The Sacrament of the Eucharist
St. Mary's celebrates Mass every day. If you or someone you know is homebound and cannot come to Mass, please contact the rectory to arrange for a visit from a priest or extraordinary minister of Communion to bring the Eucharist.

First Holy Communion for Children
Preparation to receive First Communion (Eucharist) and First Reconciliation (Confession) usually begins in the first grade, and children receive these sacraments in the second grade. However, these sacraments can be received at any age after 7 years old, following a period of preparation.

Children preparing to receive these sacraments should be enrolled in a Catholic school, our parish Faith Formation program, or an appropriate homeschool curriculum.

To enroll your child in our parish program or if you have a child who is homeschooled or in a Catholic school other than St. Mary's, please visit our Children & Family Faith Formation page or contact our Coordinator of Religious Education, Catherine Gallerizzo Oyster, [email protected]

First Communion for Adults
Catholic adults who would like to receive the Eucharist for the first time or adults who would like to learn more about becoming Catholic, should contact Olivia Crosby, Coordinator of RCIA, through the rectory at 301-424-5550. See also Becoming Catholic.

Eucharistic Adoration
St. Mary's offers many opportunities for Eucharist adoration. Click here for information.

About this Sacrament
For guidelines on receiving the Eucharist, see the document here.
Videos, Resources, and Frequently Asked Questions about the Eucharist

"The Eucharist is the greatest of the sacraments of initiation and the source and summit of the Christian life. In the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself."

"At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration are the bread and wine that, by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ's Body and Blood." (Catechism of the Catholic Church)