SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR PENANCE AND EUCHARIST

The policy of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is that children in the 2^nd grade, about age 7, be prepared for and celebrate the sacrament of Penance before they are prepared for and celebrate the sacrament of Eucharist.  Therefore, children are prepared for and celebrate the two sacraments in the same year.  They are also to be prepared by their parish of membership.  St. Max recognizes the formation children receive in an Archdiocese Catholic School and Religious Formation of Youth (RFY) classes or RFY Home Study program at St. Max.  (If your child receives formation through Home School or a non-Archdiocesan school, please contact Mary Montour.)  We have 3 Sunday evening sessions and a Saturday retreat for each of the two sacraments for the integration of the knowledge of the language and “how to” of our faith with the traditions and practices of the faith.  These additional sessions beyond the classroom are for the child and a parent (or special adult) to attend together.  Using our parish data base, all parents of children with a birthday of June 1, 1999 through September 30, 2000 received an informational letter concerning preparation so as to not over look any child.  If your child is in the first grade or third grade and already celebrated the sacrament, please just leave a message with Mary Montour at 777-4322 ext. 106 that preparation is not needed at this time. 

Children in the second grade are invited to prepare for the celebration of the Eucharist. A parent-child retreat is part of the preparation process. The children celebrate First Eucharist during the Sunday masses of the Easter Season. Parents and Guardians will receive a form in January for requesting 3 preferred dates for celebrating their child’s initiation to the Eucharist Table. Contact Mary Montour in the RFY office at 777-4322, ext. 120 for more information. Students older than second grade and adults 18 years and older desiring to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist should contact Carol Heuser at the parish office, 777-4322, ext. 104.

If your child has not received First Eucharist and is in 3rd grade or older, please contact the office, 777-4322 x106, for information on preparation.