Holy Communion (Eucharist)

Holy Communion, or the Eucharist, is the most central sacrament of the Catholic Church. “Do this in remembrance of me,” Jesus asked his apostles at the Last Supper, the evening before he was crucified. Every Sunday – the Lord's Day – Catholic Christians gather in church to remember the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the sacrament of the Eucharist, Jesus gives himself to us. By eating the Body of Christ (the consecrated bread), we are joined more closely to the Body of Christ (the Church). This is why the Catholic Church still does not practise intercommunion or an open Communion table for Christians who are not Catholic. Those preparing to become Catholics, and others who are not Catholic, may come forward to the altar with everyone else at Communion. They place their right hand on their left shoulder to show that they wish to receive a blessing.

Mass intentions

Catholic Christians can also ask the priest to offer Holy Mass for a particular need, such as illness or the anniversary of a family member's death. If you wish, you may put an offering (a Mass stipend) in an envelope and give it to the priest before Mass. Remember to write the name of the person to be prayed for on the envelope.