Sacramental Preparation
When it is time for your child to receive First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, we have a responsibility to insure that she/he is properly instructed and prepared to receive the sacraments. The Diocese of Little Rock requires two full years of religious education prior to this event. Therefore, unless your child attends a Catholic elementary school, where he/she will receive two full years of religious education, your child will attend one year of classes in the appropriate grade level and the following year she/he will be enrolled in a "Communion" class. In the spring, when the Communion class concludes, your child will make his/her First Holy Communion.
Following are the requirements for each of the two years of instruction:
Year 1: Regular PRE class in the appropriate Grade level
- Your child must have acceptable attendance (may not miss more than 5 classes).
Note: If your child misses more than 5 classes, he/she will not be able to enroll in the Communion Preparation Class until he/she attends another year and meets the attendance requirements.
- Child must learn the basic Catholic prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.)
- Parents should take an active role in helping the child learn about the Catholic faith by regularly attending Mass.
Year 2: Communion Preparation Class
- Child must have acceptable attendance ( may not miss more than 3 classes.)
- Child must know the required prayers. He/she must know and understand the teachings about the procedures for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of Communion.
- Child must attend the First Communion Retreat in February.
- Parents must provide the child's baptismal record to the Church before the Parents' meeting on Thursday, January 24th.
- At least one parent must attend the meeting for Parents of Children Preparing for Communion on January 24th.
- Parents must take an active role in helping the child learn and prepare for the sacraments by attending Mass regularly with the child.
