First Reconciliation & First Eucharist

Learn more about mission of the Department of Evangelization & Catechesis here.

 

Preparation for and celebration of the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are experienced within the life of the child's parish community and the life of the child's family.  Whether a child attends a Catholic School, a charter school, a private school, a public school or home school; sacramental preparation and the sacrament celebrations happen in the parish community where the family is a member and attends Mass. 

DID YOU KNOW?
In the Diocese of Austin, "Children who have reached the age of reason (7) are to begin the process of preparing to receive their first communion. The preparation ordinarily includes participation for 2 years in a Parish or Catholic school religious education program."
This means, all 1st & 2nd Grade children should be enrolled in Catechesis of some kind in order to proceed to First Communion at the end of 2nd Grade. During this second year of preparation, families participate in their parish sacramental preparation program concurrently with catechesis.  The program at St. Theresa Parish includes a parent/child retreat for each sacrament as well as working together with the child at home to complete a series of family meetings for each sacrament.

OLDER CHILDREN: If your child is older than 2nd grade and has not yet received these Sacraments, know that your child is welcome at St. Theresa and we look forward to working with your family to discern the best formation process for him/her.  Depending on your child, this may be RCIA adapted for children. Please take a moment to learn more about RCIA and then contact Amy Allert at amy-allert@st-theresa.org.

FAMILY PREPARATION:  Growing up in a Catholic home where believing, knowing, and experiencing God as part of everyday life has helped prepare your child and your family for reception of the sacraments. The many ways you have loved, cared for, shared meals with, and demonstrated forgiveness communicate the unconditional love of God to your child. "Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child’s earliest years. This already happens when family members help one another grow in faith by the witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instructions. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God." (Catechism of the Catholic Church #2226).  

• Support our child’s spiritual life in our home and in our family by praying regularly together (mealtimes, before bed) & attending mass weekly on Sundays and on Holy Days of Obligation.
• Prioritize sacrament preparation retreats and family meetings just as much as sports practices/games, scout meetings, and other extracurricular activities in our child’s day-to-day life.
• Take opportunities within the parish for our own spiritual needs as fully formed adults in the Catholic faith.
• Build community with other families in the sacrament preparation program beyond those we already know.
• Communicate with the Department of Evangelization & Catechesis whenever we have concerns or questions or need assistance with the preparation.

Registration for 2024-25 is closed.

Sacrament Preparation is $100 per family plus an additional fee of $35 if you have more than one child participating. School families have already paid the fee through tuition.