The word Eucharist means “thanksgiving.” When Christians celebrate the Eucharist at Mass, they give thanks and praise to God for the gift of Jesus Christ and for the many blessings received in our lives.
At the Last Supper, Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples and said: “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19). In this moment Jesus gave himself to his followers and invited them to remember him whenever they gathered for this sacred meal.
Each time we celebrate Mass and receive Holy Communion, we are united with Christ and with one another as members of the Church.
For children preparing to receive First Holy Communion, this is a special step in their journey of faith as they encounter Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time.
First Holy Communion
Edenderry Parish — 2026
Important Dates
We look forward to celebrating this special day
with the children and their families.
First Holy Communion is received by children who are baptised in the Catholic Church and who have been prepared through their school and the parish sacramental programme. Children are invited to grow in their understanding of the Eucharist and their relationship with Jesus before receiving this sacrament for the first time.
In Ireland, children usually receive First Holy Communion when they are in Second Class in primary school, normally around the age of 7 or 8.
Yes. Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation and is required before receiving First Holy Communion. If your child has not yet been baptised, please contact the parish office and we will be happy to guide you through the process.
Registration normally takes place through the parish and the child’s school. Parents will be informed by the parish and the school about the registration process and important preparation dates.
Yes. Parents play a very important role in preparing their children for the sacraments. The parish may organise information or preparation meetings for parents during the year to help families support their child on their faith journey.
Children are prepared for First Holy Communion through a combination of religious education in school and parish-based preparation. This helps them understand the meaning of the Eucharist and encourages them to grow in faith, prayer and participation in Mass.
First Holy Communion celebrations usually take place in the spring months, often between April and May. Exact dates are arranged in cooperation with the local schools and are announced by the parish during the year.
Yes, this may be possible. Families are asked to contact the parish office to discuss the situation. The parish will normally coordinate with the child’s school and ensure that the child has received the appropriate preparation.
Children baptised in the Orthodox Church have already received the sacraments of Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation) and Holy Communion at the time of their baptism. For this reason, they do not normally receive First Holy Communion again in the Catholic Church.
However, if an Orthodox child is part of the school class preparing for First Holy Communion, they are very welcome to take part in the preparation and celebration with their classmates. On the day of the celebration, the child may come forward to receive a special blessing from the priest.
This helps the child to participate with their friends without feeling excluded. The decision about participation is always made in consultation with the family and the parish priest.