FIRST EUCHARIST GUIDELINES
Archdiocesan guidelines state that religious readiness
for celebration of this sacrament should be based not
only on chronological age and school grade but also on
the child’s preparedness to encounter Christ in this
sacramental celebration. The child’s readiness for
the celebration of each sacrament is to be determined
by the child, the parent, who is the primary educator
of his/her child, and the pastor or his delegate.
(NCD 122, Archdiocesan Policy, 9/18/85). If
the parent, catechist, pastor, or his delegate deems
the child is NOT sufficiently prepared or there is not
a sincere commitment to receive the sacrament, it may
be recommended to the child and the parent(s) that
celebration of the sacrament be postponed. (C.914,
GDC Add. 4) However, the preparation of the child
to receive the sacrament should continue so that the
postponement is a relatively short period of time.
New parishioners who move into the parish must get a
letter from their former parish letting us know that
the child has been involved in life long faith
formation prior to transferring to St. Augustine.
The most common age to celebrate First Eucharist is in
the 2nd grade. If your child is passed the
second grade in the celebration of sacraments, see the
section on RCIA for children.
Children attending Catholic School who are
parishioners of St. Augustine will be required to
attend the Sacramental classes provided by the Life
Long Faith Formation Program. And the reception of the
Sacrament is done with in the Parish Community
celebration. Children at St. Augustine Catholic School
wishing to receive the Sacrament at St. Augustine must
ask their Pastor at their Parish for a letter
permitting them to prepare and celebrate the Sacrament
at St. Augustine.
Requirements for all students in First Eucharist
preparation include:
1)
Weekly Attendance at Sunday
Eucharist.
2)
Parents attend the Parent Meetings
and classes scheduled.
3)
A
copy of the child’s Baptismal Certificate for the
permanent file by the 1st day of class.
4)
NO absences. If absence occurs,
parents will be responsible for teaching the lesson
to the child and the child must prove knowledge of
that lesson to director.
5)
Knowing all the required prayers.
(see Prayer Requirements section)
There are additional requirements for this sacrament
that are explained during the parent orientation
meetings that are held at the beginning of the
catechetical year. Please check with LFF office for
further information.
