First Communion and First Penance

Preparation to receive First Communion begins with the faith witness of the family and home. When a child’s parents discern a readiness for this important step, the family begins the formal process of preparation, traditionally when the child is in second grade, around 7 or 8 years old. 

If your family is ready to begin this formal preparation process for the celebration of First Communion in spring of 2022, please contact Michele at 440-946-1128, opt. 3 or mbaetzold@stnoel.org.

The process of preparation includes:

– Attendance at a parent orientation meeting
– Attendance at six Family Sessions 
– Catechesis in St. Noel Family Faith Formation program or attendance at a Catholic Day School.
– Family ministry experiences and related reflection documented in a concrete way (e.g. scrapbook, etc.).
– Special participation in liturgies on designated weekends for acceptance and blessings from the parish community.
– Celebration of First Communion at the parish liturgies (5:00 p.m. Saturday, 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. on Sunday) on the designated First Communion weekend (generally two weeks after Easter), or any parish weekend liturgy during the Easter season.
– Participation in “Sharing the Mystery” weekend (after one of the parish liturgies) on the designated weekend toward the end of the Easter season.

Preparation for First Penance involves most importantly the readiness and maturity of the individual child. Catechesis takes place at all levels of religious development. The time to celebrate “reconciling” in the context of the Church community is left to the decision of the child and parent; however the usual time to celebrate this sacrament is at a communal penance service for our young people before Easter, or at any time by making an appointment with the Pastor.

For more information contact Michele at 440-946-1128, opt. 3 or mbaetzold@stnoel.org.