In accordance with Diocesan Policy, children are encouraged to prepare for the Sacrament of First Eucharist as they near the age of seven (normally a 2nd grader). Students must complete one full year of Faith Formation or attend Catholic School the year immediately prior to the year he/she prepares to receive the Sacrament.
It is the primary duty of parents and those who take the place of parents, the Pastor and Catechists to help our students prepare for the Sacrament. It is expected that the family will attend Mass on a regular basis.
Candidates for First Eucharist will have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving First Eucharist. Here at Our Lady of Peace, our candidates will receive their First Eucharist during the Easter season.
All children of our parish – those in religious education, Catholic School or home-school, receive preparation for First Communion together in the parish. Your child should be given adequate Faith Formation that helps to develop:
- A familiarity with the entire Mass.
- An understanding of and desire for the Real Presence of Jesus, body, blood, soul, and divinity in the Most Holy Eucharist.
- An understanding of the options permitted for the reverent reception of the consecrated host and precious Blood.
- A deepening awareness of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
- The gift of Jesus in his life, death, and resurrection.
- An understanding of the Church’s faith in Christ’s preeminent presence in the Eucharist, relative to His presence in the assembly and the Word.
- An attitude of thankfulness to God that leads to the regular reception of the Eucharist.
Parents, you are the number one influence on your child’s faith formation, and in practicing the faith! They look to you for guidance and example as they grow to adulthood.
You brought your child to the Catholic Church to receive the Sacrament of Baptism, and, in doing so, you accepted the responsibility of training your child in the practice of the faith.
Your parish helped you and your child prepare for First Penance. Now they are ready to help you prepare your child to receive his or her First Eucharist (or First Communion as it’s commonly called).
What you have done, and will do, to nurture faith at home and in your parish is vitally important. Faithful attendance at Mass every week fosters familiarity with the movements, prayers, and gestures of the Mass. Additionally, conversations about Jesus, reading Bible stories, and seeing you reverently receive the Eucharist will help your child prepare to receive First Eucharist. The awe and reverence your child experiences the fist time they receive Jesus in the Eucharist is a treasured gift!
We begin our First Eucharist classes in the month of January. If you didn’t have a chance to register, please make sure you call Don Cass, our Faith Formation Coordinator, at 315-781-2624 by December 15th.
We so look forward to taking this journey together.