At St. Robert, the preparation for First Eucharist 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
Preparation sessions require the participation of both the children and their parents. Instructions and formation are provided at that time.
II. Home Study Materials
Much of the spiritual preparation for the sacrament is to be done by the families themselves. 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 this preparation processes is the celebration of the sacrament at a regular weekend liturgy on May 4 or 5, 2013 (with the exception of the Sunday, 5:30 pm Mass). It is important for parents to consider that, while their child's first celebration of the Eucharist is important, it is just as important that their children view this as just the beginning of celebrating this sacrament regularly.
First Eucharist Preparation Schedule for 2012-13
Thursday, January 17, 2013: Teaching Mass, 6:30 pm in the church
Thursday, February 21, 2013: Parent-Child Session, 6:30 pm at Holy FamilyTuesday, March 19, 2012: Preparation Session, 6:30 pm
Monday, April 15, 2013 - Banners and Books are Due
Wednesday, May 1, 2013: Rehearsals, as below:
6:00 pm: Rehearsal for the 4:30 pm Mass
6:30 pm: Rehearsal for the 8:30 am Mass
7:00 pm: Rehearsal for the 11:00 am Mass
May 4-5, 2013: Celebration of First Eucharist at weekend liturgies (4:30 pm, 8:30 am, and 11:00 am)
For more information about the First Eucharist Preparation Program, please call Gail DeFrancisco at 332-1164 Ext. 3032.
