Eucharist

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body."

Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.

                                        Mark 14:22-24

Celebration of the Eucharist, commonly called the Mass, is our most important celebration as Catholics. This is what we celebrate six times every Sunday and twice on weekdays in the early morning. Its importance for us is, because of all the ways God is present in the world, His presence in the consecrated bread and wine is preeminent. It is in the Eucharist that we are nourished in the depth of our souls. "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day." John 6:54  
We celebrate weddings, funerals, ordinations, baptisms most gloriously within the context of the Eucharist celebration.

Communion to the Sick and Homebound
The Eucharist is our family meal, and we want to keep our sick and homebound within the family, and also nourished by the Bread of Life. The Priests, Deacons and Eucharist Ministers regularly bring Communion to Hospitals, Retirement Homes and private residences. If you know a member of the Parish who desires Communion, please call the office at (818) 888-8200.
When a spouse is sick, we often appoint the other spouse to bring communion. This is very appropriate because within the Sacrament of Marriage, couples bring Christ's presence to each other in so many ways.

First Communion
While adults receive First Communion as soon as they join the Church, it is in second grade that children will receive this Sacrament. Here at St Bernardine's, we dedicate eight Masses over two Sundays in May for these special celebrations. This makes it a communal celebration, as our young members gather around the family table. This culminates two years of preparation both in the school and Religious Education program. Occasionally, older children who may have missed it will join the RCIA program to receive their First Communion.

Special Occasion
In certain instances like wedding anniversaries or anniversaries of a death, it is not unusual to have a special Mass for the family. We have a beautiful Chapel in the Parish Center that seats 40 which is very suitable for small celebrations.

For additional information or if you have an interest in becoming a Eucharistic Minister, contact Bob Nicholas at (818) 346-8244 or email to EM@StBernardine.org

See more on the Eucharistic Ministry.