First Sacraments at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston guidelines are that children be in Faith Formation two (2) consecutive years with Year 1 for preparation and with Year 2 for sacramental study.   Children are eligible to receive their 1st Sacraments at the age of discretion; typically seven years of age or second grade.  For Holy Communion to be administered to children, it is required that they have sufficient knowledge and be accurately prepared, so that according to their capacity, they understand what the mystery of Christ means, and are
able to receive the Body of the Lord with faith and devotion.  (Code of Canon Law 913)

The Archdiocese requires that children be in Faith Formation one year prior to preparation for sacraments, this includes 1st Grade Faith Formation through CCE, Catholic School or another preparation process.  Older children who have not yet received their 1st Reconciliation or 1st Eucharist will be prepared on an individual basis (see below.)

First Sacraments Preparation Requirements
First Reconcilition and First Holy Communion

Children in 2^nd grade are eligible for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and 1st Holy Communion.The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston guidelines are that children be in Faith Formation 2 consecutive years, with year one (preparation year) completed to be eligible for year 2 (sacramental) to prepare for the reception of 1^st Sacraments.    3rd - 5th graders (who have already been baptized) are eligible to receive these sacraments and attend their grade level class. Simultaneous attendance at Faith Formation classes is required for Sacramental Preparation Students. 

• Students preparing for their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, at a minimum, must have regularly attended Catholic Faith Formation classes the year prior to their sacrament year (this could be through a parish Faith Formation program or Catholic school). Attendance at Faith Formation classes during their year of preparation is also required and monitored.  

• All Students who are entering a sacramental preparation year, First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion,  must submit a copy of their Baptismal Certificate to the Faith Formation Department by the start of classes. You may also email the certificate to ylaschon@stamericigh.com.  

Children who are older than 2nd grade and have not been baptized or who are 6th grade and older and have not received their First Reconciliation or First Eucharist, will be prepared through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Adapted for Children (RCIA Adapted for Children). In addition to RCIA Adapted for Children classes, students need to be enrolled and attend their appropriate grade level Faith Formation class.

R.C.I.A. Adapted for Children

R.C.I.A. for Children is the process by which the Catholic Church initiates children over the age of 7, who are not baptized, or who were baptized in another Christian tradition. It is a process of growing in faith, knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ as lived and celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church.  The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston requires children to attend two years of sacramental preparation, with the first year being a foundational year.  The second year will be focused on the Sacraments.  At the end of the second year children receive the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Vigil.  It is necessary to enroll children in regular age-appropriate Faith Formation Classes in addition to R.C.IA. for Children.  For further information, please call Yvonne Laschon, Faith Formation Assistant, ylaschon@stamericigh.com, at 281-778-0400.