“The Eucharist is the center and heart of Christian life for both the universal and local church and for each Christian. All that belongs to Christian life leads to the Eucharistic celebration or flows from it.” (120) Sharing the Light of Faith, National Catechetical Directory for Catholics of the U.S.
Among the most important insights expressed in the National Catechetical Directory about the eucharistic initiation of children (preparation for First Eucharist) is that such initiation is a shared responsibility. “As for children, their parents, catechists, and pastors are responsible for determining when they are ready to receive First Communion.” (122)
Because of its communal nature parents alone cannot fulfill the responsibility of initiating their children into the Eucharist. We recognize this and incorporate not only parents but also the Parish staff, prayer partners, catechists, Liturgical Ministers, and the entire worshipping community. The preparation process at St. Jerome recognizes the diverse but complementary roles that must be fulfilled if children are to grow in faith.
We emphasize the need for parents to be actively involved in the preparation process. Faith Formation is not simply a matter of handing on religious facts but initiating deeper into the faith, attitudes and values of the Christian community. Young children learn attitudes and values through identification with those adults influential in their lives. For that reason we affirm that parents are the first teachers of their children. Parents teach informally but powerfully by example and instruction.
“They communicate values and attitudes by showing love for Christ and his Church and for each other, by reverently receiving the Eucharist and living its spirit and by fostering justice and love in their relationship. Parents nurture faith in their children by showing them the richness and beauty of lived faith.” (212)
Because parents are the primary educators of their children in ways of faith, when children are presented to the church for First Eucharist, it is the parents who must be actively living the faith, including what the church has traditionally called PRECEPTS. First among these is participation at the Sunday Mass on a weekly basis. This is the Lord’s Day for the Christian. It is kept holy by celebrating the Memorial Meal and Sacrifice mandated by Jesus.
When this active practice of the Catholic faith is lacking, Eucharist preparation may be postponed until there is the necessary assurance that the reception of this sacrament will be the beginning of a weekly practice.
Children wishing to begin the preparation process for First Eucharist must meet the following criteria:
| 1. | Be baptized and already practicing the Catholic faith at a level appropriate to their age. |
| 2. | Have a desire to enter into the process. |
| 3. | Have completed one year of PSR (parish school of religion), parochial school, or home study and be currently enrolled and participating in one of these options. |
| 4. | Have completed the First Penance preparation and celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation. |
Preparation will include: