2nd-5th Grade First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

There is no rush to get started if your child or your family isn’t ready. We can always take the year to ease into it. What does it mean to be “ready” for Sacramental Preparation?

• Your child was BAPTIZED in the Roman Catholic Church, and you can produce the baptismal certificate at time of registration (along with your child’s birth certificate).
• Your child is at least 7 years old at the time Sacrament Preparation begins on October 1^st.
• Your child desires the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.

There are no conveyor belts to Heaven or the sacraments! This year is not the right year for your family if you cannot answer “YES!” to the following questions:

• Do you attend Holy Mass every single Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation?
  If you attend occasionally or even monthly, then you are not ready to start the process for First Holy Communion for your child. Jesus commands us to Keep Holy the Sabbath and to worship God in Holy Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. It is a mortal sin to miss Mass on Sundays.

• Do you go to sacramental Confession at least once a year?
  The Church requires yearly Confessions of all her members. Too many high school students (over 60%) have not gone to Confession since their first time. This is a tragedy, but one that we cannot blame on the kids.

• Do you pray regularly at home?
  Jesus Christ is not a teacher, wise man, or prophet. He is our Lord and Savior. What is the purpose of Holy Communion if we do not have living faith in Jesus at home?

• Are you able to attend the monthly sacrament preparation sessions alongside weekly faith formation classes?
  Sometimes our schedules get crazy depending on the year and what activities our kids are involved in. Sacrament Preparation is a priority over sports, band, and other things. If this year is too full that you cannot make it a priority, then let’s look at next year.

If you answered “No” to any question above, then let’s devise together the best way forward that meets the needs of your family and upholds the dignity and power of the Sacraments.

Jesus Christ desires you to know and love Him, to receive His free gift of salvation through faith, and to be not only in touch with Him, but in communion, in holy intimacy with Him.

That alone is the end game for our sacrament preparation family ministry here at Prince of Peace.

If you’ve been away from the Church or want a safe and non-judgmental place to ask questions about the Christian faith, parents are invited to participate in the life-changing Alpha Program.

• Families attend Mass every Sunday and Catholic parent(s) go to confession at least once a year, as required in the Church Precepts
• Students will attend weekly or monthly Faith Formation classes
• Parents will attend weekly or monthly Parent Cafe sessions
• Parents will work with their children to complete the books for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
• Students will attend First Reconciliation Retreat (Fall) and First Eucharist Retreat (Spring)
• In addition to Faith Formation classes, students will attend Sacrament Preparation classes
• Parents are welcome to participate in the Alpha program (optional)

The First Reconciliation and First Eucharist candidate must be:

• enrolled in BOTH Faith Formation and Sacrament Preparation programs
• baptized in the Catholic faith
• at least 7-years-old
• enrolled in 2nd-5th grade at the time of preparation

If your child is in 6th-12th grade and he/she would like to receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation or Eucharist please click here or contact Diana Valencia at DValencia@POPHouston.org or 281.469.2686 x223.

*Please Note: If your child has not been baptized:

• Under age 7, please contact Miriam Sanchez at MSanchez@POPHouston.org or 281.571.4117.
• Age 7+, please contact Dcn. Robert Trahan at RTrahan@POPHouston.org or 281.571.4126.

Any Catholic in good standing 18 years old and up

We help prepare and support children as they celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation and eucharist, offering assistance during the sacramental preparation classes and the Sacrament ceremonies.

Because doing so allows you to guide and support children in their important milestones of receiving the sacraments, helping them deepen their faith and experience the love and forgiveness of God.

During sacramental preparation classes, retreats, and the Sacraments ceremonies.

If you are 18 years old and above, our archdiocese requires all adult volunteers to complete safe environment training.

This short one-hour online training teaches people how to create a secure and protected environment for everyone, especially children, by recognizing and preventing potential risks or harm.

Click here to register for Safe Environment Training.