September 20, 2011 – Thursday at 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Parents and children will meet at St. Rose Church for this introductory meeting. First Holy Communion is important. We want to make sure that we are all prepared for this great gift. This meeting and the others listed below are required for those who are preparing to receive First Holy Communion.

November 10, 2011 – Thursday at 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Parents and children will meet at St. Rose Church. We will learn about a great, though underused, gift from Jesus: Confession. The children and parents will have the opportunity to sign up for a pre-First Communion interview with Fr. Jim. The children will also receive a special activity book to do at home with their family. Time to do First Holy Communion Banner!

November 12, 2011 – Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

This is a family event at St. Rose Church. To celebrate Reconciliation, the whole family needs to participate, and so this Reconciliation Service involves not only the one preparing for First Holy Communion but parents and older and younger brothers and sisters. It is important for the whole family to attend. There will be a good handful of priests to help, and so if all goes according to plan, this will take an hour.

April 5, 2012 – Holy Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

This Holy Thursday Mass, when Jesus gave us the Eucharist, is celebrated at each parish. Please arrive at 6:45 p.m. and attend at your parish with your whole family. Those receiving First Holy Communion will participate in the procession at the beginning and at the end. Some lucky apostles might have an opportunity to play an important part at this Mass.

April 12, 2012 – Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

Our famous three stations will happen tonight. Prepare to learn a lot and have fun as well. Parents and children will attend this event together, which will end promptly at 8:00 p.m. We will meet first at St. Rose Church. If it looks like rain, bring an umbrella!

April 19, 2012 – Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

Family Dinner and Formation. This evening will begin at the St. Rose PCC, the school gym. Again, the whole family is invited to a special potluck. Bring your favorite and tastiest dish. You are also welcome to bring aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, neighbors and friends. After a great family meal, with some surprises, the children will have their First Communion practice at church while the parents, family, and friends enjoy a special talk and video. We will be finished by 8:00 p.m.

April 20, 2012 – Friday, during school

This special retreat day takes place at St. Rose School. Those preparing for First Holy Communion take the day to reflect on the great Sacrament of the Eucharist. Details will follow as far as excused absences from the public schools and permission slips.

September 1, 2011

Dear Parents,

     When your child was baptized, you were asked if you were ready to accept the awesome responsibility of training your child in the practice of the faith. The priest or deacon said these words to you, “It will be your duty to bring your child up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor.”

     You willingly and courageously made this promise to God, His Church, yourself and your child. As the pastor of your parish, I want to assure you that I am here to help you keep this promise and to fulfill your responsibility. With the dedication of our teachers at St. Rose School and the CCD teachers at each parish, we thank you for letting us walk with you and your child on this important journey of faith.

     I am often reminded of a very important quote: there are things we have to do in order to do what we really want to do. Any child who is planning on receiving First Holy Communion in April 2012 is required to do a number of things:

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  • Attend Sunday (or Saturday evening) Mass regularly.
  • Participate in religion classes at St. Rose School or CCD classes in one of the four parishes of the Consortium.
  • Attend all the meetings explained in this letter.
  • Finish the books and have interview with their pastor.
  • Try to live lives of love and service at home and school.

     The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. Like anything that is important to us, it requires time and sacrifice. Our program is asking a lot. But Jesus, the one we receive at every Mass—on First Holy Communion Sunday and every Sunday and even every day of our lives until heaven—offers us so much more than we could ever imagine.

    I and all our teachers are looking forward to seeing you and your child at these important meetings of faith formation.

                                                          Praised be Jesus Christ, now and for ever.

                                                          Fr. James C. Csaszar, Pastor