ usually at the noon Mass.
All families that desire their children to receive First Reconciliation and First Eucharist must complete a registration form that is available below.
Format for Catechesis for Children’s First Reception of the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation
It is the responsibility of the parents, the catechetical leader and the pastor to determine when children are ready to receive First Penance. Readiness for reception of this sacrament includes knowledge of the person of Jesus Christ and the Gospel message of forgiveness, knowledge of sin and its effect and understanding and experience of sorrow, forgiveness and conversion. [NDC,p. 135]
According to the directives of the Diocese of Metuchen, children must receive the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation for the first time prior to their first reception of the Eucharist.
Since the celebration of First Confession precedes First Communion, catechesis for this sacrament precedes the catechesis for First Communion and must be kept distinct so that the specific identity of each sacrament is apparent.
We respect the children’s natural disposition, ability, age and circumstances in our catechesis for the Sacrament of penance. Since the family is intimately involved in the formation of a child’s moral conscience and ordinarily integrates the child into the wider ecclesial community, parents should be involved in the preparation of their children for this sacrament. [NDC, p. 135]
According to the directives of the Diocese of Metuchen, children must receive the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation for the first time prior to their first reception of the Eucharist.
Since the celebration of First Confession precedes First Communion, catechesis for this sacrament precedes the catechesis for First Communion and must be kept distinct so that the specific identity of each sacrament is apparent.
Please see calendar below.
First Eucharist for Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is an opportunity for instruction and spiritual transformation for any adult seeking a deeper understanding of the Catholic tradition or full incorporation into the Catholic Church. Are you interested in becoming a Catholic or completing the Sacraments of Initiation -- Baptism/Confirmation/Eucharist? The RCIA group meets weekly. Please call the parish office 732-828-1400.
