"I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; ... he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and .. abides in me, and I in him." John 6:51,54,56
"What material food produces in our bodily life, Holy Communion wonderfully achieves in our spiritual life. Communion with the flesh of the risen Christ, a flesh 'given life and giving life through the Holy Spirit,' preserves, increases, and renews the life of grace received at Baptism. This growth in Christian life needs the nourishment of Eucharistic Communion, the bread for our pilgrimage ntil the moment of death, when it will be given to us as viaticum." Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1392.
Preparation for first Holy Communion typically starts in 3rd grade, after having received first Confession/Reconciliation in 2nd grade. Classes run concurrent with the school year with reception of the sacrament taking place in April or May.
Any Catholic who is registered at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish may have either themselves, their teenager, or their child (3rd grade +) prepare for and receive their first Holy Communion at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. We are happy to prepare children from another parish with the permission of the individual's pastor.
Please contact the appropriate office for details: