Holy Eucharist
“And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you, do this in remembrance of me.’ And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.” (Luke 22:19-20)
In the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, when we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, we become united with Christ, our souls are nourished, we receive grace and our venial sins are forgiven. The Church teaches that Christ is present in the bread and wine that have been consecrated by the priest during Mass even though the bread and wine still look and taste like bread and wine.
The roots of the Eucharist are in the Jewish Passover meal commemorating Israel's delivery from oppression and slavery in Egypt. Jesus was celebrating the Jewish Passover at His last supper with the apostles when He blessed, broke and shared bread and wine with the apostles, declaring that the bread and wine were His Body and Blood. He promised He would truly be with them when they shared bread and wine together in His memory.
The Mass is the new Passover, with Jesus offering His own Body and Blood so that we, His present-day followers, might go free. For this reason, the Eucharist is not only a sacred meal, but also a link with Jesus' death. When we participate in the Mass together with our fellow believers and receive Him in the Eucharist, we take part in the Passover meal which He celebrates now, shedding His Blood so we may be saved.
Youth Communion:
For Parish youth, the required preparation takes place through the Religious Education program. For more information, please contact the Religious Education Office at 609-645-7313 ext. 121 or send an email to jean.wickham@skd-parish.org. First Communion for our parish youth (children in the second level usually) is celebrated each May.
Teen and Adult Communion:
For Parish teens and adults, the required preparation takes place through the Rite for Christian Initiation for Teens (RCIT). For more information, please contact the Parish Office at 609-645-7313 ext. 113 or send an email to millet.locasale@skd-parish.org.