Therese Fenzl

The First Eucharist preparation process is, first and foremost, family-centered, recognizing the fact that there is no better or more effective catechist for a child than his or her parent(s). Its core is the book "The Gift of the Eucharist", which your child will be working on at home, with your guidance and support. Since we are not a collection of individuals but a community, the process involves meetings and events that will serve to deepen the faith and the understanding of the whole family. The process is fromeptember until May. It is required that your child has been baptized and be participating in his or her second year in our Faith Formation Program. Participation in weekly Faith Formation classes or in the Family Program or Family Faith Communities is required.

The program components are as follows:

• Information Meeting after registration
• An initial family interview, usually during the summer or fall
• Gathering in the fall and at the beginning of the new calendar year
• Meeting prior to the celebration of Sacrament of Reconciliation
• Celebration of Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent
• A Solemn Enrollment celebration
• A retreat day in the spring
• A final interview with your child (one parent must be present) upon completion of the process (usually in April)
• One rehearsal for the final celebration
• The First Eucharist celebration in April or May.