St. Bernadette Mission | First Holy Communion – 29 June 2025
✝️ The Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Church
The Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation), and the Holy Eucharist—lay the foundation of Christian life.
- Baptism welcomes the believer into the grace of Christ.
- Chrismation strengthens the soul with the Holy Spirit.
- The Eucharist nourishes the faithful with the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
Together, these three sacraments fully initiate a person into the Church.
In the Eastern Catholic tradition, including the Syro-Malabar Church, it is customary to administer all three sacraments together, even to infants. This practice reflects the early Church’s liturgical and theological tradition.
However, the Western Church generally administers Baptism in infancy and delays Confirmation and First Holy Communion until the child reaches a later stage of maturity.
In recent years, the Syro-Malabar Church has begun restoring the original order of the Sacraments of Initiation, staying faithful to her authentic heritage.
A Day of Grace and Joy for Our Mission
This Sunday is a joyous and grace-filled day for our St. Bernadette Syro-Malabar Mission, as 14 children solemnly receive their First Holy Communion from His Excellency Mar Joseph Srampickal, Bishop of the Eparchy of Great Britain.
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
— John 6:51
Through this sacred sacrament, our children are united more closely with Jesus and the Church. It is a moment of profound grace, as they receive the true Body and Blood of our Lord—the very heart of our Catholic faith.
This day marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith, a call to grow in holiness, remain rooted in the Holy Qurbana, and live as joyful witnesses of Christ in the world.
Let us lift these children in prayer:
- That their hearts may remain open to the grace of the Holy Spirit.
- That their love for Jesus in the Eucharist may grow daily.
- That they may become shining lights of faith, love, and witness in our parish community.
As we celebrate this holy day together, let us also renew our devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist, which is the source and summit of our Christian life.
Income & Expenditure for May 2025.
