Requirements for First Communion (and First Confession) - Requisitos para la Primera Comunión

 💦Your child must be Baptized in the Catholic Church.  If your child is baptized in another Christian faith, they must work with the Director of Faith Formation, Mrs. Colleen Gerke, to make a Profession of Faith in the Catholic Church.  If unbaptized, work with Colleen Gerke to complete the preparation for Baptism.

General Requirements
According to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. “this preparation is neither age nor grade dictated”.  Throughout the Archdiocese and at St. Clement Church, the traditional time for youth to prepare and celebrate First Communion is in the second grade.  

The minimum requirements are:
         The ability to distinguish ordinary bread from Eucharist
         The knowledge of the mysteries of faith according to his/her ability
        o   Participation in Sunday Eucharist
        o   Community activity
        o   Ask for and give forgiveness
         The desire to receive Jesus

Conon Law (Church Law) mandates that the decision of readiness to receive Jesus in Holy Communion for the first-time rest primarily with the parents in consultation with the pastor.  Meaningful preparation leads to a lifelong celebration of the Eucharist.

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati requires that children prepare for the celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) prior to First Communion.

Requirements Unique to St. Clement
👉You must complete, by February 1, 2021, a St. Clement First Communion Information Form  (Click here for English or here for Spanish) It provides all the information needed to record the reception of First Communion at St. Clement.  Your child will appreciate the canonical records when they are ready to celebrate Confirmation, decide to marry or become a priest, deacon, religious brother, or sister. 

👉Your child is to have a desire to be an active member of the Catholic Church  by attending Sunday Mass and be participating in religious education through St. Clement School, another Catholic School, or a program provided by the Director of Faith Formation.  During COVID, Mass is livestreamed on Facebook @StClementCincinnati on Saturday at 4pm, Sunday at 9:30am and 12:30pm in Spanish.  You can also celebrate Mass any time during the week at www.stclementcincinnati.org or on Facebook.

👉Family Sessions  
First Reconciliation (Confession) - (see details under Reconciliation Family Lessons tab) 
1. Watch videos on FORMED.  Required videos are shorter than 45 minutes.
2. Do learning activities as a family.
3. Attend Reconciliation Google Meet on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 7:00 pm.  The link is

    https://meet.google.com/qcy- yqhr-ohn
4.  Tour Confessional (Reconciliation Room).  Just ask while you are at Mass and someone will assist you.
5. Celebrate  the sacrament of  First Reconciliation  (see below)
        

First Eucharist (Communion)  - (see details under Eucharist Family Lessons tab) 
1. Watch videos on FORMED.  Required videos are shorter than 45 minutes.
2. Do learning activities as a family.
3.  Attend First Communion Google Meet.  The date is Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 7:00 pm.  The Link is:  https://meet.google.com/fpi-rqco-xsr
4.  Celebrate the sacrament of First Eucharist.  (see below)

👉Beginning January 9th and ending February 14th, 2020:  Using Sign-up Genius, select a Sunday Mass 🙏to receive the blessing and affirmation of the Parish Community.  Click here to sign-up for a Mass.

 👉Beginning January 11th and ending  January 14th, Complete an initial in person or zoom conversation 💭with Mrs. Gerke about First Communion/Confession.  How do you feel about  celebrating First Communion?  What do you want from the Church as you prepare?  Imagine how you might be changed by receiving the sacrament of Eucharist.  Schedule through Sign-up Genius.  Click here to sign-up for a slot on the schedule.  

 👉 (Optional) Follow-up In person or Zoom Conversation 💭immediately before First Communion about what has been experienced in preparing to receive the sacrament of First Communion, questions, and what people still want to learn.  Schedule through Sign-up Genius.  Contact Colleen Gerke at cgerke@stcschool.org, cgerke@stclementcincinanti.org or (513)641-3176 ext. 163.

👉 Celebrate First Reconciliation before First Communion.  This can be done at the Parish Lenten Communal Reconciliation Service Wednesday, March 24th at 7:00 pm or on Saturdays at 3:00pm, Sundays at 12noon in Spanish or English, and by appointment.  For an appointment, call the Parish Office at (513)641-3176.

👉 Celebrate First Communion, Each family will celebrate at the Mass of their choice throughout the  spring and  summer beginning April 18, 2021.   Masses will accommodate 2 families at a time.  Each family will have one pew reserved.  This allows for 8-10 person without social distancing in one pew.  If you are related to another family celebrating First Communion, please select your date as soon as possible.  Click here to schedule your child's First Communion  date.