Holy Communion

Holy Communion (Eucharist) is the Sacrament of initiation in which we receive the real presence of Jesus Christ and enter into an 'intimate communion with God and with our brothers and sisters.’

Preparation for First Holy Communion (Eucharist)

We value the Church teaching that parents are the ‘primary educators’ of their children. Our goal is to assist parents in this awesome responsibility. Recognizing that families can have very hectic schedules, we carve out sacred time for parents and children to come together at the parish, with other families, to focus on the importance of celebrating Eucharist, as well as the importance of being Living Eucharist for others. These sessions typically take place on Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 8PM. 

Children and teens are invited to begin the immediate preparation for First Holy Communion once they reach the age of 7 and have completed the remote preparation, (usually first grade Faith Formation) through the parish program or a Catholic school.  Children wishing to celebrate First Holy Communion need to be actively participating in grade level Faith Formation either in the parish or Catholic School. 

Immediate preparation for all children wishing to celebrate First Holy Communion, whether attending the Parish Grade-level Faith Formaion classes or a Catholic school, takes place at the parish beginning in January.  Parent meeting is Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 6:30 to 8pm in the Education Building.  Please arrange for a babysitter as we will be having adult conversation on this night.

First Holy Communion is always a community celebration .

At St. Jerome, we strive to illumine the fact that the children are joining the community at the Table of the Lord. For this reason, First Holy Communion is celebrated during various Sunday Masses in accordance with our regular Mass schedule. The First Communicants and their parents approach the altar together to receive the Body of Christ, thereby giving witness to the larger community of their commitment to the promises they made at their child’s baptism.

For more detailed information and specifics of the Sacramental Preparation Process please contact Tammie Gildea, Director of Faith Formation at 727-595 3100 x 331 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sacramental Preparation Sessions:

Tuesday, January 8, 2013 6:30 to 8pm  Parent Meeting--Education Building (please secure a babysitter)

Tuesday, January 22, 2013 6:30 to 8pm Parent and child session--chapel

Tuesday, February 19, 2013 6:30 to 8pm Parent and child session--chapel

Saturday, February 23, 2013  Sacrament of Reconciliation  9:30am Church

Tuesday, March 5, 2013 6:30 to 8pm Parent Meeting-Education Building (please secure a babysitter)

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 6:30 to 8pm Parent and child session--chapel

Saturday, April 20, 2013  Retreat 9am to 12pm --Education Building

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 6:30 to 8pm Parent and Child Session--Church

May 4/5 and May 11/12 First Communions

May 14, 2013--6:30 to 7:30pm First Communion Mystagogy--Education Building