A priest elevating a chalice during a christian religious ceremony while another clergy member reads from a book at the altar.

The Eucharist

"The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the church, namely Christ himself" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324).

First Eucharist for Children

Children prepare to receive the Eucharist through either parish religious education or the parish school. For children enrolled in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Eucharistic preparation is a 2-year process. Those who attend St. Mary Parish School will receive the First Reconciliation and First Communion in second grade.

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Order of Christian Initiation for Adults

Adults who are seeking initiation into the Catholic Church participate in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) (Formerly called Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults or RCIA). This includes:  

  • Any Adult Not Yet Baptized and Who Wishes to Become Catholic;
  • Any Adult Baptized in Another Christian Church Who Wishes to Become Catholic or.
  • Any Adult Baptized in the Catholic Church but Not Raised in the Faith and Who Seeks Complete Initiation (Confirmation and First Eucharist)

Formation for OCIA includes sessions that explore the Catholic faith, prayer, and community life in the parish. Sessions typically begin in the fall and meet until Easter. However, the journey to reception into the church is unique to each individual. For more information, contact the parish office.