Sacramental Preparation for Children

In order for a child to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion, two years of Faith Formation are required.  Children must be enrolled for first and second grade in order to receive these sacraments in second grade.  If your child is entering second grade and was not participating in a faith formation program the previous year, parents must purchase a first grade workbook and complete it at home.  This can be completed over the summer or concurrently with attendance in second grade classes.  The workbook must be completed and returned prior to the reception of the sacrament of First Reconciliation.

Children older than second grade who have not received the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion must participate in either the RCIC or Special Sacraments programs.  Please see descriptions below.

You are your child’s first catechist.  Our family-oriented Faith Formation program is here to help you.  It is God’s plan for a child to learn from his or her parents.  God chose you to be the parent of your child and He gives you specific grace to be a good parent.  You may be concerned that you do not know enough about your Catholic faith to teach your child.  In the Gospel, Jesus tells us “Be not afraid.”  Participate in the various parent and family sessions that are available.  Have confidence that they Holy Spirit will give you the grace to learn what you need to know.  You can learn together with your child!  Remember that learning our faith is a lifelong journey.

First Reconciliation

Also known as Confession or Penance, the Sacrament of Reconciliation helps you and your child to grow in holiness.  As parents, it is very important for you to foster a love for this sacrament.  In Reconciliation, we encounter the mercy and love of Christ.  By your example of receiving this sacrament often, your child will learn that this sacrament both heals us and helps us to love out our Catholic faith in our daily lives.  Reconciliation teaches us that with God’s grace we may overcome sin and grow in virtue.  Please help your child to understand the beauty of this merciful gift.

For the following schedule information, click here

• Parent Session – During the second week of October, 2^nd grade parent meetings will be held during each weekday session of Faith Formation and attendance is required.  Parents whose children are preparing for First Reconciliation must attend one of these parent meetings.  Please make arrangements for younger children when you attend one of these meetings.  If childcare is needed, please contact the Children’s Ministry office to find out which sessions will have childcare available.

• Family Learning Centers – The First Reconciliation Learning Centers will be available during the week of January 2.  The various activities at these centers will provide families with an opportunity to participate in hands-on activities that will provide new ways to share their faith as the participants learn about reconciliation.  Participation in the Learning Centers is expected.

• First Reconciliation Workshop – Scheduled for November 13, attendance at the First Reconciliation workshop is mandatory.  One adult must attend the workshop with the child.  Families will come together as a community to participate in hands-on activities that reinforce the lessons that have been taught in class in a fun and engaging way.

First Holy Communion

This sacrament is also known as the Eucharist or the Blessed Sacrament.  The Eucharist is the source and summit of all of our sacraments.  All other sacraments lead to and flow out of the Eucharist.  Jesus Christ gives us the ultimate gift of His Body, Blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist.  As parents, your own love and devotion to the Mass and Eucharist will be a way of teaching your child by example.  In watching you, your child will come to know how much Jesus loves him or her.  Jesus hungers for us to receive Him in the Eucharist.  Much of what the children will learn with regard to the Eucharist reference the Mass.  An important part of helping your child prepare to receive this sacrament is to attend Mass regularly.  Engage your child in the Mass, encouraging him or her to follow along in the missal and teaching the appropriate responses and gestures.

For the following schedule information, click here

• Parent Session – During the first week of February, 2nd grade parent meetings will be held during each weekday session of Faith Formation and attendance is required.  Parents whose children are preparing for First Holy Communion must attend one of these parent meetings.  Please make arrangements for younger children when you attend one of these meetings.  If childcare is needed, please contact the Children’s Ministry office to find out which sessions will have childcare available.

• Family Learning Centers – The First Communion Learning Centers will be available during the week of March 21.  The various activities at these centers will provide families with an opportunity to participate in hands-on activities that will provide new ways to share their faith as the participants learn about the Eucharist.  Participation in the Learning Centers is expected.

• First Communion Workshop – Scheduled for March 5, attendance at the First Communion workshop is mandatory.  One adult must attend the workshop with the child.  Families will come together as a community to participate in hands-on activities that reinforce the lessons that have been taught in class in a fun and engaging way.

Special Sacraments

Special Sacraments is a program for children in third through twelfth grade who have already been baptized, but are in need of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion. In the Dallas diocese, these two sacraments are traditionally conferred in the second grade, after participating in first and second grade Faith Formation classes.  To comply with the diocesan requirement of two years of Faith Formation, children in Special Sacraments participate in their grade specific Faith Formation classes to receive general instruction in their Catholic faith and forma a bond of fellowship and community with their peers.  At the same time, the Special Sacraments students will receive sacramental instruction at home, with their parents, using materials provided by the Faith Formation program.

