Children who have reached the age of the use of reason are catechized for the celebration and reception of First Eucharist.

Catechesis shall provide developmental instruction according to age levels to lead children to an understanding of the Church’s teachings about the mystery of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. In this way, children will be able to receive the Lord in the Eucharist with faith and devotion and actively participate in the Eucharistic celebration.

A Sacrament is an outward sign of an invisible reality – that is, something we cannot see. The invisible reality of a sacrament is God’s presence and action. Here are important things to know about sacraments:

• Sacraments are grace, a sharing in God’s own life, and friendship.
• The sacraments are actions of God and the Church.
• God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are always at work in the sacraments.
• Sacraments are communal, meant to be celebrated and shared with all the faithful.

Implementation

1. Catechesis for the celebration and reception for First Eucharist includes instruction in the symbols and parts of the Mass that lead the children to active participation in the Eucharistic celebration.
2. The parish offers catechesis to parents who have children preparing for the celebration and reception of First Eucharist. Parental catechesis assists parents in fulfilling the primary role of nurturing the faith of their children.
3. The pastor determines whether a child is sufficiently prepared and has the right intention for the celebration and reception of First Eucharist.
4. Since the Sacrament of the Eucharist is an integral part of the initiation process, verification of the reception of the Sacrament of Baptism is to be obtained and a record of the First Eucharist is to be kept in the parish of reception.

The basic understanding that a child needs to know is that the bread and wine do indeed become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ (Transubstantiation) and that Jesus Christ is truly present within us.

Second, the child must be sufficiently prepared to receive the Eucharist with appropriate respect and reverence.

Preparation includes the following expectations so that your child will be spiritually prepared to receive the Holy Eucharist:

• It is reasonable to expect that your child has been participating in Sunday Liturgy, on a regular basis.
• It is reasonable to expect that your child has been participating in the religious formation program, and will continue to do so.
• It is reasonable to expect that your child is beginning to know the responses and the prayers of the liturgy, in particular, the Our Father, the Holy, Holy, Holy acclamation, the memorial acclamation, and the Great Amen.
• It is reasonable to expect that prayer is a part of your child’s life and is experienced within the family as well as within the church community.
• It is reasonable to expect that your child has the capacity for the reverence that is necessary for sharing in the Eucharist.
• It is reasonable to expect that your child understands that when we receive Holy Communion, we are to try and become more like Jesus in the way we treat people and our willingness to share and be of service to others.

For more information, please call the Parish Office at (248) 446-8700.

First Eucharist Photography

​Parents, family, and friends are welcome to take photographs and video from your spot in the pews, but we ask that you do not approach the altar to avoid interfering with the rite.

Prints and pictures from previous ceremonies are available on the Photographer's website