"Do this in remembrance of me."  

The Sacrament of the Eucharist is one of the Sacraments of Initiation, those sacraments which welcome each of us into the Church as full-fledged members.  The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life, the spiritual food which binds us intimately with Christ Jesus, and the continuation of the Church's celebration of Jesus' Last Supper meal.

We all know how important First Eucharist is.  Families look forward to seeing their child receiving the consecrated bread for the first time. It is central to our tradition because it announces that this person can now do what everyone else does at Mass, come forward to be fed by God.  In the early Church, it was the final step of all.  Today it has become such a big event that often the celebration overshadows the reason for receiving the sacrament.  The purpose is to initiate the child into the Catholic faith.  It marks a step along the way of coming to know how closely God is involved in our lives.  God who gives us life itself, provides the very nourishment that will enable us to be good and holy (whole) human beings.  The First Eucharist Program at Our Lady of Sorrows parish is designed to help families give their children a way to experience faith as something they can recognize and grow with.

Faith Formation Program Preparations

Second grade is our parish Faith Formation Program's sacramental preparatory year.  All second grade students wishing to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist should register with the Office of Faith Formation prior to the start of the program year.  Once registered, students will participate in Faith Formation classes designed around preparing them for the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.  Students at Our Lady of Sorrows utilize the in-class curriculum Blest are We series by RCL Benziger. 

Although this sacrament is often received by children in second grade, older children who have not received this sacrament are welcome to participate.  Please contact Tzipora Stessman for more information.

Family Preparations

Families preparing for First Eucharist should try to establish two habits if they aren't already in place.

     First, come to Mass as often as possible.  Regular weekly Mass attendance is the goal.  If some pattern of regular Mass attendance is not established as a family habit, children will not really understand First Eucharist and will have little basis for practicing the faith as they get older.  If you value the sacraments enough to send your child to Faith Formation classes, then you have to consider a regular pattern of attendance at Mass to be a crucial part of the program.  The sacraments are not "one and done" occasions where we dress up for a day and parade through the church, never to return except for when we are eligible to receive the next sacrament.  We receive the sacraments with the intention of using them and benefiting from them in our daily lives.  During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, your family is encouraged to view the Mass on television or through the OLOS website if in-person Mass is not being offered or if you determine that attending Mass in person is not safe for your family.  Please click here for a link to the most recently recorded OLOS Mass.  

     Second, do some kind of prayer at home each day.  It could be a prayer in the morning, a meal prayer,  an evening or bedtime prayer.  The preferred choice for this year would be to say the Our Father because that prayer is the one that enables children to more fully participate in the Mass.  Your pattern should always be the same: begin with the Sign of the Cross, say the Our Father and end with the Sign of the Cross.  This is the pattern children are taught in our Faith Formation classes.  If your child already knows the Our Father by heart, then introducing them to a meal prayer or the Hail Mary would be a good next step.

First Eucharist Mini-Retreat 
There will be a mini-retreat for all children preparing to receive the sacrament of First Eucharist and their families in O'Connell Hall on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 2-4 pm, followed by Mass in the Church at 4:30 pm. At least one parent is required to attend the mini-retreat with their child.

Photo and Bible Orders
If permitted by COVID-19 public health precautions in force at the time, a professional photographer will take pictures during the First Eucharist celebrations.

Additionally, families have the opportunity to purchase a personalized Bible to commemorate their First Eucharist. Children will receive a New American Standard bible, personalized with their name and a special blessing on the inside.

Please stay tuned for more information regarding photo and Bible orders.

Rehearsals

First Eucharist rehearsals will take place from 6:30-8:30 pm in the church the Tuesday before the child's assigned First Communion Mass (Tuesday, April 30 or Tuesday, May 7, 2024). The rehearsal is a concrete practice and learning experience so children and parents will be comfortable and able to fully participate in the First Eucharist celebration.  We rehearse everything from the procession to actual reception of the bread used at Mass so that children will know what to expect.  A parent or one adult member of each child's family (that will be in the pew on the child's day of celebration) MUST attend.  


Celebration Dates

First Eucharists will be celebrated at 11 am on Saturday, May 4 and Saturday May 11, 2024.

Families should plan to arrive at the church 15-20 minutes ahead of their scheduled celebration Mass time.  Traditionally, children will process in from the main doors of the Church and then sit with their families.  Each family will have a full pew reserved for their use, and designated general seating areas will be available for all family members who cannot fit in the marked pew.  Guidance will be provided to all families and extended members as they enter the Church at each celebration.  There will be worship booklets that give all the prayers, songs and responses so that everyone can fully participate in each celebration.  These practices are subject to change as necessary to comply with any COVID-19 public health precautions in force at the time.

Dress Code
Girls and boys should dress nicely and reverently in their "Sunday best" for this occasion.  While girls often choose to wear white communion dresses, they are not required to.  Girls' shoulders should be covered (with sleeves or a sweater).  Boys should wear a jacket and tie or, if appropriate and desired by the family, clothing which reflects the child's cultural heritage.

Many families have donated their First Communion dresses and suits after their child received the sacrament.  If you would like to look at the outfits, please contact Tzipora Stessman.

Baptismal Record
A baptismal record should have been supplied when registering a child for Faith Formation classes.  If one has not been provided, OLOS must receive a copy of a baptismal certificate for each child prior to May 1st, 2024.  If you need to submit (or are unsure as to whether you have already submitted) a copy of your child's Baptismal certificate, please contact Lynn Jacobs in the main office: 784-781-2265.