First Holy Communion

Reception of First Holy Communion completes the Christian’s full initiation into the Catholic Church.  The first reception of Holy Communion is encouraged as soon as possible after the baptized Catholic has reached the age of reason and is properly prepared and disposed.

Children of Catholic Parents

Catholic children reaching the age of reason (7 years old) will make their first Confession and receive Confirmation and their First Holy Communion at the annual Confirmation Mass at which the Bishop or his representative comes to confer this Sacrament.  Children attending the Catholic Atonement Academy will receive their sacramental preparation as part of the regular school day.  Other children of parishioners will receive their preparation through the Atonement Religious Education program.  If your child is beyond the 2ndgrade, you must ensure the coordinator of religious education knows your child requires preparation for First Holy Communion and Confirmation.  For more information about our Religious Education program, please contact [email protected].

Children of Non-Catholic Parents Seeking Full Communion in the Catholic Church

Children of parents seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, who will have reached the age of reason by the time they enter the Church will generally receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation with their parents.  However, a number of factors such as the age and disposition of the child, the timing in terms of the opportunity for the child’s preparation, etc. may suggest that First Holy Communion should be delayed until adequate preparation can be conducted.  The pastor will discuss such circumstances with the parents and determine the best course of action for the child in each family’s case.  The coordinator of the Inquiry program will ensure the parents are put in contact with the correct persons and will facilitate this discussion with the pastor. F or more information or to sign up for the next class, please contact the coordinator for the Adult Inquiry class at [email protected].

Adults Seeking Full Communion, Baptized in a Non-Catholic Christian Tradition

Adults baptized in a non-Catholic, Christian community who are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church will generally receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation at the same Mass at which they make their profession of faith.  The process at Our Lady of the Atonement is for the inquirer to attend a semester long program we call the Adult Inquiry Class. The inquiry class coordinator will assist inquirers who choose to proceed with the process for coming into full communion with the Catholic Church.  For more information or to sign up for the next class, please contact the coordinator for the Adult Inquiry class at [email protected].

Adults Baptized in the Catholic Church

Adults baptized in the Catholic Church who have not yet received their First Holy Communion or Sacrament of Confirmation will receive their necessary preparation in the Adult Inquiry Class. For more information or to sign up for the next class, please contact the coordinator for the Inquiry class at [email protected].

For more information, please see our tutorial on The Eucharist.