Eucharist and First Communion

Sacramental preparation

Understandably it has been a very challenging time for all of us in the Parish (and for all of you too) and there were celebrations and milestones in the lives of our young parishioners that were missed.

The Parish along with the schools of Loreto Girls and St. Mary’s Boys are now beginning the process of planning and celebrating the Sacraments which were missed due to the pandemic.

First Holy Communion

We will begin First Holy Communion with the First Holy Communion classes of 2020 followed by the First Holy Communion classes of 2021, and we hope to do this over a series of dates beginning Spring 2022. More details will be provided at a later date.

Please be aware that all of our preparation for and celebration of the Sacraments will be subject to all relevant Government guidelines and restrictions.

Skip down to

• A great video course about First Communion
• Communion; Articles and Links
• Videos about Communion and the Eucharist
• Communion and the Eucharist – in depth.

(Or check out our Confession page.)

Parish First Communion Dates 2020

Loreto 2020

First Confession Saturday 14th September
11.00AM: Loreto Girls 1^st Group
12:30PM: Loreto Girls 2^nd Group
2.00PM: Loreto Girls 3^rd Group

First Communion Saturday 19th September
9:30AM: Loreto Girls 1^st Group
11:00AM: Loreto Girls 2^nd Group
12:30PM: Loreto Girls 3^rd Group
2.00PM: Loreto Girls 4^th Group
3:30PM: Loreto Girls 5^th Group

St Mary’s 2020

First Confession Saturday 22nd September
11:30AM: St Marys Boys 1^st Group
1:00PM: St Marys Boys 2^nd Group

First Communion Saturday 26th September
9:30AM: St Marys Boys 1^st Group
11:00AM: St Marys Boys 2^nd Group
12:30PM: St Marys Boys 3^rd Group
2.00PM: St Marys Boys 4^th Group

Grow in Love Programme

Our parish has been running the Grow in Love Programme for children who are preparing to make their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion successfully for the last number of years. Registration for the programme takes place in the parish schools; if your child is attending a school outside of the parish and you wish for your family to participate in the programme please contact a member of the Parish Team.

Information of the Grow in Love Programme

Eucharist like Baptism and Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation of the Catholic Church. Your child’s faith journey began the day you brought your child to the Church to be baptised. And what a special day that was for you and the family. Now, that child has grown, they are about to take another step in their faith journey, as they prepare for First Holy Communion. And we all have a part to play in this special year.

Home is the primary learning place, each parent/guardian will be asked to take on a special role over the next few months, to journey with their child as they prepare to receive the sacraments. Home is the domestic Church, where our children are influenced by what they see and learn.

School through the Alive-O programme teachers prepare the children for their special day and continue to nourish the faith children are experiencing at home.

Parish runs the Grow in Love Programme a parish-based pre-sacramental programme designed to help children, parents and the parish community prepare for First Eucharist.

The Grow in Love Programme centred in the parish celebration of the Sunday Eucharist and in the home. The programme resources are designed to facilitate parents, families and the parishes’ active involvement in the preparation for the sacrament. It complements and supports the work of sacramental preparation in the parish school or the religious education programme in the parish. The programme takes place once a month for eight months before First Eucharist (Holy Communion Day) and concludes during the parish celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi. All children and parents participate in the programme and are encouraged to attend the Sunday 10.45am Family Mass when there is no Grow in Love Programme that weekend. Parents also attend three meetings during the year and parent coordinators of the programme meet every Monday before the Grow in Love  weekend programme. Please see Event Calendar for dates and time of coordinators meetings.

Tell me more

Information on Sacrament of Eucharist

Holy Eucharist is the sacrament which Jesus gives his Body and Blood – himself – for us, so that we too might give ourselves to him in love and be united with him in Holy Communion. In this way we are joined with the one Body of Christ, the Church. After Baptism and Confirmation, the Eucharist is the third sacrament ofInitiation of the Catholic Church. The Eucharist is the mysterious centre of all these sacraments, because the historic sacrifice of Jesus on thecross is made present during the words of consecration. Thus the celebration of the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” (Second Vatican Council, LumenGentium [LG], 11)

What is Holy Eucharist?
Holy Eucharist is the sacrament in which Jesus gives his Body and Blood – himself – for us, so that we too might give ourselves to him in love and be united with him in Holy Communion. In this way we are joined with the one Body of Christ, the Church. After Baptism and Confirmation, the Eucharist is the third sacrament of Initiation of the Catholic Church. The Eucharist is the mysterious centre of all these sacraments, because the historic sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is made present during the words of consecration. Thus the celebration of the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” (Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium [LG], 11)

When did Jesus institute the Eucharist?
Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist on the evening of his death, “on the night when he was to betrayed” (1Cor 11:23), when he gathered the Apostles around him in the upper room in Jerusalem and celebrated the Last Supper with them.

How did Christ institute the Eucharist?
At the Last Supper Jesus took bread in his hands, gave a prayer of thanks and broke the bread he gave it to his disciples saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” He did the same with the cup after supper, and said “This cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you.” (Lk 22: 19-21)

How important is the Eucharist in the Church?
The celebration of the Eucharist is the heart of the Christian communion. In it the church becomes Church. We are not church because we get along well, or because we happen to end up in the same parish community, but rather because in the Eucharist we receive the Body of Christ are increasingly transformed into the Body of Christ.

“In the Holy Eucharist we become one with God like food with the body.”
St Francis De Sales (1567-1622)

What are the names for this Sacrament?
The different names indicate the unfathomable richness of this mystery: the Holy Sacrifice, Holy Mass, The sacrifice of the Mass, the Lord’s Supper, the Breaking of Bread, the Eucharistic assembly, the memorial of the Lord’s Passion, death and Resurrection, the Holy and Divine Liturgy, the Sacred Mysteries, Holy Communion.

How is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist carried out?
The celebration of the Eucharist (Holy Mass) unfolds in two great parts which together form one, single act of worship. The Liturgy of the Word involves proclaiming and listening to the Word of God. The Liturgy of the Eucharist includes the presentation of the bread and wine, the prayer of consecration, and distribution of Communion to the faithful.

How does Holy Communion change me?
Every Holy Communion unites us more deeply with Christ, makes us a living member of the Body of Christ, renews the graces we received in Baptism and Confirmation and fortifies us for the battle against sin.

“Our sharing in the Body of Christ has no other purpose than to transform us into that which we receive.”
Pope St. Leo the Great (ca.400-461)

In what ways is the Holy Eucharist an anticipation of eternal life?
Jesus promised his disciples and us with them, that we will one day sit at table with him. Therefore every Holy Mass is a “memorial of the blessed passion” (Eucharistic Prayer I), the fullness of grace, and a pledge of future glory.

For more information on the Eucharist or any of the sacraments go to www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM