Celebrating First Communion: Young Parishioners Are United with Jesus in the Eucharist

For young Catholics and their families, First Communion is a very exciting and blessed occasion. Last year, in the wake of COVID-19, First Communion celebrations were delayed, and the students received the sacrament at several Saturday morning Masses, in small groups. However, this year, the youth celebrated alongside the larger congregation at several Sunday Masses in May. It was an exciting and blessed time for the communicants.

“Because receiving Communion unites us more closely with Christ and, through Him, with one another, we want to incorporate our community into this beautiful day,” says Michelle Knox, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd & Family Faith Formation Director.

Michelle has been serving in this position for about nine years, and she really enjoys helping prepare second-grade students for First Communion. The first communicants also receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving for the first time. Most of the preparation for First Communion is done as a family with learning materials provided by St. Isidore. Michelle hopes this helps the whole family to grow in faith.

“Preparation and reception of this sacrament helps unite families and often increases the desire of the parents to receive Holy Communion and participate more fully in the sacramental life of the Church,” Michelle says.

The children always wait in anticipation for this special day, having spent months in preparation, studying Scripture and the Paschal Mystery. They have also reviewed the gestures and prayers of the Mass.

“When the children receive the Body and Blood of our Lord, they are usually filled with joy, peace and thanksgiving,” Michelle says.

However, we are all blessed by the Sacrament of First Communion. As the Body of Christ, when more members join with us, it is a time to rejoice.

“Each one of us has a unique and irreplaceable identity and mission in the Church,” Michelle says. “We are one in Christ, and this unity is increased and strengthened when we gather together at the altar to partake of the Body and Blood of Christ.”

After the time of preparation, it was beautiful to watch the second-grade students receive First Communion in the month of May. Our whole parish celebrates with them and their families.

“Jesus desired to remain with us, and so instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper as a memorial of His death and Resurrection,” Michelle says. “We help the children to recognize and reciprocate this desire to be in union with Him. This union is realized when we receive His Body and Blood in Holy Communion.”

Michelle invites all parishioners to support the first communicants through prayer. To get involved in the Faith Formation program or as a mentor for individuals and families, please contact Michelle Knox at mknox@stisidore-yubacity.org or 530-673-1573.

Martha Colorado-Prior and her family celebrate her First Communion.