“Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.” (Lk 22:19-20)

The Eucharist is the sacrament of sacraments; also called Holy Communion or the Blessed Sacrament.

Our God who “spoke” the sun, moon, stars, birds, fishes, the earth, the whole cosmos into existence…can say “This is my body, this is my blood,” and the bread and wine become his true flesh and blood! He is God, he chooses to be present to us in his sacred word, his creation, his priests and ministers, his people – our brothers and sisters; but he ordained a most unique way to remain with us in his body, blood, soul, and divinity – the source and summit of our faith: the Eucharist! When he says, “If you eat my body, and drink my blood, you shall have eternal life,” we should take him at his word!

If you have not yet received your first Holy Communion, we’d like to help you prepare to receive Christ’s body and blood in the Eucharist. For more information please contact Beth Jesserer at 724.941.9406 Ext. 113 or by email bethj@john23.org.

If you’re not baptized in the Catholic faith, or simply want to learn more about the Catholic faith, then visit the RCIA page to learn more about how you can become a part of, or learn more about the universal Church.

Please note also that one need not be homebound for an extended period to request Communion in the home. A person may suffer an illness or injury, or perhaps be recovering from surgery, and is only temporarily unable to attend Mass (e.g., several consecutive weekends). Those who find themselves in such a situation should not hesitate to request Communion in the home. For more information on receiving Communion at home, please call Mary Spinabelli, 724.941.9406, ext. 109.

Children baptized as infants in the Roman Catholic Church are led to the holy table of the Lord when they reach the age of reason which is generally considered "around the age of seven." The earliest years of a young disciple's life "are nourished in the faith, hope, and love of the Christian family. The family, in turn, is rooted in and sustained by the parish community, a local embodiment of the whole People of God. The time of formation must be understood to include the whole period following the child's baptism" (Chapter IV, The Sacraments of Initiation Policies for the Diocese of Pittsburgh). Enrollment in our parish Faith Formation program must occur in grade one when suitable formation is begun to augment the formation that occurs within Christian family life. In the second year of formation, children are considered candidates for First Eucharist. Thus, sacramental preparation is a two year program.  In addition, it is the responsibility of parents to attend one parent session for each child who is engaged in preparation for the lifelong celebration of Holy Eucharist.