First Eucharist - Parents Guide (PDF)

Diocesan Directives for the Preparation for the Sacrament of Eucharist

The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” All other sacraments are connected and oriented toward the Eucharist. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1324)
Catholic Eucharistic doctrine focuses on two major aspects: the sacrificial nature of the Mass and the real presence of Christ in the consecrated elements of bread and wine.Catholic theology has always seen a link between the Eucharist as a memorial, a celebration of the death of the Lord, and a sacrifice offered both by the community of believers and by Christ.

The real presence of Jesus is fundamental to the understanding of the Eucharist in the Catholic tradition. Christ is present in the faithful gathered in His name, in the Word as the Scriptures are read and explained, in the person of the minister, and in a unique way under the species of the Eucharist.

Eucharist is also the sacrament of the Church’s unity. In Eucharist, the Church becomes most fully itself. It is visible in the assembly which listens to God’s word, breaks bread, and shares the cup until He comes. In Eucharist we celebrate our life together as a community, the presence of Christ in our midst, the Word that is proclaimed and explained, and the paschal mystery of life, death and resurrection. We celebrate our unity with Christ in communion and service.

Eucharist in not an isolated event in the individual’s life. It is a step in the process of growth in life. The active presence of Christ demands change and conversion in graced stages where God touches us in special ways. Eucharist is the heart of Christian life.

In addition to the sacrificial and atonement aspects of the Eucharist, Vatican II reminded us of the biblical notion of the Eucharist as a meal. The Mass is the community’s celebration of unity. It is a sacrament of initiation into the community as well as a symbol of the worshipping community. The most frequent theme found in conciliar documents concerning the Eucharist is unity. The Church is the Body of Christ, and in the Eucharist, the Church is called to live out this reality.

Diocese of Buffalo Policy Statement

A. Readiness for the Reception of First Eucharist
Readiness - not chronological age or school grade - will determine a child's preparedness to encounter Christ in a sacramental celebration:

· Knowledge of the mysteries of faith according to his/her ability.
· Desire to participate in the community’s liturgy and receive Eucharist with some degree of regularity.
· Willingness to participate in the process of immediate preparation.
· Capacity to hear and respond to the Gospel stories of Jesus who loves and cares for us and who invites our friendship.
· Capacity to be aware of one’s affiliation with the community through baptism.
· Ability to participate in Eucharistic celebration (e.g. simple responses, reverence, attention, etc.).
· Able to distinguish between ordinary bread and Eucharist.
· Ability to express some desire to receive Jesus.
· Readiness through the completion of a defined First Eucharist curriculum and understanding of the prescribed concepts commensurate with the child's level of development and experience, age/maturity.
· Individuals with disabilities are to be given special consideration. (See U.S. Bishops' Guidelines for

Celebration of the Sacraments With Persons With Disabilities Section II #19-21)

B. Pastoral Considerations
Catechesis for children must always respect the natural disposition, ability, age, and circumstances of individuals. It seeks first to make clear the relationship of the sacrament to the child's life. (National Catechetical Directory #126)
· Adequate and meaningful catechesis and experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation must precede the first reception of Eucharist.
· Catechesis must include instruction on the Mass as well as on the various concepts implied in celebration of the Eucharist.
· Catechesis for First Eucharist is conducted separately from introductory catechesis for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, since each sacrament deserves its own concentrated preparation. (National Catechetical Directory #122)
· Generally children will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving First Eucharist; yet caution should be exercised so that no child is forced to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before he/she receives First Eucharist. Equal caution should be exercised to see that the sacrament is not denied to one who desires it. (Canons 914, 988, 989)
· Adequate preparation for First Eucharist requires at least 6-12 months of catechesis.
· Parents have a right and duty to be intimately involved in preparing their children for First Eucharist. Catechesis aims to help parents grow in understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist and participate readily in catechizing their children. (National Catechetical Directory #122)
· The decision as to when a child is ready to celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time is a decision which rests primarily with parents in consultation with the catechist and priest who will administer the sacrament. (Canon 914)

C. Diocesan Policies
1. A parish sacramental program should bring together the Catholic, private, and public school children and those being home schooled for at least six sessions. There should also be an opportunity for catechesis with their parents/guardians.

