Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion)
Eucharist
The Sacrament of the Eucharist is commonly referred to as Holy Communion, or Communion. The Eucharist is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation into full membership of the Catholic Church, the other two sacraments being Baptism and Confirmation. We celebrate the Eucharist whenever we attend Mass.
As Catholics, we believe the Eucharist is the most powerful way to encounter the real presence of Jesus Christ. During Mass, we remember what Jesus did for us in his life, death and resurrection and recall the Last Supper – the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples. Then, through our prayers to the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine we place on the altar are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. When we receive Communion, we believe that we receive the person of Jesus into our very beings.
Receiving Communion at Mass calls us into unity and fellowship with each other, to live what we receive and believe, and to show that Christ is present in our world through all that we do and say. As such, the Sacrament of the Eucharist lies at the heart of our faith.
Our Parish Celebrations of Eucharist
Weekend Mass Times
| All Hallows Church | Sunday 9.00 am |
| Basilica of Our Lady of Victories | Saturday Vigil 6.00 pm Sunday 10.00 am |
| Our Holy Redeemer Church | Saturday Vigil 6.00 pm Sunday 10.30 am |
| Our Lady of Good Counsel Church | Saturday Vigil 5.30 pm Sunday 10.30 am and 5.00 pm |
| Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church | Sunday 9.00 am |
Weekday Mass Times
| All Hallows Church | Tuesday and Thursday at 9.15 am |
| Basilica of Our Lady of Victories | Saturday at 9.30 am |
| Our Lady of Good Counsel Church | Wednesday and Friday at 9.15 am |
First Eucharist for School-aged Children
Children preparing to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time are usually in Year 4 of their primary school education. In most instances, these children will have prepared for and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the previous year (Year 3). These circumstances can vary.
For children attending our parish primary schools, preparation for First Eucharist occurs within the school’s Religious Education Program. For those attending other local schools, they are invited to attend an after-school Sacraments Program under the guidance of our Parishes’ Catechists Team. Classes are conducted over a six-week period. Read more…
Our Parish Eucharistic Devotions
Eucharistic devotions are spiritual practices outside of the Mass that give honour to Jesus who is present in the ‘Blessed Sacrament’ (Eucharist).
In the Catholic Tradition, the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction are longstanding devotions of the Eucharist. They offer opportunities outside of Mass to pray to Jesus in an intensified and personal way, to express praise and thanks, to make petition and offer contrition, and to strengthen one’s personal relationship with Jesus.
Opportunities for our parishioners to participate in these devotions
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | Basilica of Our Lady of Victories Saturday at 9.00 am, prior to morning Mass |
Exposition and Benediction | Basilica of Our Lady of Victories First Saturday of the month at 9.00 am, prior to morning Mass |