First Holy Communion is the second of the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism and Confirmation) which complete an individual's membership to the Catholic Community. The Eucharist Sacrament is commonly called  First Holy Communion and celebrates the real presence of Christ in the bread, wine, and gathered community.

Communion/Eucharist is the most important and more repeated Sacrament of the Catholic life. Each Sunday we gather in Mass as the Body of Christ to be nourished by the life-giving gift of Jesus' own body and blood. When we leave Mass, we take this loving gift with us into the world, spreading the love of God and Good news of Jesus to all those around us.

Regular participation in Communion/Eucharist is encouraged for all Catholics from age 7 years and older. First Communion typically occurs during elementary school, in a child's second grade year. If your child attends All Saints School or another Catholic school, they will be prepared for their First Holy Commuion as part of their school curriculum. If your child attends a public or non-Catholic private school, you will need to enroll your child in the Faith Formation program.

First Holy Communion preparation is a two-year process, beginning with a year of enrollment in the Faith Formation program. If you would like your child to receive their First Holy Communion in second grade, they must be enrolled in Faith Formation in the 1st grade. The Faith Formation program begins in September and ends in May.  Please click here -  Family Faith Formation for registration information.

Children in grades 2 thru 8, who need to make their First Holy Communion also enter the Faith Formation program, and the classes are tailored to their elementary grade level and how much religious education the child has had in the past. To enroll your child in the Faith Formation program, to prepare for First Communion, please click the  Family Faith Formation logo for registration information.  

High School students can be prepared for First Communion at the same time they are preparing for Confirmation. Please see the Confirmation page for more details.

Adults who have been baptized and would like to celebrate their First Communion are encouraged to enroll in the RCIA process. To begin, please contact the church office (510) 581-2570.

For more information about First Holy Communion/Eucharist, consider reading these articles from AmericanCatholic.org: Eucharist