First Eucharist
Sacramental Guidelines

First Eucharist Session Schedule

THEOLOGICAL AND CANONICAL FOUNDATIONS
FOR THE SACRAMENT OF EUCHARIST

As children reach the age of reason, generally around age seven, the Church extends to them an invitation to celebrate the sacrament of Eucharist, the Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation. Adequate spiritual and catechetical formation is to be provided so that children, according to their age and capacity, have sufficient knowledge and appreciation of the sacrament they are to receive. Preparation will include proper catechesis regarding, and preparation for, the sacrament of penance, which normally precedes the celebration of Eucharist. The responsibility to determine an individual child’s readiness to receive Communion for the first time belongs to parents, catechists, and the parish priest or parish director. Children commonly participate in either a Catholic elementary day school or a parish religious education program for at least one year prior to immediate preparation for this sacrament. This on-going catechesis, together with formation parents provide in the home, forms the foundation upon which the immediate catechesis for First Eucharist can be built (Sacramental Guidelines, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Second Edition, 1996, 25-27).

With this foundation in mind, Lumen Christi Catholic Church asks the following of parents and candidates for First Eucharist:

1. Family membership in our parish.
2. Weekly family participation in liturgy.
3. Attendance at Sunday or Wednesday Lumen Christi Child Ministry classes
or attendance at Lumen Christi Catholic School.
4. Specific registration in the First Eucharist program at the Family Session.
5. Your child’s participation in the Family and Student Sessions
as outlined on the First Eucharist schedule.
6. Parent(s)’ participation in the Family Session
as outlined on the First Eucharist schedule.
7. Your child’s completion of the First Eucharist textbook (obtained at registration) at home with parent(s)’ guidance.
8. Your child’s participation in a Catholic formation program the previous year. (The Grade One curriculum should have been completed through the Child Ministry program, through a Catholic school, or through registration in the Home Schooling program).