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First Penance & First Holy Communion
for children
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Celebration of the Sacraments of First Penance and First
Eucharist should be an integral part of the religious
formation of every child; these Sacraments will become
an on-going part of the lifelong process of conversion.
Parents have the first and most important influence on
the faith development of their child, as they are the
primary educators and have an intimate role in the
formation of their child's moral conscience . Thus, the
best and most fruitful catechesis for the first
reception of these Sacraments involves the parents. |
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While
there is no "automatic" age or grade level for reception
of the Sacraments, you'll know when you and your child are
ready. The normal time for a child to be catechized and
receive these Sacraments for the first time is in
the fall and winter seasons of second grade (or at age seven).
Preparation for these two Sacraments is separate and
in addition to the Religious Education Program offered on
Sunday mornings. Preparation for First Holy Communion begins
after the catechesis and the Sacrament of Penance
has been completed. First Penance preparation begins in
September, with the reception of the Sacrament in December.
Preparation for First Eucharist begins in February, with
celebration of the Sacrament in early May. |
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Preparation
for each sacrament involves two mandatory parent sessions
and a morning retreat for the family. In addition to these
sessions, each child will receive the sacramental texts
for the parents to complete with their child at home. This
catechesis includes the Church's rich teachings of each
Sacrament and is designed to deepen the parents' understanding
and love of the Sacrament, as well as to help the child
to grow morally. |
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Discernment of Readiness |
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The child should
understand that sin is a bad moral choice, which hurts one's
relationship with God, themselves, and others; they should
be sorry for their sins and should try not to sin again. |
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The child should clearly understand that
only God forgives sin |
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The child should be able to demonstrate
an understanding of the difference between the consecrated
bread and wine (the Body and Blood of Christ) and ordinary
bread and wine. |
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The parents, program director, and catechist,
to ensure that the children It is ultimately the responsibility
of the parish pastor, in collaboration with thave reached
the age and/or use of reason and are properly prepared. |
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If you have any questions or concerns
about the First Penance and First Holy Communion process,
please contact the parish office. |
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Prerequisites for Candidacy |
Listed below are the diocesan prerequisites for candidacy
for your child to receive these sacraments: |
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At least one parent should be a practicing,
active member of Holy Trinity. |
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Parent must provide a copy of the child's
baptismal certificate (if baptized in another parish). |
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The child must have attained the age
of seven and/or use of reason. |
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Parent and child are expected to participate
in Sunday Mass every week |
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The child must have completed the previous
year of formal religious education in a Catholic school,
the parish program, or in their previous parish. |
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The child must be currently participating
in a program of systematic, approved catechesis, either
in a Catholic school or as a registered student of the parish
program. |
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At the same time, the child must also
be enrolled in the parish process of preparation for the
sacrament, in which children from the Catholic school and
the parish religious education program are united. |
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To begin
preparation for receiving his or her First Eucharist, the
child must first have received the Sacrament of Penance. |
| If you have any questions or concerns about the First Penance
and First Holy Communion process, please contact the parish
office. |
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Please
email us
if you cannot find information you need or a page is outdated |
