First Eucharist
Preparing for First Communion at Our Lady of Grace, Immaculate Conception, and St. Joseph Churches
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Children in second grade are invited to prepare for the Sacrament of First Eucharist through our parish Faith Formation Program. This preparation takes place across our three churches: Our Lady of Grace, Immaculate Conception, and St. Joseph.
First Holy Communion is typically celebrated during regular weekend Masses in the spring.
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The program includes:
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Bi-weekly classes on a day chosen by the family,
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Faith activities completed at home,
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Family intergenerational evenings,
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A retreat experience,
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And a pre-Communion rehearsal.
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For questions or to learn more about First Eucharist preparation, please contact Maria Yorkshire, our Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation.
WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR MY CHILD TO RECEIVE FIRST HOLY COMMUNION?
At a minimum, your child must:
• Be baptized in the Catholic Church, or another Christian denomination recognized by the Catholic Church. They must have been baptized with water and “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
• If your child is older than second grade, we may require completion of the Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC).
• Have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Instruction for this sacrament will take place before instruction for First Holy Communion. The reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will take place a few months before First Holy Communion.
WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED FOR MY CHILD TO RECEIVE FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Traditionally, young Catholic children will make their first confession, also called the Sacrament of Reconciliation, before receiving their First Holy Communion. But confession is not the only requirement for receiving the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist; the Sacrament of Baptism must have been received as well. A child, or any person, who has not been baptized cannot receive communion.
At your child’s Baptism, you reaffirmed your belief in the Catholic Church and promised to raise your child in the Catholic faith. This is what the Church calls our “founded hope” that your child will be raised in the Catholic faith. Today, if this “founded hope” is in jeopardy because your faith as a parent has changed and you no longer believe in the Catholic Church, or you attend another Christian Church, or for whatever reason you are not willing to ensure that your child will have opportunities to learn the faith and attend Sunday Mass, there may be reason to delay First Holy Communion. These are serious issues and will need the pastor’s determination to proceed. If you are in a similar situation, please contact the priest early to discuss your options.