First
Holy Communion
At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration are the bread and wine that, by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ’s Body and Blood.
Faithful to the Lord’s command the Church continues to do, in his memory and until his glorious return, what he did on the eve of his Passion: “He took bread.…” “He took the cup filled with wine.…”
The signs of bread and wine become, in a way surpassing understanding, the Body and Blood of Christ....
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1333
Eligibility
Eligibility for First Holy Communion requires:
That candidates be baptised in the Catholic faith;
Have completed First Reconciliation;
Live in St. Michael’s parish;
Be in at least Year 3.
Commitment & Formation
In preparation for First Holy Communion all candidates are required to:
Attend a Commitment Mass preceded by a learning activity, and followed by an information session and pizza in the parish hall.
Attend three Holy Communion formation sessions, each beginning with Sunday Mass at 9:30am, followed by a parent & child Holy Communion lesson in the parish hall.
Attend rehearsal.
Attend Reconciliation.
Mass Selection & Rehearsal
We celebrate two First Holy Communion Masses. The online Registration Form will ask you to choose which of these you would like to attend. When we reach sixty participants at any one Mass, availability closes for that Mass and the remaining candidates are allocated to the alternative Mass.
Please note that candidates must attend the rehearsal that corresponds to the First Holy Communion Mass selection.
Reconciliation
To ensure that candidates receive Holy Communion in a State of Grace, all candidates need to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation before his or her First Holy Communion.
The sacrament of Reconciliation will be available to St. Michael’s Primary students during school hours.
The sacrament of Reconciliation will be available to public and independent school students before rehearsal.
Attendance
Full attendance is expected. Missing the Commitment Mass, lessons, Reconciliation, or rehearsal will delay First Holy Communion until the program runs again next year. We consider the spiritual formation of the children more important than other commitments, and we trust that parents recognise this too.
Important Dates—2025
Saturday 15th March, 5:00pm-8:00pm—First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion Combined Commitment Mass, Activity, Pizza, and Information Evening.
Sunday 18th May, 9:30am—Mass followed by 1st First Holy Communion Lesson in Parish Hall.
Sunday 25th May, 9:30am—Mass followed by 2nd First Holy Communion Lesson in Parish Hall.
Sunday 1st June, 9:30am—Mass followed by 3rd First Holy Communion Lesson in Parish Hall.
Wednesday 11th June, 6:30pm-7:00pm—Reconciliation for public and independent school candidates (Mass 1).
Wednesday 11th June, 7:00pm-7:45pm—Rehearsal (Mass 1).
Friday 13th June, 9:00am—Reconciliation for St. Michael’s Primary candidates (Mass 1).
Sunday 15th June, 11:30am—First Holy Communion (Mass 1).
Wednesday 18th June, 6:30pm-7:00pm—Reconciliation for public and independent school candidates (Mass 2).
Wednesday 18th June, 7:00pm-7:45pm—Rehearsal (Mass 2).
Friday 20th June, 9:00am—Reconciliation for St. Michael’s Primary candidates (Mass 2).
Sunday 22nd June, 11:30am—First Holy Communion (Mass 2).
Connect
For further help, please contact our Sacramental Co-Ordinator, Lisa Rossi on 9427 2034 or at sacraments@lanecoveparish.org.au
“If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.”