We Are One Body Reflection Series

First Holy Communion

For the past three weekends we have had the joy of sharing in the celebration of 81 of our boys and girls coming to the table of the Lord's Supper for the first time.  We hope that this is a day that helps them begin their spiritual journey in an even more personal way.  Each time that we receive the Eucharist, Jesus gives us His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity to nourish us on our journey of life.  This spiritual food gives us the power to love.

Today in the Gospel of John, we hear Jesus tell his disciples that He is going to send them an Advocate to be with them. This Holy Spirit that Jesus promises is given to each of us so that we can follow Jesus’ command to love one another. Loving people sounds easy, but can be challenging to actually do. We are called to love those that hurt us or are indifferent to us. We are called to love even when it is not convenient or profitable to us. We are called to love and live out God's love each day.  That is tough stuff!!! Jesus never promises that it will be easy, but He does promise that He is there with us through it all.  He gives us not just a promise, but also the sustenance, His own Body and Blood to go through the twists and turns in life.  God also gives us the Holy Spirit to direct us and to give us the graces and gifts that we need to love as He loves us.

As we watch these young people, filled with joy and excitement for their First Holy Communion, we welcome them to the table of the Lord’s Supper.  They have heard the voice of Jesus calling them to this table so that His Body and Blood can nourish them. Let us continue to pray for them that they may always follow Jesus’ example of love.

The WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE

Here at St. Mary's, we have so many wonderful reasons to be joyful as we celebrate the reception of First Holy Communion with 82 of our young people. For these three weekends in May, we will share in the celebration of these boys and girls coming to the table of the Lord's Supper for the first time to receive Jesus' Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.  

Today in the Gospel of John, we hear Jesus tell his disciples that He is going to prepare a place for them. Thomas asks Jesus:

"Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life.

Many times in our lives, we may be lost or unsure of what is best for us.  Sometimes, we put a lot of effort and time into things that drain the joy and love from our lives.  Jesus reminds each of us in this Gospel that:

He is the Way, when we are lost, 

He is the Truth, when we are unsure of what is right,

He is the Life, the joy and peace that God has for each of us.

Jesus never promises that it will be easy, but He does promise that He is there with us through it all.  He gives us not just a promise, but also the food for this journey, His own Body and Blood to go through the twists and turns in life.

As we watch these young people, filled with joy and excitement for their First Holy Communion, we welcome them to the table of the Lord’s Supper.  They have heard the voice of Jesus, the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE calling them to this table so that they can be nourished by His Body and Blood. Let us pray for them and their families, that they may always follow Jesus.

1st Holy Communion Parent Meeting

On Monday, February 8, 2016 at 7pm in the church, we will have a meeting for all parents who have a child receiving First Holy Communion this spring.  We ask that at least one parent/guardian attend this meeting during which we will go over the preparation and details of the First Communion program.

During the meeting you will also receive the First Communion preparation book, which you will complete at home with your child prior to their First Communion rehearsal. This book is similar to the one that was used during the preparation for First Penance. It contains six chapters that you and your child should work on and complete together.

Important Note: We needed to change the date of the First Communion Retreat. It was originally scheduled for Saturday, February 28.  It will now be Saturday, March 19 from 10am-12 Noon.

If for any reason, you are unable to attend the meeting, please notify Anthony Armando or Kristen Gawlik by email or phone to arrange a time to pick up the information and the First Communion Book.

First Penance Parent Meeting

Important Dates for First Reconciliation

Parent Meeting – Monday, September 29^th at 7pm in St. Mary’s Church

We ask that at least one parent attend this meeting. We will be discussing the details of both sacraments and the date your child will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. The Reconciliation preparation books will also be distributed.

Parent and Student Preparation Class: Sunday, November 23 at 9:00am

                                                                   Tuesday, December 2 at 3:45pm

Celebration of First Reconciliation - Saturday, December 6 at 11am

If you have not yet handed in the registration form for the 1st Penance/1st Communion Program, please click on the link below to download the form and bring it with you to the meeting tonight.

1st Penance/1st Holy Communion Registration Form