The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.
At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us. -Catechism of the Catholic Church 1322 & 1323
Preparing Youth for First Eucharist
According to Diocesan policies, students in Grade 2 are in the preparation stage for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, and this preparation happens through our Catholic school and through our Faith Formation Program. Parent meetings are held throughout the year, and the parent(s) are very involved in the preparation of their child(ren) for this sacrament.
The catechist - through religious education classes, and the Grade 2 Cathedral School teacher(s) - through regular classroom instruction, each give an in-depth presentation on all aspects of doctrine and faith for this age level. First Holy Communion takes place shortly after Easter.