Holy Eucharist is also one of the three sacraments comprising the Sacraments of Initiation into the Catholic Church.  To understand the unity, you can think about these three sacraments in terms of the Holy Trinity, three Divine Persons in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Each of the Sacraments of Initiation reveal one of the three Persons of the Holy Trinity.

Holy Eucharist is the sacrament in which God the Son is revealed.  It is also one of the sacraments, that once received, is practiced as part of everyday Catholic life, receiving God the Son in the Holy Eucharist: the body, blood, soul, and divinity of the Incarnate Jesus Christ that serves as our food for eternal life.  

Following Baptism, this sacrement is usually first received as one's First Holy Communion at around seven years of age (enrolled in Grade 2) in combination with completing their First Reconciliation and Penance. Once initiated, the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation are sacraments that a person continues to seek and receive throughout one's life.  

Children begin their faith formation early in life and within the family, with their parents/guardians as the primary educators and mentors.  At. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, formal, community-based education begins within our Parish School of Religion with entry into Kindergarten.  Continued preparation with parents/guardians at home, and through regular engagement in our Parish School of Religion and Church community our children develop a solid foundation during Grade 2 for the preparation and initial receipt of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist (i.e., First Confession and First Communion).  Details about initial preparation for and receipt of this Sacrament can be found in the section for the Parish School of Religion.  

A regular practice of receiving the Holy Eucharist and Reconcilitation (confession and penance) throughout one's life are closely linked together. That is, Reconciliation cleanses us of sin and restores God's divine life within our soul, so that we may be in a proper state of grace to receive the Holy Eucharist.   

Interested adults may also feel called to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist and assist our Priest during mass and/or through taking the Holy Eucharist to parishioners who are homebound through home visitation.  For more details, click the link in this paragraph.