We, the worshipping community of St. Henry's, Averill Park, rooted in the gospel and the celebration of the Eucharist, seek to make known God's Love in today's world through serving one another, sharing our faith, and welcoming all. 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI

(WE REMEMBER - GRATEFULLY)

 

 

The Eucharist or “Holy Communion”, is a vital part of Holy Mass, celebrated not only by Roman Catholics but also by Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, the Coptic's, Armenians, Syrians and Chaldean Christians. These Christian Churches believe that during “Holy Mass” (Sacrifice of Praise), bread and wine are placed on the altar. A Priest then recites an Offertory, offering God the Creator the same bread and wine, made with humans hands from gifts given to man by God the Creator. The Priest then recites the “Consecration”: the words and acts of Jesus Christ on the evening of “The Last Supper” at the Jewish Feast of the Passover.

After the “Consecration”, we believe that through the invocation of the Holy Spirit; the bread and wine are transformed into the Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ. Not visibly seen, but disguised as (under the appearance of) bread and wine. The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is then offered to God His Father for the sins of human kind. Then, under the direction of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospels, the Body and Blood hidden and disguised (under the appearance of) as bread and wine, is consumed.

It is the words of Jesus Christ taken literally that has become the whole basis of the Eucharist.

“Take this and eat, this is my body, which will be given up for you,” then he took the cup: “This cup is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting Covenant, which will be shed so that sins will be forgiven. Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22).

 

Why did Jesus arrange for this transformation of bread and wine? Because he intended another kind of transformation. The bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ which are, in turn, meant to transform us.  Ever hear the phrase: “you are what you eat?” The Lord desires us to be transformed from a motley crew of imperfect individuals into the Body of Christ, come to full stature.

 

For more information on the Body and Blood of Jesus, click on :  Doctrine , Belief,  Real Presence ,  Celebration of the Feast,  Devotions.  

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION 2009

 

 

 FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Pope John Paul II spoke directly to children about the solemn importance of First Holy Communion in his "Letter to Children" written in 1994 during the "Year of the Family".

The Eucharist, instituted by Christ at the Last Supper on the night before His passion, is a sacrament of the New Covenant -- the greatest of the sacraments. In this sacrament, the Lord becomes food for the soul under the appearances of bread and wine.  Children receive this sacrament solemnly a first time -- in First Holy Communion -- and are encouraged to receive it afterward as often as possible in order to remain in close friendship with Jesus.

To be able to receive Holy Communion, as you know, it is necessary to have received baptism: this is the first of the sacraments and the one most necessary for salvation. Baptism is a great event! In the Church's first centuries, when baptism was received mostly by grownups, the ceremony ended with receiving the Eucharist, and was as solemn as first Holy Communion is today. Later on, when baptism began to be given mainly to newborn babies -- and this is the case of many of you, dear children, so that in fact you do not remember the day of your baptism -- the more solemn celebration was transferred to the moment of First Holy Communion.