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                        First Reconciliation/First Eucharist

    Children are eligible to receive First Eucharist when they reach the 2nd Grade in school (about 8 years old).  In addition to being enrolled in our Faith Formation program (see Children and Youth Religious Education), these kids are required to come, along with a parent(s) to evening Sacramental Preparation sessions, as follows:

First Reconciliation- One evening class, per month, in September, October, and November.  Sessions last from 7:00- 8:00 PM (this year).  Then, children celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in early December.

First Eucharist- One evening class, per month, in September, October, and November.  Sessions last from 7:00- 8:00 PM (this year).  Then, children celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist in late April.

When students in these classes come to our monthly sessions, they go into separate classrooms where catechists review the upcoming lessons, do related activities with the children, etc.  Parents, at the same time, are given appropriate overviews on the sacraments, their children's textbook scope and sequence, etc.  The actual teaching of lesson content is a task of the parents, with our full support.

Children in Sacramental Preparation are required to attend a First Eucharist Family Day event, just prior to celebrating the sacrament.  That is usually a Saturday morning from 9:00 - 12:30 PM.

We often have children older than 2nd grade, who have not received First Eucharist/ First Reconciliation.  As long as they are baptized, and have continued with some level of Faith Formation, we add them to the Sacramental Prep class and include them in the sacramental celebration.

After our First Eucharist liturgy (usually a Saturday morning Mass), we celebrate with children, families and friends with a very nice brunch.  Photography and video capture of the liturgy is outsourced to a local photography/ videography studio.

If you have a child eligible for one of these programs, or if you would like to help in the ministry, please call Becky Lucas at 817/460-2751.