We offer a special time to prepare children for their First Communion. Parents are welcome to join the recollection and assist to the classes.
Schedule
10:00 am Introduction
Welcome - Visit to the Blessed Sacrament
10:20 am Instruction on Communion I
State of Grace - Desire - Fast - Thanksgiving
11:00 am Confession | Mass
12:00 am Instruction on Communion II
Visit of the Sacristy - Practice of Communion
12:30 am Imposition of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Blessing - Imposition - One decade of the Rosary
The pages of the Gospel show clearly how special the love for children which Christ showed while He was on earth. It was His delight to be in their midst; He was wont to lay His hands on them; He embraced them; and He blessed them. At the same time He was not pleased when they would be driven away by the disciples, whom He rebuked gravely with these words: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for of such is the kingdom of God." - Quam Singuari, Pius X.
Frequent Asked Questions
What does my child need to do in order to receive First Communion?
The family must be registered in the parish
The child must be baptized and familiar with weekly assistance to Mass.
Each child must be enrolled in and attending ongoing Catechism Classes.
This includes an approved Catholic school and/or consistent attendance at our Sunday Catechism Program. Sacramental preparation is a 1-year process at St. Thomas More.
Each child (with a parent) must attend the Confession and Communion Recollections.
Each child must have reached the age of reason (7 years old).
Each child must have received the Sacrament of Penance prior to receiving their First Communion.
A physical or digital copy of the child’s baptismal certificate needs to be turned in to the parish office.
When is the First Communion?
Typically, the reception of First Communion takes place on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, during the 9:30am High Mass. Following Mass, a procession in honor of the Blessed Sacrament takes place in which the children participate. The Procession concludes in the church. A group picture is taken with the priest and the servers outside the church.
What should my child wear?
Boys should wear a suit or dress pants and a sport coat with a white dress shirt. Tie and dress shoes are required. Please do not give your child anything else to carry during Mass than their missal.
Girls should wear a modest, all-white dress with white dress shoes and a white veil. No bare shoulders. They may wear white fold-down dress socks or white/tan hose. First Communion veils are encouraged. Please do not give your child anything to carry during Mass than their missal.
Can I take pictures?
Each family will have the opportunity to take pictures after Mass on Communion day with Father. Pictures during the Mass are discouraged.
Can I reserve seats for the family?
Yes, the front pews will be reserved for family members at the First Communion Mass.
In 1910, Pope St. Pius X, with his decree Quam Singulari, declared that children who have reached the “age of reason” (around seven years old) should be permitted to receive the Holy Eucharist. He hoped "that children even from their tender years may be united to Jesus Christ, may live His life, and obtain protection from all danger of corruption.”
1. The age of discretion, both for Confession and for Holy Communion, is the time when a child begins to reason, that is about the seventh year, more or less. From that time on begins the obligation of fulfilling the precept of both Confession and Communion.
2. A full and perfect knowledge of Christian doctrine is not necessary either for First Confession or for First Communion. Afterward, however, the child will be obliged to learn gradually the entire Catechism according to his ability.
3. The knowledge of religion which is required in a child in order to be properly prepared to receive First Communion is such that he will understand according to his capacity those Mysteries of faith which are necessary as a means of salvation and that he can distinguish between the Bread of the Eucharist and ordinary, material bread, and thus he may receive Holy Communion with a devotion becoming his years.
4. The obligation of the precept of Confession and Communion which binds the child particularly affects those who have him in charge, namely, parents, confessors, teachers, and the Pastor. It belongs to the father, or the person taking his place, and to the confessor, according to the Roman Catechism, to admit a child to his First Communion.
5. The pastor should announce and hold a General Communion of the children once a year or more often, and he should on these occasions admit not only the First Communicants but also others who have already approached the Holy Table. Some days of instruction and preparation should be previously given to children.
6. Those who have charge of the children should zealously see to it that after their First Communion, these children frequently approach the Holy Table, even daily if possible, as Jesus Christ and Mother Church desire, and let this be done with a devotion becoming their age. They must also bear in mind that a very grave duty obliged them to have the children attend the public Catechism classes; if this is not done, then they must supply religious instruction in some other way.
