We are the ‘Children of the Eucharist’ Apostolate, a group of lay Catholic people set up under the auspices of the Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration in Ireland. Our mission is to enhance the faith of our children by guiding them gently and appropriately for their age in quiet prayer in the presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
Children of the Eucharist was founded in October 2012 by Antoinette Moynihan from Co. Meath. Antoinette has been married to Peadar for over 24 years and they have 2 beautiful daughters Sarah and Ellen. This journey of blind trust and faith has been one the family have very much travelled on together, united in the same prayer that, the children of Ireland (and now further afield) may encounter Jesus in the same personal and intimate way that, they as a family have had the joy of experiencing in their own lives. Antoinette has had the full support of her family for which she is extremely grateful, as it would not have been possible without their support and encouragement.
During the family’s involvement in the International Eucharistic Congress that summer in 2012, Antoinette began to recognise the need for children to learn about and take part in Eucharistic Adoration in a child-friendly way. She has devised a particular format which involves leading the children in prayer and song and sharing with them some stories from the Children’s Bible. The children also get to spend some time in silent personal prayer.
Antoinette began Children’s Eucharistic Adoration in her own parish in late 2012 and then introduced it to several other schools in her diocese. Very quickly, interest in the programme grew and it is now in place in schools all over Ireland and more recently in the Scotland and England too. The response from schools who have received the Children of the Eucharist programme has been extremely positive; teachers regularly report finding Eucharistic Adoration a peaceful and reflective time for themselves, as well as helping the children they teach come to know and understand Jesus in a deeper and personal way.
There are now teams of faith-filled volunteer leaders at parish level all over Ireland and in parts of Scotland and England. There are more than 150 active volunteers on the ground, regularly leading children in monthly adoration of Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist and many others who intercede for the ministry or support the work in many other ways. The work of COTE would not be possible without the help and support of all these many volunteers and supporters. May the good Lord reward them in abundance for all their time, kindness and generosity.
There are now teams of faith-filled volunteer leaders at parish level all over Ireland, widespread throughout Scotland, England and most recently in Malta and America. There are more than 300 active volunteers on the ground, regularly leading children in monthly adoration of Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist and many others who intercede for the ministry or support the work in many other ways. The work of COTE would not be possible without the help and support of all these many volunteers and supporters. May the good Lord reward them in abundance for all their time, kindness and generosity.