Children prepare for First Communion during 2nd Grade religion classes at Holy Cross School or during 2nd Grade CCD classes on Weds. nights.  Adults prepare for First Communion in RCIA classes held on Sunday mornings.  Contact Director of Religious Education at (815) 538 - 6151 for more information on preparation for First Communion.

Anyone who plans to eat Jesus' Body and drink Jesus' Blood in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist must first do the following:

• Confess any mortal sins in Confession, receive forgiveness, and do penance.

• Do not eat or drink anything (except water) for 1 hour before receiving Holy Communion.  This is called the “Eucharistic Fast”.  Chewing gum is also not allowed.  You can take medicine that is required during that hour.  If someone has a serious health problem which makes going without food for one hour dangerous, he/she is allowed to eat or drink as is necessary.

Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.  For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.  Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.  This is the bread that came down from heaven.  Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
+ John 6:53-58

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my Body.”  Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my Blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.  + Matthew 26:26-28

Bread and Wine

Even though you see, taste, smell, and feel what appears to be bread and wine, you NEVER eat bread NOR do you ever drink wine at Mass.  You are eating and drinking the true/real Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ under the appearance (or accidents) of bread and wine.

At the time of Offertory during Mass, bread and wine are brought to the priest.  Later, at the time of Consecration during Mass, the priest prays a special prayer over the bread and wine.  Jesus gave this prayer to the first priests, His Apostles, at the Last Supper.  The Holy Spirit works through the priest and changes the bread and wine into the physical Body and Blood of Jesus.  The substance of the bread is changed into Jesus' Body.  The substance of the wine is changed into Jesus' Blood.  What we see with our human eyes still looks like bread and wine.  This makes it possible for us to eat Jesus’ Body and drink His Blood.  Jesus knows that He must look and taste like things that we are physically able to swallow.

• Increases our union with Jesus Christ.

• Forgives our venial sins.

• Helps us avoid mortal sin.

• Reinforces the unity of the Church.