First Holy Communion
Children of our parish receive their First Holy Communion in the second grade. Children are expected to begin preparing in first grade by receiving formal religious education training either through classes on Sunday morning, attending a Catholic school, or being home-schooled with an approved-Diocesan curriculum. Children must also attend a half-day retreat experience in preparation for this sacrament. In addition, there are required parent/child sessions held occasionally during the year. Parents will help their children prepare to receive the Sacrament by:
- attending parent and parent/child sessions;
- reviewing their child’s work at home;
- weekly Sunday Mass attendance;
- helping their child to participate in parish life; and
- teaching, through word and example, how to live as a Catholic.
As this is a sacrament of initiation into full communion with the Catholic Church, families are expected to support that initiation by bringing their children to several (at least four) parish life events during the year in addition to Mass and their Religious Education Training. At least two of these events should be prayer/liturgy related, such as participation in Eucharistic Adoration, attending Stations of the Cross, attending the parish mission, and attending the Holy Thursday liturgy where we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist in a very special way. Other parish life events are Family Life and Families in Service events, the Stewardship Party in January, the parish picnic in June, etc.
The Sacrament is celebrated after Easter. Families have a choice of celebrating with a large group on a Saturday morning or at any of five Sunday liturgies in the spring. If a child is participating in the large group First Communion, he or she and at least one parent must come to the rehearsal prior to the celebration. The choice for the date and type of celebration for First Communion is made in the fall by completing the First Holy Communion Date Choice Form. The form for selection is below.
First Holy Communion Date Choice Form.
To First Reconcilation page.
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