The first lines of our Parish Prayer for Renewal lead us to the true meaning of the Eucharist, "Father, God of Love and Mercy, you have surrendered everything for love of us. May we learn to surrender everything for love of you."

‘Eucharist' means thanksgiving. It is the perfect word to reflect upon as we prepare ourselves to be in the presence of God and to approach the altar of the Lord with reverence, gratitude and awe. We are reminded that we are Sanctuary for the Lord.

"O Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary... pure and holy--tired and true. With thanksgiving, I'll be a living sanctuary for You."

Scrugs & Thompson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxB9VH3cCN4

The Eucharist is the sacred embodiment of God's eternal love for us, the gift of His Son, over and again in our lives...until we learn to love, to surrender everything for love of Him. The Holy Eucharist is both sacrifice and sacrament. As the bread and wine are transubstantiated through the blessings and grace of the Mass, they truly become the body and blood of our Lord.

If we open to this eternal promise, respond to the invitation of Jesus--the Eucharist heals us, feeds us, sustains and fills us at every imaginable level of body, soul and spirit.

"And while they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke; and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye and eat. This is my body. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: drink ye all of this. For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto the remission of sins." Matthew 26: 26-28

To receive First Communion, please register for Faith Formation classes here.
For more information, please contact Kathleen Kechnie at kathleen@saintstephencc.org.