... the Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being.

                                          -CCC, nos. 1325

Origin and Names of the Mystery of Christ’s Memorial

First Communion/Eucharist

Why Sacramental Preparation?

Sacramental Preparation Model

When does the sacramental Preparation Program Begin?

Session calendar

Origin and Names of the Mystery of Christ's Memorial

The origins of the Eucharist are found in the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his Apostles. “In order to leave them a pledge of his love, Passover, he instituted the Eucharist as the memorial of his death and Resurrection and commanded his apostles to celebrate it until his return; ‘thereby he constituted them priests of the New Testament’” (CCC, no.1337, citing Council of Trent: DS 1740).

So rich is this mystery that we have a number of terms to illustrate its saving grace: the Breaking of the Bread; the Lord’s Supper; the Eucharistic Assembly; the Memorial of Christ’s passion, Death, and Resurrection; the Holy sacrifice of the Mass, the Holy and Divine Liturgy; the Eucharistic Liturgy; Holy Communion; and Holy Mass (cf. CCC, nos. 1328-1332).

Therefore, Holy Communion is the reception of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. More generally, it is our fellowship and union with Jesus and other baptized Christians in the Church, which has its source and summit in the celebration of the Eucharist. In this sense, Church as communion is the deepest vocation of the Church. (CCC, nos. 1382, 959)

First Communion/Eucharist

First Communion/Eucharist is one of the three sacraments of initiation. The process of preparation for first communion is our opportunity to help children to form strong life long habits as Catholics.

Initiating people into the faith community is a major focus of parish life. Parents approach the Church to baptize their children and in later years bring them again to celebrate confirmation and first communion.

Why Sacramental Preparation

To participate in the Mass, we need to resist a tendency to passivity when gathered in an audience-like setting. At Mass, we are an assembly of believers called to be a community joined in the praise and worship of God. We are called to offer our bodies as sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Not simply our flesh and bones, but rather our very selves – spiritual sacrifice.

As children approach the sacrament of the Eucharist, they are in the early stages of their spiritual journey. In the preparation of our first communicants, catechist and parents aid in their journey and self transformation. Only Jesus can transform us into himself. But it is through the aid of sacramental preparation that Jesus can become present in their immediate lives. Our inner receptivity is critical. To receive love, we need to be open to it. The sacrificial gift of self at every Mass is the best way to be continuously transformed into Christ. Then in Christ we become bread for the world’s bodily and spiritual hungers.

Eucharistic Sacramental Preparation is not only for “first time” Eucharist; more importantly, it is a preparation for a lifetime of being nourished at the table of the Lord. Preparation for the sacrament, then, is not only about cognitive learning but very significantly about a period of spiritual preparation.

Sacramental Preparation Model

At St. John’s we do your utmost to provide an opportunity for our young people and their parents to experience, the noted “lifetime of being nourished.” Our program is designed to promote a learning environment that caters to their spiritual needs as people of God. St. John’s Sacramental Preparation sessions subscribe to the following as its model:

Child Model

• Child sessions are supplemented with parent meetings.
• Trained catechists are leaders in our child sessions.

Parent/Child Model

• Parents and Children meet together in a family cluster setting.
• Parents and children meet together for part of the session, and children meet with catechist for part of the session.
• Parents meet together and are required to attend all sessions as a means to help families pass on the faith.

At-Home Model

• Parents and children participate in preparation sessions at home.
• Parents and children participate in weekly Sunday Mass, experiencing the mystery of Christ with the Church family.

When does the Sacramental Preparation Program begin?

NOTE: First Eucharist preparation follows sacramental preparation for Reconciliation. This is a year long preparation plan with Reconciliation preparation at the start. Click here for Reconciliation information.

Normally, in August of your child’s 7th or 8th birthday year, you will receive a letter explaining that the sessions are about to begin. All information about your child is taken from our census data base. If you have not received a letter from us it may mean that we do not have you in our census or our information about your family is incorrect. If you did not receive a letter please call the Director of Family Ministry (Kevin) at 387-6928.

The Eucharistic sessions run from January to about May or April, depending upon the calendar year, concluding with the rite of first communion. You can expect to participate in at least six sessions. First Eucharist is celebrated during Mass as a community praising, thanking and listening to God. First Eucharist sacramental preparation is supplemental to the parish Faith Formation program: Generations of Faith or religion classes at Notre Dame Elementary.

If you would like to become a Sacramental Catechist please call Kevin Kroeber at 387-6928 or email him.

Click here for the First Eucharist session calendar.

We offer nursery as an option for parents who need child care.