EUCHARIST

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As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. Parishioners and visitors to St. Paul are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. The Eucharist is offered at all St. Paul Masses.

If you, or someone in your family is ill, Holy Communion can be delivered to your home by one of the St. Paul Ministers to the Ill.

Learn more:
Communion for the ill
First Communion for children
First Communion for adults and teens over 14

Communion for the Ill

If you or a family member are ill or otherwise homebound and cannot attend Mass to receive communion, please call the rectory at 916-381-5200 to arrange for one of our Ministers to the Ill to bring the Eucharist to your home.

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First Communion for Children

Children are prepared for confirmation during the course of their Catholic Faith Formation (CFF) classes. Learn more about CFF.

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First Communion for Teens and Adults

Teens over 14 and adults who have been baptized but have not received First Holy Communion are encouraged to prepare for this Sacrament through St. Paul RCIA. Learn more about RCIA. To register or learn more call David Zarka (adults) or Ray & Imelda Nanca (teens) at 916-381-5200.

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The Sacrament of the Eucharist in the Catholic Church

Jesus said: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; ...he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and ... abides in me, and I in him" (John 6:51, 54, 56).

One of the seven Sacraments of the Church, indeed the greatest of the Sacraments, described by the Church in this way:

"The Most Holy Eucharist is the most august sacrament, in which Christ the Lord himself is contained, offered and received, and by which the Church constantly lives and grows. The Eucharistic Sacrifice, the memorial of the death and resurrection of the Lord, in which the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated over the centuries, is the summit and the source of all Christian worship and life; it signifies and effects the unity of the people of God and achieves the building up of the Body of Christ. The other sacraments and all the ecclesiastical works of the apostolate are closely related to the Holy Eucharist and are directed to it." -- Canon Law 897.

Although the Eucharist is one Sacrament, there are three essential aspects to which the Church points: (1) sacrifice; (2) communion; (3) Real Presence of Christ.

The Church calls the faithful to respond in faith to these three aspects of the Eucharist:

"The faithful are to hold the Eucharist in highest honor, taking part in the celebration of the Most August Sacrifice, receiving the sacrament devoutly and frequently, and worshiping it with supreme adoration...." -- Canon Law 898.

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This page last updated on Thursday, December 01, 2011

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