THE EUCHARIST & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
While Catholics in the West today normally make their First Communion before they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the reception of Christ's Body and Blood, was historically the third of the three sacraments of initiation. This sacrament, the one we receive most often throughout our lives, is the source of great graces that sanctify us and help us grow in the likeness of Jesus Christ. The Sacrament of Holy Communion is also sometimes called the Eucharist.
The Effects of the Sacrament of Holy Communion:
Receiving Holy Communion worthily brings us graces that affect us both spiritually and physically. Spiritually, our souls become more united to Christ, both through the graces we receive and through the change in our actions that those graces effect. Frequent Communion increases our love for God and for our neighbor, which expresses itself in action, which makes us more like Christ.
Who Can Receive Catholic Communion?
Normally, only Catholics in a state of grace can receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.


Every year in the Parish of Cumbrian Martyrs’ there is a First Holy Communion Course which is for children who are in St Bede’s Primary School Key Stage 2 class 3, or for any other children of that age going to other schools, or for any children that are above that age who want to receive their First Holy Communion [FHC].
THE COURSE STARTS WITH AN INITIAL MEETING IN THE LITURGY ROOM ON WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 27TH 6PM.
ALL CLASSES TAKE PLACE EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 6PM IN TERM TIME.
THE FIRST HOLY COMMUNION DATE FOR 2019 IS THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI - 23rd JUNE 2019
PLEASE CONTACT FATHER JIM OR MS CHRISTINA BATTLE IF YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO ENROLE: