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First Reconciliation and First Eucharist The National Directory of Catechesis, written and approved by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, makes several statements about how we need to prepare our children for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. The Bishops remind us that the Eucharist is the “source and summit of Christian life.” By our Baptism, we enter into a Covenant with God. As God did with the Jewish people, God has promised to be our God, but we have an obligation to give God worship and praise. Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary is the perfect sacrifice and each time we celebrate the Eucharist, we celebrate that sacrifice as a Christian community. Therefore, celebrating the Eucharist should be the first priority of our lives. The role of the family is essential in preparing children for First Eucharist. The Bishops have written: “Children’s preparation for first reception of the Eucharist begins in the home. The family has the most important role in communicating the Christian and human values that form the foundation for a child’s understanding of the Eucharist. Children who participate with their family in the Mass experience the Eucharistic mystery in an initial way and gradually learn to join with the liturgical assembly in prayer.” In other words, they learn by example. It is, therefore, the duty and obligation of parents to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation with their children. In the beginning God created everything good and for our good. But with the sin of Adam and Eve, sin entered the human family. It was through the paschal mystery of Christ’s suffering, dying and rising from the dead that the relationship between God and the human family was restored. Unfortunately, the human family continues to suffer the effects of sin. Part of the maturity cycle of a child is learning right from wrong. By learning this, they develop an understanding of sin and they also learn to ask forgiveness and receive the grace to overcome sinful temptations. We believe that parents have the primary responsibility of helping their children understand sin and forgiveness. One of the most powerful ways that children learn about forgiveness is when they see their parents humble themselves and ask to be forgiven. This is an essential part of raising a child. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are normally celebrated in second grade. However, in order to fully prepare a student for these Sacraments, we believe that two years of religious education is necessary before the reception of either Sacrament. Those not enrolled in a religious education program in first grade will receive the Sacraments in third grade. There are three mandatory parent meetings to assist parents in preparing their child to receive the Sacraments. The first parent meeting specifically covers reconciliation and the second parent meeting pertains to Eucharist. Parents are also required to attend at least one evening of parish sponsored adult education. Please see adult education opportunities in this handbook. Students with excessive absences may have their reception of the Sacraments delayed if, in the assessment of the Director of Religious Education and Pastor, the student is not adequately prepared. First Reconciliation is celebrated on the Thursday following the First Sunday of Lent. First Eucharist is celebrated on the First Sunday of May after completing the First Eucharist Retreat the day before. |