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This weekend, children attending our school and those attending the Sunday Religious Education program celebrated first communion. Next Saturday, children attending Wednesdays Hispanic Religious Education program will receive their primera comunión. The children show great joy dressed in new communion attire and equally great reverence as they process with their hands folded in a prayerful way, ready to receive their first communion. These children teach us to reverence the Eucharist. So this article is dedicated to all the children receiving first communion and will talk about the reverence due to the Holy Eucharist. Sadly, in our churches there is a worrisome decline in reverence. The matter is of great importance because of the central place of the Eucharistic Ministry in Catholic faith and life. Reverence is that virtue which inclines a person to show honor and respect primarily to God. So when receiving communion, we do so with reverence to God, in the person of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Perhaps some Catholics lack due reverence for the Holy Eucharist because their Eucharistic faith is poor and full of defects and doubts. I encourage those still seeking to learn about the Eucharist to enroll in our adult faith formation classes that take place on Sunday mornings in the school library. The Church encourages all Catholics to show reverence in all matters regarding the Eucharistic celebration, or the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I know that Fr. Mair and Fr. Steve celebrate mass with great reverence and I too strive to reverence the Holy Mass. It is also important that everyone show reverence during mass. This begins by coming early so that everyone is centered in prayerfulness when the mass begins, in singing, standing or sitting together and in maintaining moments of silent prayer. It is sad to see people coming late, reading the bulletin or texting during Mass, conversing freely inside the church and even leaving as soon as they receive communion. And sometimes we find used gum in the hymnals and under the pews. It is important that we dispose ourselves in a manner ready to receive Holy Communion. So please, if we show outward signs of respect for the Eucharist, we will be living our faith. Also, any Catholic who is unfortunately in the state of mortal sin is bound to go to confession and receive absolution before approaching the Eucharistic table. In fact, on the last page of the missalette guidelines are given for procedures to receive communion including those who are not Catholic attending mass. If someone comes to receive communion with hands in pockets or while chewing gum, it all shows irreverence toward communion. As mentioned, it is imperative that no one take the Holy Communion into the pew or outside the church. We have a designated extraordinary minister of communion who takes communion to those unable to come forward in the communion line. Please let the ushers know at the beginning of the mass and the minister will come to give you communion. It is important also to say personal prayers before and after communion. At the back of the missalette youll find a variety of prayers for this purpose. Another way we show reverence to the Eucharist is through Eucharistic Adoration. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that, "The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist" (CCC 1377). Our 24-hour adoration chapel offers an opportunity to adore Christ in the Most Holy Blessed Sacrament. Those who frequent the chapel speak of how inner peace fills their hearts and a sense of transformation occurs. So as the children make their first communion, may they be the best catechists for each of us, teaching us how to revere the Eucharist. I also write to the parents of these children. Please do not let the first communion be their last communion. Allow your children to frequent the Eucharist for they have worked hard to prepare for it. May God bless you and your family. Fr. Maina To Teach Who Christ Is Total goal: $2,000,000 While we are experiencing success, there is much more to do. By now you should have received a pledge card through mail. Perhaps a volunteer has spoken to you; if not, one will speak to you in the coming days. We ask that you consider making a sacrificial gift, fill out your pledge card and bring it to mass next weekend--the leadership weekend. You will be able to submit your pledge card during the collection. Thank you for your continued generosity to the parish.
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