The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life" (CCC 1324). In the Eucharistic celebration, we join with our community in thanksgiving to celebrate and receive our Lord. Through the words of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and the wine become Christ's Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinty to nourish us and unite us with Himself.

At St. Joseph, children who have been baptized begin direct preparation to receive First Communion in second grade. By ongoing attendance at Catholic school or Youth Faith Formation classes, parish elementary students begin their formation for the sacrament. Second grade students, along with their parents, then come together to participate in family sacrament preparation events at the parish while continuing the learning at home with supplied materials and by regularly attending Mass together. First Communion is typically administered at the end of second grade. For more information about Youth Faith Formation, please click here.

Families of children who wish to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist but are not yet baptized, or of children who are baptized but older than second grade, are invited to contact the Youth Faith Formation Office at 319.377.8402 to learn more about options available for preparation for the sacrament.  

Adults who are interested in receiving First Communion are invited to contact our Adult Faith Formation Director about RCIA at 319.377.4869. For more information about RCIA, please click here.

St. Joseph has special ministers who will visit the homebound and hospitalized who wish to receive Communion. If you, or a friend or relative, are homebound or hospitalized and would like to receive the Eucharist, please contact our Deacon and Pastoral Minister, Deacon Jeff Volker, at 319.377.4869 or [email protected].

Eucharistic Adoration is offered at St. Joseph every Monday from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. To learn more about Adoration at St. Joseph, click here. All are welcome and invited to join us!