EEssential Conditions for the Reception of First Eucharist It is necessary that a child: Believe that the Eucharist IS TRULY the BODY and BLOOD of Jesus, and have a DESIRE to receive Him. Preparation for receiving the Eucharist begins in the first grade, and continues through second grade; however, preparation to receive the sacrament is ultimately the parents' responsibility. Checklist for First Eucharist:
Parents must:
Attend Saturday Anticipatory Mass or Sunday Mass with their child every week.
Bring child's Baptismal certificate by the Children's Ministries office if it wasn’t handed in for First Reconciliation.
Attend First Eucharist meeting planned in January.
Help prepare their child for First Eucharist by doing the "At-Home" study program. (The “At home” activities come from the book, Together with Jesus, published by Pflaum)
Attend the First Eucharist workshop with their child.
Children must:
Attend Mass on Saturday or Sunday.
Be Baptized.
Have attended RE in first grade or year one sacrament preparation class.
Be faithful in attending Religious Education classes or attending a Catholic school where religion is taught daily.
Complete the “At Home” study given at the parent meeting. (The “At Home” activities come from the book, Together with Jesus, published by Pflaum)
Attend the First Eucharist Retreat.
Completed yellow folders are due: Week of March 22, 2024 Commonly Asked Questions About First Communion Preparation 1. HOW CAN I TELL IF MY CHILD IS READY FOR FIRST COMMUNION? Here are some indicators that your child is ready to celebrate the sacrament:
Does your child have sufficient knowledge to understand the mystery of Christ according to his or her capacity and can he or she receive the Body of the Lord with faith and devotion?
Does your child and some other family members regularly attend Sunday Mass?
Is prayer a part of your child’s daily life?
Does he or she show a reverence for God?
Does your child have a relationship with Jesus?
Does he or she know the difference between ordinary bread and wine and the Body and Blood of Jesus?
2. WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD WEAR FOR FIRST COMMUNION DAY? For Girls:
It has been a tradition for girls to wear white (or cream) on First Communion day.
The dress may be long (above the ankle), or short (to the knee).
If the dress is sleeveless then a white sweater should be worn.
The girls may wear a veil, a crown of flowers, or a head band on their head.
Shoes should be white with a low heel and a strap around the back of the foot.
No gloves and they do not carry anything.
For Boys:
Traditionally, it has been a white shirt, dark tie, and slacks.
The dress shirt may be long sleeved or short sleeved.
The tie color is your choice
At St. Jude, some boys wear suits while others wear a vest with a shirt.
The color of slacks depends on the desire of the child and his parents (khaki, black, blue).
Boys must wear a belt.
Dress shoes should be worn.
Gifts, called Sacramentals, received such as, gloves, purses, bibles must remain with the parents during the mass. Father will bless them at the end of the mass before the final blessing. Parent Meeting for First Eucharist One parent must attend the First Eucharist parent meeting. Childcare is available at the meeting by reservation at [email protected]
Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 9:15 am in the Parish Hall
FIRST EUCHARIST Workshop Dates One parent attends the workshop with their child. You choose one day and time to attend. Registration for the workshop will be in April.
Wednesday April 3rd4:30-5:30pm
Wednesday, April 3rd 6:00pm-7:00pm
Thursday, April 4th 4:30-5:30pm
Thursday, April 4th 6:00-7:00pm
FIRST EUCHARIST CELEBRATIONS: Parents will register for the First Eucharist day and time that they wish to attend. The registration link will be sent the end of January.