First Eucharist

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 2021

We write to provide updated advice in regard to the Sacrament of First Eucharist Parent Information Zoom Evening scheduled for Wednesday 14th July at 6.30pm. Due to the current COVID 19 situation, we are going to postpone the Parent Information Evening until further notice.  Further details will be advised once the current lockdown is resolved.  We appreciate your understanding and support in this decision.

  • Parent Information Evening: Postponed until further notice. 
  • Compulsory Workbook session/ Commitment Mass: Saturday, 24th July @ 4pm – 6pm
  • Compulsory Workbook session/ Commitment Mass: Saturday, 21st August @ 4 pm – 6pm

Due to the Mass time changes at Mary Immaculate Church, our Sunday Sacrament of Eucharist Celebration Mass will now be at 9.15am, not 10am.

  • Year 3 First Eucharist Serving of the Grandparents morning/ Training day: Friday, 27th August at school @9.30am – 12.30pm
  • 2021 Year 3 classes Sacrament of First Eucharist:
    • Yr 3B/ Parish students: Saturday 28th August from 4pm-6.30pm at Mary Immaculate Church
    • Yr 3M/ Parish students: Sunday 29th August from 8.15am-10.45am at Mary Immaculate Church
  • Year 4 First Eucharist Grandparents morning/ Training day: Thursday, 10th September at school @ 9.30am – 12.30pm
  • 2021 Year 4 classes Sacrament of First Eucharist:
    • Yr 4B/ Parish students: Saturday 11th September from 4pm-6.30pm at Mary Immaculate Church
    • Yr 4M/ Parish students: Sunday 12th September 8.15am-10.45am at Mary Immaculate Church

Due to COVID 19 this year we had to postpone all of our Sacramental Celebrations to 2021. Our Sacramental programmes have changed slightly to allow parents and students to work together to further develop their understanding of the Sacraments.

Enrolment

Download – First Eucharist Enrolment Form (click here)

Please hand in your completed Enrolment Form (and permission letter if required) to the St Charles’ front office and collect your Child’s Take-Home workbook.

These books will need to be completed as a family before your child makes their Sacrament of Eucharist.

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 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.

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.

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