The Eucharist is the sacrament of the Church in which we receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ our Savior. As Catholics, we believe we are receiving Christ's actual flesh and blood, not a symbolic representation of them in the form of bread and wine. The biblical basis for this is found in  John 6:48 - 58.

In what is called the Bread of Life discourse, Jesus tells us that we must truly eat his body and drink his blood in order to receive eternal life. During the Consecration at Mass, our priest re-presents Jesus' act at the Last Supper of giving his Apostles his own body and blood. Thus, by the power of the priesthood, Christ is made present on the altar and freely gives himself to those in a state of grace.

The Eucharist is given during Communion of every Mass. Please refer to the Mass schedule for information about when you can receive the Eucharist.

First Communion

Notre Dame parishioners receive First Communion around the time they are in second grade.

• If the child is in public school, they are prepared in the CCD program at Notre Dame.
• If the child goes to Catholic school, their school class prepares together.
• Children who are homeschooled are given preparation by their parents, who sometimes complement their formation with CCD.

Contact religioused [at] thechurchofnotredame [dot] org (Dori Loomis) to find out more about First Communion Preparation.