The Eucharist

• Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. 
• The Eucharist is food for our souls. 
• Holy Communion is a lifelong blessing we should never take for granted. 

Family Connection Activity:
From time to time, you might think to yourself, “I’m not sure if I believe that Jesus is truly present in the host I receive at Mass on Sunday.” You wouldn’t be the first person to have doubts about the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. If you watch the episode “The True Presence” (included below) you will learn about the Eucharistic miracle that took place 
 

while a doubting priest said Mass in Lanciano, Italy. While it is just one of thousands of documented Eucharistic miracles, it is particularly powerful because you can travel to Lanciano and see the flesh and blood that has remained there for for more than thirteen hundred years.

After you are done learning about the miracle at Lanciano, spend some time discussing your favorite part of the miracle with your child. Give them the opportunity to share their favorite part, too.

Pray this prayer with your child each day this week:
Lord, catch me off guard today.
Surprise me with some moment of beauty or pain.
So that at least for the moment I may be. Amen

Your First Communion

• Your child is ready to say “yes” to God and receive his or her First Communion. 
• The Eucharist empowers us to do great things for God. 
• God is always inviting us to share in the great celebration of the Mass. 

Family Connection Activity:
How close is your child to the day of his or her First Communion? Consider creating a countdown. Put the number of days left on the fridge or have your child write in their workbook “22 days until my First Communion!” Anticipation compounds excitement. And your excitement will spill over to increase their excitement regarding this very important day.

But don’t stop there. When you go to receive Holy Communion next Sunday at Mass, bring your child with you. Encourage them to watch you carefully so they will know what to do. When you get back to your seat, lean in, and whisper, “I can’t wait for the day when you get to receive Communion, too!”

Pray this prayer with your child each day this week:

My Lord and my God, I firmly believe that you are present in the Eucharist. 
Take the blindness from my eyes, so that I can see all people and all things as you see them.
Take the deafness from my ears, so that I can hear your truth and follow it.
Take the hardness from my heart, so that I can live and love generously. Amen.