Last Updated on September 9, 2024 by Editor
Preparing for the First Communion is a two-year process. Children are required, by the diocese and our parish, to attend a full year of Faith Formation classes or attend a parochial school as a first-grader before they can begin their formal preparation to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion as a second-grader.
As a child prepares to receive his or her first sacraments, regular attendance to their Sunday morning Faith Formation classes and Monday evening sacramental preparation classes is extremely important.
For their Reconciliation preparation, they are taught about Jesus’ love, mercy and forgiveness through scripture. Once they have received that sacrament, they begin preparing for First Communion.
The children learn about belonging to a parish community and how they became a member through Baptism. They learn how we celebrate Mass and how Jesus becomes present in gifts of bread and wine during the consecration. This is why we strongly encourage regular Mass attendance.
There also is a three-hour workshop the children attend with their parents where they make chalices, pew banners and participate in a church search.
It’s important, however, to help parents and families know that these requirements are put in place to help us ensure that the children have a good knowledge of the importance of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.
When a child participates in sports, dance, gymnastics or other extracurricular activities, they never would be allowed to participate in a game, recital or meet without having first attended classes or practiced, often-times for months.
The same goes when receiving the sacraments. In order for the child to receive these gifts of God’s grace, they have to be prepared and have knowledge of what they are receiving so that when they do receive our Lord in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, they will truly become like him and be a blessing to others they meet along life’s journey.
Contact Terri Piazza-Panuccio at 315-794-4085 or tpanuccio@syrdio.org