The success of this program relies upon the parents.  Parents must insure their child attends his or her Faith Formation classes, sacramental workshops, Learning Centers, attends Mass regularly, learns prayers and experiences a Catholic environment at home.  Additionally the parents need to attend two parent meetings to pick up and receive instruction on materials to instruct their children in sacramental preparation.  The parent meetings are scheduled for October 10 in the C/D meeting rooms for Reconciliation preparation, and January 30 in the C/D meeting rooms for Eucharist preparation.  Both meetings will begin at 4:00 p.m.

For the Special Sacraments schedule information, click here

RCIC/RCIT

Similar to RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), RCIC and RCIT (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children and Rite of Christian Initiation for Teens) are programs for children between the ages of 7 and 17 who have not been baptized.  These programs are open to both parishioners and non-parishioners who are in need of preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation).  Their journey of faith culminates in the beautiful Easter Vigil Mass, when they become members of the Catholic Christian Community. 

Through RCIC/RCIT, children are enabled to enter into a relationship with the Living God.  The goal of this program is to provide a means of conversion consistent with the child’s age and understanding.  Like RCIA, we strive to instruct the child in his or her faith as a Catholic Christian.  The RCIC/RCIT teams include not only the catechists, but most importantly the parents.  The true success of the program depends upon the parents.  The parent must insure that the child attends all the classes, attends Mass, learns prayers and experiences a Catholic environment at home.

Classes meet on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

For the RCIC/RCIT registration information, contact David Utsler at dutsler@stfoafrisco.org .

Outside Resources

To further your own growth in the lifelong process of learning the Catholic faith, the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church are authentic resources.  Be careful when using internet sites, as not all information is accurate or true to the teachings of the Catholic Church.  If in doubt, ask one of our priests.  Below is a list of authentic resources that are available in bookstores and on-line.

Catechism of the Catholic Church - contains the fundamental Christian truths formulated in a way that facilitates their understanding.

The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth – Organized parallel to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this is an understandable and practical guide to all things Catholic.

The Catechism Handbook – Based on a yearlong series of articles that appeared in Liguorian magazine, this book provides a comprehensive summary of the content of the Catechism in an easy-to-read style.

The Catholic Source Book – This comprehensive collection of information is designed to help people of faith learn, renew, teach, and live the risen life of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church.

50 Way to Tap the Power of the Sacraments – Written in 50 short, anecdote-filled chapters, this book presents how you can highlight the role of the sacraments in your family, allowing the sacraments to transform your family’s daily life.

The Mass:  An Invitation to Enjoy It – This warm and gentle explanation of the Catholic Mass is presented is easy-to-understand language and is filled with helpful examples. 

Catholic Traditions:  Treasures New & Old - What is the Communion rail? How do you say the rosary? Why do we have statues of saints? In this book you will find answers to these questions and many others about Catholic traditions, rituals and nuances.

Kitchen Table Conversations: Preparing at Home for Sunday Eucharist – Specifically designed for use in the home, this delightful book enthusiastically encourages families to gather round the family table for mealtime, prayer, storytelling, and affirmation. The activities will help them connect family mealtime with the church’s mealtime at the Eucharistic table.

At Home with the Sacraments: Reconciliation - This booklet on reconciliation is perfect for parent sacrament preparation because it offers practical ways for parents to "live" reconciliation in their daily family life as they prepare their child for first reception of the sacrament.

At Home with the Sacraments:  Eucharist - This booklet on the Eucharist is perfect for parent sacrament preparation for first Eucharist. It contains the history and theology of the sacrament as well as practical ways for parents to "live" the Eucharist in their daily family life.

www.vatican.va – The official web-site of the Holy See.

www.usccb.org – The official web-site of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  This site provides news, church documents and a wealth of information that is based on authentic Church teaching.

www.cathdal.org – The official web-site of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas.

http://bishopfarrell.blogspot.com/ - The blog of Bishop Kevin Farrell.

www.catholic.org – This web-site provides easy access to comprehensive, educational and timely information about Catholicism, and provides a range of easy methods to integrate their faith into their daily lives.

http://new.catholicmom.com  - Where to go on the web to celebrate all things faith, family, and fun from a Catholic perspective.  Enjoy fresh perspectives from columnists and contributors.  Read the latest selections from their Book Club.  Listen to music from an array of talented Catholic musicians.  Help your child make the most of the Liturgy of the Word with their Sunday Gospel activities.