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. 

Children generally celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time in 2nd grade.  Austin Diocese Guidelines: Any baptized Catholic child who has reached the age of reason (7 years of age AND attended religious education classes in the 1st grade and is now in the 2nd grade) is eligible to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist, usually referred to as First Communion.

PARISH PREPARATION: Children need to be enrolled and participating in comprehensive catechesis (parish catechesis classes or Catholic School religion classes) for two years immediately prior to reception of the Sacrament.  Typically, 1st grade would be considered Year 1 and 2nd grade would be considered Year 2.  During the 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).  Listed below are more ways to intentionally prepare your child for reception of the sacraments.

• Have faith conversations about what your child is learning in his or her catechesis sessions either at school or in the parish and make sure your child attends as many of these sessions as possible.

• Joyfully and wholeheartedly participate in the sacrament preparation program (retreats and home based activities) with your child; as together you learn and reflect about God’s grace and merciful love.

• Give Sunday Mass the greatest priority in your family faith life.

• Participate in parish life, especially children’s ministry opportunities – Liturgy of the Word With Children, Liturgical Prayer Services during Catechesis Class time, Vacation Bible School.

• Pray together daily as a family.  Include prayers spoken aloud to aid your child’s heart to be open to receive the grace of the Sacraments.

• Make time for you and your child to share God’s love with others through service experiences.

Read the policies here: St. Theresa Parish Policies Reconciliation and Eucharist

Please register by Sunday, August 27th to ensure we can order enough materials for your child.
The program will begin with an information session on September 24th, details to be shared later in the summer.
Fees will be collected later this summer.  Sacrament Preparation is $100 per family plus an additional fee if you have more than one child participating. School families have already paid the fee through tuition.
REGISTER HERE FOR SACRAMENT PREPARATION
PAY THE FEE HERE