Reconciliation & Eucharist (Grades 2-5):

SUNDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY FAITH FORMATION CLASSES
DO NOT PREPARE CHILDREN TO RECEIVE COMMUNION.

Responsibility for sacrament preparation in order to celebrate Reconciliation (Penance) and Eucharist (receiving communion) is shared between the parents and the parish.  We follow the guidelines set by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston for preparation.   Preparing to celebrate Reconciliation and Eucharist is a two yearprocess involving two parts:

(1) enrollment in and regular weekly attendance at age-appropriate faith formtion classes (whatever grade level they are in at school) OR enrollment in a Catholic school for two consecutive years, including the year they are in sacrament preparation classes,

AND

(2) enrollment in and attendance at the sacrament preparation classesfor the child’s grade level after at least one year of faith formation has been completed.  During their second consecutive year of preparation, the children will attend boththeir faith formation classes AND the sacrament preparation classes.  Although the child is to be enrolled in FF classes or Catholic school during the year they are actually preparing to celebrate, SACRAMENT PREPARATION IS NOTDONE IN THE FAITH FORMATION CLASSES AT EPIPHANY OR AT THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.  Faith formation classes should continue in the years after sacraments are celebrated.  Faith formation is a life-long process.

STEPS FOR SACRAMENT PREPARATION FOR GRADES 2-5:

1. Attendance at a PARENT ONLY SACRAMENT INFORMATION MEETING held in the fall, usually in September or October.  At this time, the discernment and preparation processes will be discussed and parents will be given the paperwork to register their child for the Reconciliation and Eucharist workshops.  ATTENDANCE AT THIS MEETING IS AN ARCHDIOCESAN REQUIREMENT AND THE ONLY WAY THAT WE KNOW YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD IS READY TO PREPARE FOR AND CELEBRATE RECONCILIATION AND EUCHARIST.

2.  Parents need to bring a copy of their child’s birth certificate and baptismal certificate and $40 (check or exact cash only) for Reconciliation and Eucharist Workshop books to the information meeting. If your child has not been baptized or has been baptized in a faith other than the Catholic Church, please call the Faith Formation Office (281-578-8271) for additional information about your child’s conversion process.

3.  Attendance by the child ANDat least one Catholicparent at twoSaturday workshopsfor Reconciliation. Dates and times will be given at the parent sacrament meeting. The first workshop will begin the preparation process for celebrating reconciliation. At this time, materials will be provided for parents to work with their children at home.  Approximately three weeks later a follow up workshop will focus on how to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

4.  Attendance by the child ANDat least one Catholic parent at twoSaturday workshops for Eucharist. Dates and times will be given at the parent sacrament meeting. The first workshop will begin the preparation process for receiving communion. At this time, materials will be provided for parents to work with their children at home. Approximately three weeks later, a follow-up workshop will focus on preparing them to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time.

CHILDREN’S CATECHUMENATE:

Unbaptized children who are six years of age or olderor children who have been baptized in another Christian faith and would like to become members of the Catholic Church are enrolled in a special process called the Children’s Catechumenate.  In this process, children are prepared for the sacraments of Baptism (if unbaptized), Confirmation, and Eucharist.  This is a two-year process, during which the child is also enrolled in grade-level appropriate faith formation.  Parents will need to provide a copy of their child’s birth certificate.  Please contact the faith formationoffice for further information at (281) 578-8271.