The Eucharist is the really important moment in our lives when we are together around the altar, praying and praising God, and getting involved in what Christ did on the Cross, what he did in his Resurrection.

Receiving Our Lord in Holy Communion is a moment when we are enabled to recognise who he is and what he is. How important is the precious moment when he is close to us. It is the moment when we must give ourselves to him, as he gives himself to us. It is the moment when he, in his own way will speak to us and encourage us. In his own way too he will give us new strength if for instance, we have a big problem in the family or in our own personal lives. It is the moment when we can accept from the hands of God a cross to be borne, a difficulty to be faced. It is the moment to say lovingly "Yes, I will, with Your help".

The moment of receiving Our Lord is a very personal one. It should not be rushed or invaded by distraction, There should be a short time when we are alone with Our Lord. It is only when we can be alone with him, deep down within ourselves, that we can then begin to form a true Christian community, which is, of course, what a parish should be.

Moments of silence and stillness after Communion are important - those moments we spend together before the final prayer and blessing, and those other moments when we stay behind in church - alone with him.

(Cardinal Basil Hume OSB. From ‘To be a Pilgrim’)