Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

First Holy Communion Preparation
Sacramental Prep requires 2 years of the CGS Program

Preparation for First Holy Communion is, first and foremost, parents taking their child to Mass, letting the child observe the parent’s reverential reception of the Eucharist, and talking about what it means to receive Jesus Christ, “body, blood, soul and divinity.”  By observing their child’s interest and questions, the parent can help the catechist determine whether the child is ready to receive this Sacrament with full awareness.
Here are some of the things to share with your child that the catechist will be looking for: 

• Does your child know why you go to Mass?  (To receive Jesus, and to thank God for this great gift.)
• Does your child know why you fast for an hour before Mass? (To prepare yourself spiritually and physically to receive Jesus.)
• Does your child know that it is important to pray before and after receiving Jesus? (Share with your child your particular prayers of supplication and thanksgiving.)
• Does your child know to genuflect before the Tabernacle and how to hold his/her hands in prayer?  (Children learn best by your example.)

To read more about preparing your child spiritually for First Holy Communion please click on the
​button below.

CatholicMom.com

Moral Formation/Preparation for First Reconciliation 
6 Sessions with parents (March/April)

 St. Jerome’s Faith Formation offers the child who is ready additional instruction on moral formation and reconciliation, which is the necessary precursor to Holy Communion.  Typically, this is offered in the spring of the child’s 2nd Grade year, but occasionally the spring of their 1st Grade year, or 3rd Grade year, depending on their readiness.
 
​The formal process for this instruction begins with a Mass, initiation gift for the child and family, and an informational meeting on:

November 13, 2019 @ 6pm
in the Chapel

​May 1, 2020 - First Holy Communion Practice – 6pm in the Church
May 2, 2020 – Sacrament Retreat – First Reconciliation – 8:30am Church
May 3, 2020– First Holy Communion – 12:30pm Church

My Child attends Catholic School

If your child has not been attending St. Jerome Faith Formation because of his/her enrollment in a Catholic school, and you need dates and further information, come to the Mass and Information meeting on:

November 13, 2019 @ 6pm in the Chapel or contact the Faith Formation Office
faithformation@stjeromeonline.org

To receive the sacrament at the Catholic school your child is enrolled   contact the parish office  (727) 595-4610 to request permission from the Pastor.
 
Q.  Why is it important that the Catholic school child prepare for and receive First Holy Communion with his/her parish, rather than the host parish of the school?
 
A. The Bishop has ordained it so because the Eucharist is a sacrament of initiation, and the child is being fully initiated into the life of the Church, and the ordinary way Catholics participate in the life of the Church is in the parish.