YOUTH BAPTISM & FIRST EUCHARIST (COMMUNION) AGES 7 – 14
Elementary school-aged children who wish to be baptized in the Catholic Church participate in a two-year preparation process that parallels the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process. After at least two years of preparation (which could take longer depending on each child’s readiness and desire), the child will be baptized and receive First Eucharist at the same time. This requires faithful participation in Religious Education classes at the child’s grade level throughout the process.
- First Year:
- The first year focuses on the child participating fully with his/her peers in Catholic life.
- The child learns how to converse about God and their experiences with God and the Catholic Church.
- Weekly participation in Mass is expected for the entire family.
- Second Year:
- Participation in all Parent/Child classes is required.
The Sacraments are celebrated as part of a weekend mass during the Easter Season.
FIRST EUCHARIST (COMMUNION) AGES 7 – 14
St. John the Baptist Parish offers preparation for First Eucharist (Communion) and First Reconciliation (Confession) for children starting as early as first grade. The preparation for these two Sacraments requires at least two years of faithful participation in Religious Education classes at the child’s grade level.
- First Year:
- The first year focuses on integrating the child into Catholic life with their peers.
- Weekly participation in Mass is expected for the entire family.
- Second Year:
- There are additional classes for parents and children together to focus on the Sacrament to be received. These classes are usually held on Monday evenings as part of the Parish Adult and Family Formation. They are advertised in the bulletin and the Religious Education Monthly Newsletter.
- Participation in all Parent/Child classes is required.
- Sacrament Celebrations:
- First Reconciliation: Scheduled early in Lent on a Saturday morning.
- First Communion: Celebrated as part of a weekend Mass during the Easter Season.
CATECHISM ON THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST
The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice through the Eucharist.
“At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of His Body and Blood. This He did to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until He should come again, and to entrust to His beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of His death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.'” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1322-1323).
To understand more about the Catechism on the Sacrament of the Eucharist you can print out our “Understanding the Sacrament of the Eucharist” resource paper. This resource provides comprehensive insights and explanations to help deepen your knowledge of this foundational sacrament.