The most significant of all the sacraments is Holy Communion, also referred to as the Eucharist (the flesh and blood of Christ). The bread and wine are transformed into the actual presence of Christ by the priest’s consecration during the Mass. The sacrament is available for baptised Catholics who are in a state of grace, having confessed any mortal sins through the sacrament of Confession (Reconciliation), and is celebrated at every Mass our parish. It is a full expression of one’s faith to hear the word of God on a Sunday and to receive the Eucharist. Holy Communion is a reminder of the need to be in communion with Christ and in communion with one another. Going to Mass shows a willingness to grow in faith with the pilgrim worldwide catholic church. Mass is called the ‘source and summit of the Christian life’ and the Eucharist as instituted by Christ during the Last Supper, is spiritual nourishment.
“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’”
Luke 22: 19
First Holy Communion Guidelines
Preparation for a child’s reception of the Holy Communion in Ashbourne begins when the parents of a child request the sacrament. Parent’s must themselves be Catholic and willing to attend Sunday Mass and pass on a living Christian faith to their child.
To be eligible for first communion in Ashbourne the child must be at least in the second year of religious instruction, willing to partake in the full parish programme and should have received the sacrament of confession in year one of instruction.
In September each year Ashbourne parish holds a meeting for parents. At this meeting the dates for the various First Communion Masses are announced and the preparatory journey to the sacrament is outlined. The parents receive a Request Form and a Registration Form. On completion these are returned to the Parish Office.
‘Do This In Memory’ is the name of the preparation programme for First Holy Communion children and their parents or guardians. Our programme seeks to foster in a positive way the home, school and parish working together to pass on love of the Eucharist. Parents have a vital role in preparing a child for Holy Communion. Going to Mass regularly with your child, praying at home, and sharing your Christian values are vital in nurturing a child’s faith. You also help by discussing what is happening in the ‘Grow in Love’ religious programme at school. You are asked to pray as a family and have a sacred space prominent in your home that changes with the church calendar.
The children registered for first communion preparation come to Ashbourne Church for six catechesis encounters with our priests, and three happen in the term before Christmas and three happen in term before Easter. The catechesis take place on six Tuesday mornings at 10.45am for those attending one of Ashbourne’s three catholic schools. For those enrolled on the parish sacramental after school programme this happens on six Tuesday afternoons during class time.
At catechesis our priests speak about the Mass and explain the prayers of Mass to the children. The children also learn at each catechesis a sacred ritual that is part of our participation at Mass. The six catechesis encounters correspond to six parts of the Mass so that the children are all the time increasing their participation at Sunday Eucharist.
The six catechesis encounters are linked to six preparatory ‘Do This In Memory’ weekends in our parish. At the first ‘Do This In Memory’ Mass in October the children are enrolled in the preparatory programme and the boys and girls say the Introductory Prayers of Mass including the Confiteor and the ‘Lord, have mercy’ prayers. The children have learnt the importance of making the Sign of the Cross showing great respect to Jesus. For the second Mass the children have learnt about the Bible, and they say the ‘Word of God Prayers’ namely ‘Thanks be to God’, ‘Glory to you, O Lord’, ‘Lord, graciously hear us’. The children have learnt the gospel ritual of marking their foreheads, mouths and hearts with the cross. At the third ‘Do This In Memory’ Mass the children have learnt about the offertory gifts and the prayers said at the Offertory time of the Mass. Mass and Catechesis Number Four is about the Consecration and what Jesus did in changing the Bread and Wine into His Body and Blood. The children learn how to genuflect to the tabernacle and the meaning of kneeling in the Catholic tradition. The fifth ‘Do This In Memory; Mass is about the Lord’s Prayer and the prayers said just before Holy Communion. The final preparatory Mass is about receiving Holy Communion and bringing our faith out with us in all we do and say outside of the church. For this Mass the children have learnt how to receive and consume the sacred host.
The list of dates of the six catechesis encounters and the ‘Do This in Memory’ weekends are given to the parents at the initial meeting and are available from the Parish Office. Reminders are sent to the parents through the school and the Parish Newsletter. In 2024 the Parish Pastoral Assembly have devised a parental newsletter to support first holy communion parents in the passing on of faith.
First Holy Communion Masses
In Ashbourne First Holy Communion Masses take place on Saturday mornings in the month of May. Families with children for first communion are seated on a first come, first seated basis. A maximum of 30 first communion children receive the sacrament at any one Mass. This means that there are no restrictions on the numbers of family members who can attend first communion.
The children receiving the sacrament sit at the outside of their seat with all the children next to the centre aisle of our church. Children and all attending are asked to answer aloud the prayers of the Mass. Our priests offer the Mass for the children and their growth in the love of Jesus. The prayers are kept simple and the Mass child and family friendly. One of the class teachers reads the lesson from the lectionary about the first Mass. After the proclamation of the gospel the priest invites the children forward for some interaction. The priest conveys a simple Christian message about the Eucharist for all to ponder. The Prayer of the Faithful then takes place.
The children kneel with all present for the Consecration of Mass. At the beginning of the Communion Rite the children do the actions as they say the words of the Lord’s Prayer. At Communion Time each child comes forward with their parents and family members to receive Holy Communion.
The children have a choice to take communion on the hand or directly on the tongue. Parents should ensure that their child knows how to receive correctly. On receiving the child blesses themselves and goes down to their seat to pray as they welcome Jesus into their lives in this sacrament. As always, children will learn from their parents and if a child sees that the sacrament means something to their mum and dad they will take seriously the gift of Jesus in Communion.
On the day after communion the children are ‘guests of honour’ at our Sunday Masses in Ashbourne. The children are invited to wear their first communion attire, and the parish faith community celebrates having children receive this sacrament. Traditionally children dress like they are in a wedding for their First Holy Communion to reflect the sacredness and purity of the sacrament, as it symbolises a deep, spiritual union with Christ, similar to a bride’s union with the groom in marriage.
Bringing Holy Communion to the Sick and Housebound
On the first Friday of each month a priest of our parish brings the sacrament of Holy Communion to those unable to leave their house to attend Mass. If any person in Ashbourne would like one of our priests to bring them or a loved one the Blessed Sacrament, they should make arrangements for this to happen through the Parish Office.
