The third precept of the Church is “To receive the sacrament of Holy Communion at least once during the Easter season.” In today’s time, this precept may seem strange. It has been reported that a majority of the faithful do not truly believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Therefore, the Church is plagued with the problem of many who come and receive Holy Communion at Mass without an even cursory examination of conscience. If we are conscious of any mortal sin on our soul that has not been priorly confessed in the sacrament of penance, we must refrain from Holy Communion lest we commit another mortal sin. “Father, I was tired last week and slept past my alarm. I missed Mass. Can I receive Holy Communion this week?” The correct response is, “No. You must confess your negligence before you may approach the altar of the Lord.”
Unfortunately, many of Christ’s faithful today conflate going to Mass with receiving Holy Communion. However, we are bound by the first precept to go to Holy Mass every Sunday and holy day. We are NOT bound to receive Holy Communion. The pitiful fallacy, though, is that many folks will think, “Well, if I can’t receive Communion, I can’t/shouldn’t go to Mass.” This is a sorry logical misstep. Going to Mass when unable to receive Holy Communion continues to nourish our soul with the Word of God, the graces of conversion, the spiritual strength to approach the sacrament of confession, and the HUNGER to return to the reception of Holy Communion.
This precept comes from a time in which the faithful believed so heartily and with such fervent faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament that no one felt worthy enough to receive Holy Communion. It was the complete other extreme than what we are seeing today. The Church needed a law to “force” the faithful to take advantage and participate in the reception of Holy Communion. It is not the food of priests and religious. It is the Bread of Life for all who have prepared themselves and are disposed to receive the grace and power of the sacrament.
Saturday 4 PM
Sunday 8 AM, 11 AM
& 2 PM (Spanish)
Tuesday 12:30 PM
Wednesday 6:15 PM
Thursday & Friday 9 AM
Unless otherwise advertised:
Vigil: 7 PM
Holy Day: 9 AM, 12:30 PM, 7PM (Spanish)
**Please see the parish calendar for the schedule on a particular Holy Day or Feast.
616 South Cherry Street
Kernersville, NC 27284
Phone: 336-996-5109
Fax: 336-996-5669
Mon, Tue, Thu 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wednesday. 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Saturday 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Sunday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm