First Holy Communion
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ (1 Cor 11:23-25)
St. Paul reminds us here of the awesome mystery we celebrate in the Eucharist. First Holy Communion – the first reception of the Eucharist – forms a unity with baptism and confirmation as one of the three “sacraments of Christian initiation.”
Preparation for First Holy Communion is done through St. Francis Solanus School and through the Parish School of Religion (PSR) when children are in the 3rd grade. With the implementation of the Restored Order of Sacraments in 2019-2020, our 3rd graders will also receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the same Mass, and before receiving their First Communion.
There are also special programs that involve both the children and their parents. The involvement of parents is vital in preparing children for First Holy Communion and Confirmation, but the parish staff provides materials and classes to assist parents in their role as first and best teachers of their children.
Parents are required to attend the Confirmation/First Holy Communion parent meeting. This meeting will provide parents with information on how to help prepare their child for this sacrament. They also will receive a home study book that will help their child for the worthy reception of their First Holy Communion.
The essential conditions for the reception of First Holy Communion are:
- That the child believes that the Eucharist IS TRULY the BODY and BLOOD of Christ
- That the child has the DESIRE to receive Christ in the Eucharist
Important upcoming dates will be publicized when they are determined.
