First Communion

Our formation program consists of two elements. Our monthly Generations of Faith program (GoF) along with its companion, Growing Faith, the grade level instruction for children enrolled in GoF. All second-grade students enrolled in (GoF) are automatically enrolled in First Reconciliation and First Communion Preparation. The preparation process constitutes the base curriculum for second grade students. In addition to the classroom sessions there will be a workbook that families complete at home as part of the preparation for each sacrament.

We prepare for the reception of the Sacrament of Holy Reconciliation in the Fall and the Sacrament of Holy Communion in the Spring. On 4 occasions during the preparation process we ask parents to join the session for parts of the lesson. One of these is the informational meeting at the beginning of the year. The other 3 have elements where you will interact with your child as you help them to get ready to meet the Lord Jesus in the sacramental life of the Church.

As the names of these two sacraments suggest they are starting points for a new relationship with God and the Church. The ordinal number “first” suggest a second, third and so on. Children received into our sacramental life in these new ways begin to walk with the adult community and learn from us by participating in the life of the Church more actively. In a sense, it is like having our children apprentice as disciples as they grow into adult members of the community. Being initiated into receiving Holy Communion is the second step of initiation into the Church. The process, begun at Holy Baptism, will be completed in Holy Confirmation when they are in High School.