"Since the Eucharist is the ‘source and summit of the Christian life”, (LG, 11), catechesis for the Eucharist recognizes it as the heart of Christian life for the whole Church, for the dioceses and parishes, and for each individual Christian.  Dioceses and parishes should present lifelong catechesis for the Eucharist." (NDC 124)

According to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) the preparation and celebration of First Eucharist is to emphasize the relationship of Eucharist to baptism and confirmation, and to emphasize initiation into the Catholic Christian community.  The parish community is to play a central role in the total initiation process.

PREPARATION FOR THE SACRAMENT OF EUCHARIST FOR CHILDREN

1. Every baptized person who is not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to Eucharist (c. 912).  Parents/guardians and parishes are responsible for correctly preparing children who have reached the age of reason for the celebration of this sacrament (c. 914).  Pastoral discretion should be exercised when preparing older students for the reception of this sacrament.
2. “The criterion for reception of Holy Communion is the same for persons with developmental and mental disabilities as for all persons, namely, that the person be able to distinguish the body of Christ from ordinary food, even if this recognition is evidenced through manner, gesture, or reverential silence rather than verbally.  Pastors are encouraged to consult with parents, those who take the place of parents, diocesan personnel involved with disability issues, psychologist, religious educators, and other experts in making their judgment.  Cases of doubt should be resolved in favor of the right of the baptized person to receive the sacrament.  The existence of a disability is not considered in and of itself as disqualifying a person from receiving the Eucharist.”  (Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, 13-14)
3. General catechesis for the Eucharist is to be offered in the first and second grades.

Catechesis for children helps them “understand that the Eucharist is the mystery in which Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is perpetuated; that it is a memorial of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection; and that it is a sacred banquet in which the People of God share the benefits of the Paschal Mystery, renew the covenant that God has made through the blood of Christ, and anticipate the heavenly banquet."  (NDC 124)

Catechesis should respect the age and ability of each individual child.  Because children of this age tend to think in very concrete terms, catechetical programs should provide some opportunities for children to experience sharing, forgiving, listening, eating, giving, thanking, and celebrating.  This will help the children understand the unity and belonging of this sacrament.  The parish First Eucharist program should provide the children with texts, approved by the Bishop, which present the current teaching of the Church concerning Eucharist.  Catechesis for First Eucharist should:

1. Teach that the Eucharist is the real Body and Blood of Jesus, even though it is under the appearance of ordinary bread and wine;
2. Teach the children to participate in the Mass by instructing them in its various parts;
3. Teach that the Eucharist, under both species, is not only the commemoration of Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, but is the living memorial of Christ’s sacrifice for our salvation;
4. Teach the children the importance of receiving Eucharist in a conscious and reverent manner. (NDC 127-128)
4. Parents are the primary educators of their children (Christian Education, paragraph 3, Vatican II document).  Parents have a right and duty to be involved in the preparation of their children for this sacrament (NDC 127).  Parents are expected to participate in the preparation program of their respective parish.  Specifics of this preparation can be found in APPENDIX 403.
5. Catechesis for the preparation for this sacrament should prepare the children for reception of First Penance before that of First Eucharist.  (NDC 127)  The programs of specific sacramental catechesis for each sacrament and the first celebration of each should be separated by a significant interval of time.  This will help avoid the misconception that  Penance is always a pre-requisite for Eucharist.

ADULT FIRST RECEPTION

The preparation of adults for first reception of the Eucharist is an integral part of the catechumenate process.  The R.C.I.A. is the normal process to be used in the preparation of adults for the first reception of Eucharist.

ONGOING CELEBRATION OF SACRAMENT OF EUCHARIST

1. Catechesis for the Sacrament of Eucharist should be an ongoing and integral part of each year's catechetical program.
2. Frequent celebration of the sacrament is to be encouraged as a means of ongoing conversion and growth in holiness.
3. Frequent liturgical celebrations of the sacrament recognizing the specific needs of children should be encouraged and planned each year.

PARISH GUIDELINES

Parishes are to write and publish their own guidelines for the catechesis for the Sacrament of Eucharist in accord with these diocesan guidelines, and in consultation with the Diocesan Office of Religious Education and the Dean.

RECORDS

A record for the celebration of First Eucharist is to be kept in the parish, and noted on the student record in the parochial school or CCD office.  If the person was baptized in another parish, notification of reception of First Eucharist must be sent to that parish for proper recording in its Baptismal Register.

Promulgated:  April 23, 2008
Effective:  July 1, 2008 

+Glen John Provost
Bishop of Lake Charles

Children (those in Catholic Schools, those being home-schooled, those in Parish Religious Education Programs) must register in their own parishes during the specified registration period indicating they are to celebrate First Eucharist.

“Because they gave life to their children, parents have the most serious obligation and the right to educate them.  It is therefore primarily the responsibility of Christian parents to ensure the Christian education of their children in accordance with the teaching of the Church”  (Canon 226, §2).

“The Church has in a special way the duty and the right of educating, for it has a divine mission of helping all to arrive at the fullness of Christian life”  (Canon 794, §1).

“The diocesan Bishop is bound to teach and illustrate to the faithful the truths of faith which are to be believed and applied to behavior.  He is himself to preach frequently.  He is also to ensure that the provisions of the canons on the ministry of the word, especially on the homily and catechetical instruction, are faithfully observed, so that the whole of Christian teaching is transmitted to all”  (Canon 386, §1).

In order to fulfill and respect the above norms, each parish will develop and implement a program of instruction for parents in which the following will be accomplished:

1. Parents are expected to gather for the number of sessions determined by the pastor;
2. Materials will be distributed to assist the parents to understand the current teaching of the Church concerning the Eucharist;
3. The texts which present the current teaching of the Church concerning the Eucharist will be those approved by the Bishop for the instruction of children;
4. These texts and instructions will be given to the parents at the prescribed meetings;
5. A required component of each parish program will be an interview with the child by the pastor or his delegate at the conclusion of the formation;
6. Prior to the interview, parents will be informed that the results of the interview will determine the child’s participation in the celebration of First Eucharist.

Parents who disagree with the decision of the pastor or his delegate concerning the readiness of their child to celebrate First Eucharist may appeal to the Dean of the Deanery in which the parish is located.

Promulgated:  April 23, 2008
Effective:  July 1, 2008       

+Glen John Provost
Bishop of Lake Charles