Eucharist

“The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324).

Holy Mass

Please see our Mass schedule at right. In addition to our 7:00pm Saturday evening Vigil Mass in Spanish, and our two Sunday Masses in English at 8:30 and 11:30am, Mass is also offered Sunday afternoons at 4:00pm on the campus of Western Carolina University at the Catholic Student Center during the Fall and Spring semesters (roughly mid-August through mid-May). Daily Mass is offered most days during the week at St. Mary’s, but be sure to check a current bulletin for the most recent schedule.

“St. Paul urges us to examine our conscience: ‘Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself’ (1 Cor 11:27-29). Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion” (CCC 1385).

“To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church. Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest” (CCC 1387).

“A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine” (Code of Canon Law 919).

“The Church obliges the faithful to take part in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days and, prepared by the sacrament of Reconciliation, to receive the Eucharist at least once a year, if possible during the Easter season. But the Church strongly encourages the faithful to receive the holy Eucharist on Sundays and feast days, or more often still, even daily” (CCC 1389).

Eucharistic Adoration

St. Mary’s offers a regular Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction) on Fridays from 9:30-10:30am (after the 9:00am Mass). Confession is also offered during this time.

“The purpose of the Holy Hour is to encourage deep personal encounter with Christ. The holy and glorious God is constantly inviting us to come to Him, to hold converse with Him, to ask for such things as we need and to experience what a blessing there is in fellowship with Him.” – Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

First Holy Communion

First Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of May for children who have completed two years (2nd grade) of faith formation. If you have a child you wish to enroll in faith formation and who has not yet made their first Holy Communion, please contact our director of faith formation.