THE SACRAMENT OF FIRST EUCHARIST
(First Communion)

Entry Requirements:

1. The student must be in the 2nd grade or higher to start the journey,
2. A copy of Student’s Certificate of Baptism and First Reconciliation on record is at Holy Name of Jesus (Confession),
3. The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) will be completed during their first year of formation. 
4.  A good record of attendance from student & parent to scheduled classes, family events, and mass is key in completing childs formation.
5. A completed and signed registration form for your child is submitted online or dropped off at Olive Ave. church office.

We offer an in-person two year program for children from 2nd grade to 5th grade and a Homeschool/ Hybrid program for children from 2nd grade to 8th grade.
 The programs used for Catechism are CGS and Homeschool/Hybrid Pathways. Please see below for more information.

• Year 1 - Sacrament of Reconciliation/Grade 2 and above

• Year 2 - Sacrament of Eucharist/Grade 3 and above; Year 1 is required

• CGS:  Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:  2nd & 3rd grade
  • Unique, child-sized learning space called "the Atrium"
  • Montessori-style methodology
  • Hands-on activities based in Scripture stories and Catholic theology
  • Develops each child's relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd
  • Fosters prayer, sacred silence, and an appreciation of the Mass
  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd are weekly sessions beginning the week of September 12, 2021 and meet weekly (dependant on the age of the child) up to 1.5 hours! We are back in the atrium this year. 
  • Children will be attending classes once a week in-person at our Olive Parish location. 
  • Level One (Ages 3years old-1^st grade)
    Level I encourages children to develop their innate potential for a faith-filled relationship with God. They encounter Jesus, the Good Shepherd who loves them, cares for them, and knows them by name. Catechesis includes Scripture, Mass gestures, prayers, artwork, and music. Level One is for children three years old through kindergarten.
    
    Level Two (Grades 2^nd & 3^rd)
    The goals for children in Level Two is to help deepen the child’s relationship with Christ and the Catholic faith. Through the moral parables and teachings of Jesus, along with a more intense exploration of the Mass the child grows in a desire to remain close to Christ. It is during this level that the children prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist.
     
• Homeschool/ Hybrid "Pathways": 2nd grade-8th grade
• We love parents to able to teach their children our Catholic teachings at home. Parents and student will meet with a catechist once a month to review the material and progress.
• Special Needs Options
• To find out how can we best serve you and your family, please contact us
• Fee for sacrament formation $60
• We believe that parents are the primary catechists and we are here to support you and "walk in faith" together.
  
  All in-person parent orientations are vital every year.You will be contacted by one of our Catechist for an in-person orientation after your child has been registered.

  All classes are held at the Olive Avenue Campus.

  Classes Start September 12th!

Bishop Rojas, Diocesan Clergy, our Parish Clergy, and ministry leaders believe that parents are the sponsors of this sacrament.  Parents are responsible to get their children to Mass every week, and to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation twice a year; thus, they are the Eucharist sponsors of their children.