The Sacrament of Eucharist, also known as "Holy Communion", like Baptism and Confirmation, brings us into the fullness of our life in Christ; it is the third of the Sacraments of Initiation.  As Catholics we are required to receive Communion at least once per year (our Easter Duty), and the Church urges us to receive Communion frequently (even daily, if possible).

In Holy Communion, we are eating the True Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, without which "you shall not have life in you" (John 6:53).  Because of the intimate connection of the Sacrament of Holy Communion to our life in Christ, we must be free of any grave or mortal sin before receiving it, as St. Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29. Otherwise, as he warns, we receive the Sacrament unworthily, and we "eateth and drinketh damnation" to ourselves.

Visitation Ministry, or Pastoral Care
If you or a loved one are in the hospital, homebound, or living in a care home and unable to attend Mass in person, and would like to receive Holy Communion on a regular (weekly) basis, please see the section "Visitation Ministry".

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost; from this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:

• it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15);
• it unites us more firmly to Christ;
• it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
• it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
• it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.

In the Diocese of Victoria, children are prepared to receive their First Eucharist and Confirmation- the Sacraments of Initiation- as well as to experience their first Sacrament of Reconciliation, beginning around age 7 (Grade Two) in a two-year program.  After successful completion of Year 1, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated; if the child has not yet been baptized, this will take place sometime prior. 

After successful completion of Year 2, the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation are celebrated.  It is the usual practice that Confirmation is conferred by the Bishop, and that each child has one adult sponsor who is not their parent.  The sponsor will need to produce proof of Catholic baptism, and/or attest that they have completed their own Sacraments of Initiation and are committed to practicing the Catholic faith, but does not need to be the same as the child's godparent(s).

All parents wishing their child(ren) to participate in Sacramental Preparation must be registered parishioners, and are expected to regularly attend Mass with their child(ren).  Children will also attend Faith Formation classes, which usually begin in September, with a time of immediate preparation which includes the parents usually beginning after Easter. For more information, please contact the church office, and/or see the page Faith Formation for Families.