First The Archbishop of Milwaukee, in accordance with Canon Law, mandates that, before a child can enter the First Eucharist preparation process, they must complete the preparation for First Reconciliation. That is why the preparation for both sacraments takes place in second grade, with First Reconciliation in the fall and First Eucharist in the spring.
Here at St. Robert Parish, the preparation for these two sacraments is done in an all-parish program involving families whose children attend parochial school and those whose children attend public school. It is a family-centered program in which parents play a very important role in their child's formation. It consists of three major components:
I. Large Group Preparation Sessions
The large group preparation sessions usually take place on Sunday mornings and require both the children and their parents to participate. These sessions begin with hospitality. After an opening prayer, participants are lead through presentations and activities which are meant to stimulate guide discussions about faith at the tables.
II. Home Study Materials
In both programs, much of the material will be sent home to be done by the families. The idea is to help families create opportunities to pray, to discuss and to do activities that nurture their children's faith.
III. Liturgical Celebrations
The culmination of both of these preparation processes is the celebration of the sacrament in a community liturgical celebration. First Reconciliation is celebrated at a special service on a Saturday morning in December and First Eucharist celebrated at one of the weekend masses in the month of May. It is important for parents to consider that although getting their children to the celebration of their First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is important, it is just as important that their children view this as just the beginning of celebrating these sacraments regularly.
First Eucharist Preparation Schedule Spring 2009
Event Date Time Location
Parent Information Meeting Wednesday, January 14 7:00 pm Reilly Hall*
(please do not bring your children)
Parent/Child Preparation Session I Sunday, February 8 9:45-10:45 am Reilly Hall
Parent/Child Preparation Session II Sunday, March 8 9:45-10:45 am Reilly Hall
Mass of the Lord’s Supper Thursday, April 9 7:00 pm Church A Walk Through the Mass Wednesday, April 22 6:30 pm Church
Parent- Child Session III Wednesday, April 29 6:00 pm Church First Eucharist Practice
Celebration of First Eucharist May 2 & 3 Church
*Reilly Hall is located in the basement of St. Robert School and was formerly called the MPR (Multi-Purpose Room). For more information about the First Eucharist Preparation Program, please call Dan Hull at 332-1164 Ext. 3012.
