Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church has a two year preparation program for First Holy Communion (also known as First Eucharist) and First Reconciliation preparation. Why? Because the mysteries of the Eucharist and Reconciliation require that the child have a deep foundation in order to understand & fully receive the Sacraments.
We offer an approach that is centered on the family and their journey with the child in sacramental preparation and faith formation. Rather than weekly classes in a classroom setting, parents guide their children in weekly study for 30–45 minutes at home. A complete curriculum and resources are provided to each family, and a parish catechist is available to you to answer questions, to guide you in making this special time with your children fruitful and enriching, and to track the progress of your child through the preparation.
Once per month, at least one parent and their student are required to attend class with the parish catechist and other families in your group where special topics are emphasized, fun activities are included, assignment assessments collected for the month, and opportunity is given to ask questions and share experiences.
A family-centered approach deepens the role the domestic church plays in the faith formation of each child, providing opportunities for the entire family to learn, pray, and grow in relationship with Christ. Providing flexibility for instruction in the home with fewer class sessions is also intended to reduce the burden on busy families for whom weekly classes can become more a burden than a joy. The support of your parish catechist and other families in your group offers opportunities to connect your experiences as a family with the body of Christ and to find resources to assist you as you prepare your child for their encounter with Christ through the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
We offer an approach that is centered on the family and their journey with the child in sacramental preparation and faith formation. Rather than weekly classes in a classroom setting, parents guide their children in weekly study for 30–45 minutes at home. A complete curriculum and resources are provided to each family, and a parish catechist is available to you to answer questions, to guide you in making this special time with your children fruitful and enriching, and to track the progress of your child through the preparation.
Once per month, at least one parent and their student are required to attend class with the parish catechist and other families in your group where special topics are emphasized, fun activities are included, assignment assessments collected for the month, and opportunity is given to ask questions and share experiences.
A family-centered approach deepens the role the domestic church plays in the faith formation of each child, providing opportunities for the entire family to learn, pray, and grow in relationship with Christ. Providing flexibility for instruction in the home with fewer class sessions is also intended to reduce the burden on busy families for whom weekly classes can become more a burden than a joy. The support of your parish catechist and other families in your group offers opportunities to connect your experiences as a family with the body of Christ and to find resources to assist you as you prepare your child for their encounter with Christ through the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
.Registration for 2022-2023 will begin on July 15, 2022!
First Grade, Year 1: At-home Family Formation and monthly in-person Formation sessions.
Second Sunday of the month*, 12:15 - 1:45 p.m. Pizza lunch will be provided!
Second Grade, Year 2: At-home Family Formation and monthly in-person Formation sessions.
Second Sundays of the month*, 12:15 - 1:45 p.m. Pizza lunch will be provided!
* - Some in-person Formation sessions will be scheduled differently because of holy days / school schedules / etc., but we do our best to schedule as many Family Formation sessions on the 2nd Sunday of the month.
Catch-Up for Sacramental Preparation, Grades 3-5: Weekly family formation at home and monthly parent/catechist meetings (with fun events for the whole group as well!).
Empowering God’s Children (Prevention Education Class) schedule for students 2022-23
First Grade, Year 1: At-home Family Formation and monthly in-person Formation sessions.
Second Sunday of the month*, 12:15 - 1:45 p.m. Pizza lunch will be provided!
Second Grade, Year 2: At-home Family Formation and monthly in-person Formation sessions.
Second Sundays of the month*, 12:15 - 1:45 p.m. Pizza lunch will be provided!
* - Some in-person Formation sessions will be scheduled differently because of holy days / school schedules / etc., but we do our best to schedule as many Family Formation sessions on the 2nd Sunday of the month.
Catch-Up for Sacramental Preparation, Grades 3-5: Weekly family formation at home and monthly parent/catechist meetings (with fun events for the whole group as well!).
Empowering God’s Children (Prevention Education Class) schedule for students 2022-23
- Sunday, October 16 - 12:00 p.m., Bishop England H.S.
- If you prefer for your child to not to attend this class, please make certain you choose that option found on the registration form.
Year 1First Communion preparation begins in the first grade. If your child does not attend a Catholic school, they will need to participate in First Communion Year 1 preparation and miss no more than TWO monthly sessions to advance to Year 2. If your child attends a Catholic school, their school's religion classes will count as their Year 1 preparation.
All students and families are required to participate in Mass every weekend and on Holy Days of Obligation.
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Catholic School Students
The Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation) initiate a child into the life of the Church. For this reason, children receive Sacraments in their home parish (which may or may not be where they attend school). Because Catholic schools do much of the preparation for First Communion and First Reconciliation, Catholic school students are only required to join four (4) of the eight (8) monthly Family Formation sessions in Year Two. However, we welcome and encourage Catholic school students to attend as many sessions as they can so that they can build community with other students and get the most out of their sacramental preparation! Important Requirements:
Non-Catholic School Students
Year 2 Non-Catholic school students participate in First Communion preparation with their families at home and meet together monthly for Family Formation sessions throughout the year. Important Requirements:
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Home-School Students
We ask students who are home-schooled using a Catholic curriculum to present texts of the curriculum for prior year and current year formation to the Director of Child Formation and register in the Catholic School class. Important Requirements:
Older Students in Need of First Communion Preparation
Non-Catholic School Students: If your child is in second grade but has no prior year of Faith Formation, they will need to first complete First Communion Year 1 preparation. Please register them for First Communion Year I. If your child is in third through fifth grade, please register them for Catch-Up for Sacramental Preparation. Catholic School Students: If your child is in third through fifth grades at a Catholic school, they are not required to participate in Year 1 preparation. They should register for First Communion Year 2 Catholic School. However, if they would like to prepare for their sacraments alongside other 3rd-5th graders, please speak to T.J. Cofield (tj@clare.church) about Catch-Up for Sacramental Preparation. Middle School and High School Students:
Please contact Fernando Cartagena, Director of Youth Formation. These students will prepare for the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation through our Youth Formation program. |
Questions about First Holy Communion preparation
for children through Fifth Grade?
Please contact T.J. Cofield, Director of Child Formation.
for children through Fifth Grade?
Please contact T.J. Cofield, Director of Child Formation.
Save the Dates
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Monthly Family Formation Sessions
Suggested Attendance Dates for Catholic Families in Year 2:
Because Catholic School students in Year 2 are only required to attend four (4) of the eight (8) Family Formation Sessions, these dates are recommended so that their attendance will be balanced throughout the formation year. However, we encourage each and every Catholic School student to attend as many sessions as they can so that they form friendships with their fellow First Communicants and get as much as they can out of this experience! |
Special Dates
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To register your child/children for First Communion Prep, click here.
