First Eucharist (Holy Communion)

The Sacraments are a wonderful gift to us from God inviting us into deeper intimacy with Him. So that children can gain the full benefit of the experience, the preparation is vitally important. Unlike Baptism and Confirmation, Eucharist is a sacrament that can be received as often as one wants, and strengthens us with grace each time it is received.

The celebration of the Eucharist is the centre of the entire Christian life, in which Jesus Christ is offered and received, and by which the Church constantly lives and grows. It is the summit and the source of all Christian worship and life, signifying and effecting the unity of the people of God, providing spiritual nourishment, and achieving the building up of the Body of Christ. (Canon 897)

People normally receive their Sacraments in the Parish they regularly attend (and closest to their residence). Requests may be made to complete their sacraments at Mary Immaculate Church for those who do not live within the Waverley Parish, however this does requires permission from their local Parish. Your child cannot complete the Sacrament of First Eucharist without permission from your local Parish.

Prerequisites:

Candidates are in Year 3 or above at school.
Attend Mary Immaculate Church on a regular basis.
Candidates have been baptised and celebrated their First Reconciliation. A copy of Baptism Certificate & Reconciliation provided with enrolment form if not completed at St Charles Borromeo Parish.
Attendance at the Information Night and Rehearsal session by the Candidate and at least one parent/carer is mandatory. Attendance by both parents encouraged.

Key dates for 2022

Parent Information Evening: Wednesday 27th July, 6.30pm at Mary Immaculate Parish Hall

Commitment Mass: Saturday 30th July, 5pm at Mary Immaculate Church

Year 3 First Eucharist Serving of the Grandparents morning/ Training day: Friday the 9th September @ 9.30am- 12.30pm at the School Hall and Mary Immaculate Church Waverley

Sacrament of First Eucharist:
3B: Saturday 10th September @ 4pm-6.30pm at Mary Immaculate Church
3M: Sunday 11th September @ 1pm-3.30pm at Mary Immaculate Church

Enrolment

Enrolment opens in 2022 in late June.

A copy of the child’s Baptism certificate is required as well as the permission of both parents.
If you do not attend Mary Immaculate Church on a regular basis or you attend another Parish, you will need to contact the Parish Office. Permission from your local Parish Priest is required with enrolment.

The cost per child is $30 per candidate and is payable at the time of enrolment to the St Charles’ front office and collect your child’s take-home workbook. No child will ever be denied the opportunity to receive the Sacraments due to financial limitations. Families in difficult financial circumstances should contact the parish office to discuss their situation confidentially.

First Eucharist Parent Information Night

Children who attend St Charles Primary School will be prepared for their First Eucharist by their school. Parents & Candidates are introduced to the Sacrament and are briefed on working together through the resource material provided. All other candidates not attending St Charles Primary School will be running through their books after the Commitment Mass and to answer any questions you may have.

If your child has extracurricular activities on the days for the preparation classes, please be sure to give the various coaches/instructors notice well ahead of time that your child will be attending the Sacrament Preparation classes on those days. If you have an unavoidable commitment, please contact the Sacraments coordinator so that alternative instruction can be arranged.

First Eucharist Ceremony

The First Eucharist Ceremony Mass takes approximately 1 hour and is followed by a group photograph with the priest. This Mass is a special celebration for the candidates and their families to share in. All are welcome.

Children are not required to buy special outfits for the Sacrament, however they are required to dress appropriately. A general guide is how they would dress to attend a special occasion. Boys should wear long trousers and a shirt with a collar, no jeans, cargo pants or joggers. Girls should wear a dress, knee length or longer, and no midriffs or bare shoulders.

Please contact the Parish Secretary on (02) 9369 9399 or office@waverleycatholic.org.au if you need any further information.