Considerations:
· The parish based sacramental preparation program involves liturgical celebrations, parent meetings, days of prayer, acts of service and other appropriate experiences.
· Great care should be taken to ensure that these sessions do not conflict with the regular Catholic school religious education program or the parish religious education program. This calls for collaboration on the part of the pastor, principal, director of religious education, and catechetical leaders.
· The parish preparation program for the reception of a sacrament should be clearly communicated by the parish to families, school, and the religious education program.

2. The children's first reception of a sacrament is to take place in their parish unless special permission is granted by the pastor of the home parish.

Considerations:

· The actual celebration of the sacrament should be a parish event, as much as possible, and not just an event for school or religious education students and their parents.
· Later celebrations of Eucharist may take place within the Catholic school religious education program or the parish religious education program.
· Children in the RCIA process will be prepared for the sacrament within their catechumenate sessions.

D. U.S. Bishops' Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments for Persons With Disabilities
The following guidelines offering "a set of general principles to provide access to the sacraments for persons with disabilities" were approved by the U.S. Bishops in 1995.

General Principles:

· By reason of their baptism, all Catholics are equal in dignity in the sight of God and have the same divine calling.
· Catholics with disabilities have a right to participate in the sacraments as full functioning members of the local ecclesial community. (Canon 213) Ministers are not to refuse the sacraments to those who ask for them at appropriate times, who are properly disposed, and who are not prohibited by law from receiving them. (Canon 843.1)
· In accordance with Canon 777.4, pastors are to be as inclusive as possible in providing evangelization, catechetical formation, and sacramental preparation for parishioners with disabilities. Persons with disabilities, their advocates, and their families, as well as those knowledgeable in serving disabled persons can make a most valuable contribution to these programs. Parish catechetical and sacramental preparation programs may need to be adapted for some parishioners with disabilities. Further, parishes should encourage persons with disabilities to participate in all levels of pastoral ministry, according to their ability.

Every Christian community considers those who suffer handicaps, physical or mental, as well as other forms of disability—especially children—as persons particularly beloved of the Lord. A growth in social and ecclesial consciousness, together with undeniable progress in specialized pedagogy, makes it possible for the family and other formative centers to provide adequate catechesis for these people, who, as baptized, have this right and, if non-baptized, because they are called to salvation. The love of the Father for the weakest of his children and the continuous presence of Jesus and His Spirit give assurance that every person, however limited, is capable of growth in holiness. (General Directory for Catechesis #189)

N.B. The Diocese of Buffalo provides support services for pastors to facilitate the evangelization, catechetical formation, and sacramental preparation for parishioners with disabilities. (Please call, Department of Catholic Education, 847-5505)

E. The Sacrament of Eucharist and Christian Initiation
Since children who have reached the use of reason are considered, for purposes of Christian initiation, to be adults (Canon 852:1), their formation should follow the general pattern of the ordinary catechumenate as far as possible, with the appropriate adaptations permitted by the ritual. They should receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, together with the older catechumens.

Resources:

1. United States Catholic Conference Catechism of the Catholic Church, Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
Washington, DC, 1994.
2. Canon Law Society of America. The Code of Canon Law. Washington, DC, 1983.
3. Congregation for Divine Worship. August, 1970.
4. United States Catholic Conference. General Directory for Catechesis. Washington, DC, 1998.
5. Appendix III: National Statutes for the Catechumenate, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (Study Edition), Chicago, IL: Liturgy Training Publications, 1988.
6. NCCB. Sharing the Light of Faith, National Catechetical Directory for Catholics of the United States. Washington: USCC, 1979.