The Source, Center & Summit of Our Faith

This is a big-ee. It always has been. We read in John 6, about how some of Jesus' followers left him over this teaching. But he didn't stop them or try to backtrack or say it was just a symbol. Jesus asked the apostles, as He asks us: Will you abandon Me because this teaching seems too hard?

We believe that when the hosts (small, round pieces of bread) and wine are consecrated by the priest, they become - as Jesus promised - His body and blood. They look and taste like bread and wine but are - by the power of the Holy Spirit - the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ.

When we partake of the Eucharist, we invite Christ to spiritually and literally become part of us, that we might increasingly become more like Him.

The scripture and theology on this sacrament are awe-inspiring and humbling. Please take some time to learn more from the resources below.

“Why did Our Blessed Lord use bread and wine as the elements of this Memorial? First of all, because no two substances in nature better symbolize unity than bread and wine. As bread is made from a multiplicity of grains of wheat, and wine is made from a multiplicity of grapes, so the many who believe are one in Christ. 

Second, no two substances in nature have to suffer more to become what they are than bread and wine. Wheat has to pass through the rigors of winter, be ground beneath the Calvary of a mill, and then subjected to purging fire before it can become bread. Grapes in their turn must be subjected to the Gethsemane of a wine press and have their life crushed from them to become wine. Thus, do they symbolize the Passion and Sufferings of Christ, and the condition of Salvation, for Our Lord said unless we die to ourselves we cannot live in Him.

A third reason is that there are no two substances in nature which have more traditionally nourished man than bread and wine. In bringing these elements to the altar, men are equivalently bringing themselves. When bread and wine are taken or consumed, they are changed into man's body and blood. But when He took bread and wine, He changed them into Himself.” (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen)

To Learn More...

• Catechism of the Catholic Church, beginning with Paragraph 1322.
• Life on the Vine: The Eucharist of John
• The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth
• This Is My Body: Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist
• If you have a specific question, try doing a search on Catholic Answers, Catholics United for Faith, or EWTN.

Baptism

Eucharist

Confirmation

Reconciliation

Anointing of the Sick

Matrimony

Holy Orders

"...for my flesh 

is true food

and my blood

is true drink..."

When many of his disciples heard it,

they said,

“This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?”

But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it,

said to them,

“Does this offend you?"

John 66: 55, 60

The Holy Eucharist is available at our weekday Communion Services (M-F, 6:15 AM).

It is, of course, part of our celebration of the Mass as well:

• Mon & Tues: 8 AM
• Thurs & Fri: 8 AM at St. Vivian
• Sat. Vigil: 4:30 PM at St. Vivian
• Saturday Vigil: 5 PM
• Sunday: 9:30 AM at St. Vivian
• Sunday: 11:15 AM

Parents whose children are entering second grade (or higher) can contact Amy Staubach for information about our First Communion preparation program.

Learn about: 

• Eucharistic Adoration

• Communion for the Homebound