First Holy Communion Preparation Program

Jesus said “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and you shall love your neighbor as yourself."   Matthew 22:37 & 39   New American Bible Revised Edition

God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in heaven. To save our souls, we must believe in God, hope in God, and love God with all our heart.   Baltimore Catechism Lesson 1

The Importance of the Sacrament of the Eucharist

The Sacrament of the Eucharist is the "Source and Summit" of our Catholic Faith.  The Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ.  The Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.  It is through the Sacrament of the Eucharist that we are united with Christ and through Christ united to God and others; this is why the Eucharist is referred to as "The Sacrament of Unity."  Since we are fed the Eucharist which in turn strengthens us in Christ, the Eucharist is called, "The Bread of Life." 

Sacramental Preparation for  First Communion

Faith Formation is a lifelong and ongoing process. If we are to be happy with God forever in heaven, it starts in Baptism, continues throughout our school years, and on throughout our whole lives. With that said, Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is a process that takes two years. It (usually*) starts in 1st grade, continues in 2nd grade and includes a daylong retreat. It is (usually*) in 2nd grade that the children receive the actual sacraments.

* Sacramental Preparation usually takes place as stated above and is always** two years. However, if for whatever reason a student doesn't fit the normal Faith Formation grade progression, adjustments can be made. This could include an older student being assigned to a younger grade or being included in an age appropriate smaller group that meets during the week. This would be determined on a case-by-case situational basis.

** Students who have attended a Catholic school for the two consecutive years leading up to the sacrament are exempt from the first year of sacramental preparation.

Important Registration Information

Registration Fees are $25 per child for all programs. First Communion and Confirmation have an additional $25 daylong retreat fee. All forms are intended to be printed two-sided. Please download, print, and complete the registration form. Once completed, you can submit the form in several ways:

1. US Postal Mail with a check for the fees to St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, Attn: Andy Gotsch, 8014 State Road 52, Hudson, FL 34667
2. Scan the completed forms back on to your computer and attach them in an email addressed to: agotsch@saintmichaelchurch.org You can then use the link on this page to pay the fees online.
3. Drop them off with a check for the fees at the parish office Mondays through Thursdays between 8am-3pm.
4. Place them with a check for the fees in an envelope marked "Andy Gotsch" and place the envelope in one of the offertory boxes when you go to Mass on Sunday.
   

The First Holy Communion Preparation Program classes are on Sunday mornings beginning with the 9:00 AM Mass and continue in the Malin Center immediately following from 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM.  Classes start on August 20, 2023 and end on May 5, 2024. 

For questions regarding Faith Formation, please contact Andy Gotsch at agotsch@saintmichaelchurch.org or (727) 819-5105.