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Eucharist
Elements of the preparation for the
sacramental celebration of Reconciliation and Eucharist
As a child grows within a family, the Church assumes that the child is
also growing in faith within the context of an active relationship with
the local parish. This relationship is most importantly celebrated in
weekly mass. Participation in weekly liturgy provides your child
with the experience that they are part of a larger family connected to
and devoted to the praise of God in everyday life. Archdiocesan
guidelines expect that children prepare for and receive sacraments at
the parish where they attend weekly liturgy. If for some reason you are
not a family that participates in the weekly celebration of mass, as an
integral part of your faith life, now is the time to start.
There is an important relationship between the celebration of weekly
liturgy and the attendance at religious education class. The
celebration of Eucharist provides an experience that fosters questions
about the meaning of our faith. According to the Catechism of the
Catholic faith, this lived experience of liturgy is “the source and
summit of our faith.”(CCC 1324) In addition to parental formation,
religious education is the place where the weekly experience of liturgy
is explained and understood in relationship to the rest of our lives.
The Archbishop expects that parents are updated about sacraments as
their child comes to this preparation. This year we are implementing a
process where parent and child learn together. In this way the Church is
not separating or asking you to be away from your family. Instead, bring
the family with you! Attendance at the five large group gatherings
is designed to provide your family with an active way to grow together
in the celebration of Reconciliation and Eucharist. It is a time for
family activities, prayer, music, fun and festivity. We hope this will
be a positive enhancement for the sacramental process.
Basic Knowledge about the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist
is essential for each child to articulate his or her faith. This
knowledge is passed on first by the parents as they consciously present
to their children an understanding and appreciation for the sacramental
structure of the Catholic faith. This knowledge is further developed by
the child’s catechist each week in specific lessons that are designed to
enrich the basic education begun at home by parents.
Traditional Catholic prayers are considered very important as
they are the language used to help the child communicate faith while
giving the child a structure for communication with God. It is true that
people can pray without memorization. However, in times of difficulty,
it is not always easy to pray. Committing these prayers to memory early
in life provide the child a foundation from which other forms of prayer
will flow.
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