Eucharist (Holy Communion)
“Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.”
Luke 22:19-20
The sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is the heart and summit of the Church’s life. The Eucharist is the source of community within the Church. The essential signs of the sacrament are wheat bread and grape wine, on which the blessing of the Holy Spirit is invoked during the Sacrifice of the Mass.
The bread and wine through Transubstantiation become the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.
We receive the Real Presence of Jesus when we receive Holy Communion.
Our soul is nourished, helping us to become like Christ.
Receiving Holy Communion with others during the Sacrifice of the Mass brings unity of the Church, the Body of Christ.
At St. Patrick’s, there are two programmes of preparation for the sacrament of the Eucharist depending on the age of the person receiving first communion:
First Communion for Children
At St. Patrick’s, parents who wish to have a child receive First Communion need to enrol their child in the Children’s Sacramental programme (8-12 years old). It is policy in the Auckland diocese that a child must have received both First Reconciliation and Confirmation before preparing for First Communion. The Children’s Sacramental Programme prepares children with Catholic baptism for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion). the programme is held in Terms I and II of the primary schools’ acameic year, with a break for the school holidays. The Sacramenta of Reconciliation is celebrated during Lent. The Sacraments of Confirmatino and First Holy Eucharist are received at the end of Term II. Keep an eye out for the notices concerning the sacramental programmes in the Sunday parish newsletter in Advent and Lent when enrolments will be available.
Cathedral Office for further information.
First Communion for Adults
The RCIA programme is a wonderful series of steps that can lead an adult to participation in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Communion (Eucharist). For adults in the RCIA, these three might be celebrated together at Easter.
Click here for information regarding the RCIA programme
Mass Times
The main celebration of the Eucharist, Holy Mass, takes place every day of the week. From Monday to Friday, Mass is celebrated at 7am and 12.15pm. On Saturdays and public holidays, Mass is at 8am. On Sunday, the day of the Lord’s Resurrection, Mass is celebrated at 8am, 11am, 4.30pm and 7pm. There is a children’s liturgy at the 8am, 11am and 4.30pm Masses.
