Baptized children in second grade and up are invited to prepare for the celebration of the First Eucharist. Preparation and formation for First Eucharist is primarily an at-home process that includes parent-guided learning, weekly participation in Mass, and two additional group gatherings for communal preparation and dialogue.
- A Parent Meeting in January begins the process where explanations and expectations are shared, along with a Parent Guide, Student Text, and additional resources.
- Children and parents signify their intent to fully prepare at our Enrollment Ritual.
- Midway through preparation, parents and children gather in church for prayer, dialogue, and review.
- Toward the end of preparation at home, children and parents attend a retreat which involves a review of the elements included in First Eucharist preparation.
- Finally, First Eucharist “chats” assess readiness for celebration of First Eucharist; child and parent meet with a member of the Pastoral Staff, and children share their knowledge of Mass and understanding of Eucharist.
Baptismal Certificate
Children must be baptized to celebrate the sacrament of the Eucharist, and we must have a copy of the candidate's Baptismal Certificate on file.
For those not yet baptized but who wish to be, please contact Scott Steinke for more information about the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for children.
Children must be baptized to celebrate the sacrament of the Eucharist, and we must have a copy of the candidate's Baptismal Certificate on file.
- If your child was baptized at a church other than St. John, please connect with that church, and they will provide you with a certificate that you can forward to St. John.
- Those who were baptized at St. John the Evangelist do not need to send in a Baptismal Certificate, as we already have it on file.
For those not yet baptized but who wish to be, please contact Scott Steinke for more information about the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for children.
First Eucharist Dates 2023
Friday, January 17 | Registration and Fees for books and supplies due
Monday, January 23, 7-8pm | Parent-Only Meeting in Favret Hall
Monday, January 30, 7:00pm | Show-n-Tell Mass in Church
Saturday, February 4, 5pm Mass | Enrollment Ritual (meet at 4:30 in Chapel before Mass) OR
Sunday, February 5, 11:00am Mass | Enrollment Ritual (meet in Chapel at 10:30 before Mass)
Monday, February 13, 7 -8 pm | Parent Child Gathering in church
Monday, March 13, 7 -8 pm | Parent Child Gathering in church
Tuesday, March 28 - Thursday, March 30, & Saturday, April 1 | First Eucharist Chats in the Parish Office
Saturday, April 22, 9:00 – 11:30 am | First Eucharist Retreat in the Parish Center
Saturday, May 6, 5:00pm Mass | First Eucharist
Sunday, May 7, 9:00am Mass | First Eucharist
Sunday, May 14, 11:00am Mass | First Eucharist
Saturday, May 20, 5:00pm Mass | First Eucharist
Book & Retreat Payment due January 13, 2023
Child and Parent Book $45
Two Children and Parent Book $70
Only Child Book $30
(if you have saved the parent book that you used with a previous child)
Each family needs one parent guide (if you have a copy from previous preparation, that will work). Each child should have their own copy of the student preparation book as there are places for written responses and reflections. If the cost of the materials presents a problem, please let us know and we can make other arrangements.
Friday, January 17 | Registration and Fees for books and supplies due
Monday, January 23, 7-8pm | Parent-Only Meeting in Favret Hall
Monday, January 30, 7:00pm | Show-n-Tell Mass in Church
Saturday, February 4, 5pm Mass | Enrollment Ritual (meet at 4:30 in Chapel before Mass) OR
Sunday, February 5, 11:00am Mass | Enrollment Ritual (meet in Chapel at 10:30 before Mass)
Monday, February 13, 7 -8 pm | Parent Child Gathering in church
Monday, March 13, 7 -8 pm | Parent Child Gathering in church
Tuesday, March 28 - Thursday, March 30, & Saturday, April 1 | First Eucharist Chats in the Parish Office
Saturday, April 22, 9:00 – 11:30 am | First Eucharist Retreat in the Parish Center
Saturday, May 6, 5:00pm Mass | First Eucharist
Sunday, May 7, 9:00am Mass | First Eucharist
Sunday, May 14, 11:00am Mass | First Eucharist
Saturday, May 20, 5:00pm Mass | First Eucharist
Book & Retreat Payment due January 13, 2023
Child and Parent Book $45
Two Children and Parent Book $70
Only Child Book $30
(if you have saved the parent book that you used with a previous child)
Each family needs one parent guide (if you have a copy from previous preparation, that will work). Each child should have their own copy of the student preparation book as there are places for written responses and reflections. If the cost of the materials presents a problem, please let us know and we can make other arrangements.
ACTIVITY FOR THE FAMILY
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE MASS?
St. John records all Masses and makes them available online. after attending Mass, go home and walk through the Mass together (with the ability to fast forward to specific parts of the Mass whenever you would like).
You can even make it into a guessing game! See if you know the answers to these questions:
What do you think will happen next?
After the gifts are brought up, what does Father do?
What was the Gospel reading about?
What is our response after Father says...?
St. John records all Masses and makes them available online. after attending Mass, go home and walk through the Mass together (with the ability to fast forward to specific parts of the Mass whenever you would like).
You can even make it into a guessing game! See if you know the answers to these questions:
What do you think will happen next?
After the gifts are brought up, what does Father do?
What was the Gospel reading about?
What is our response after Father says...?