Father Al and Father Francis wish to meet with each 1st Communicant’s parent with child.
One parent/guardian is required to schedule a private meeting with Fr. Al or Fr. Francis before 1st Reconciliation on February 23. Please contact Fr. Al by phone at the St. Ann Office, 724-627-7568, or by email at fralbinm@gmail.com with the time, date and church location that you are available for a meeting with him or Fr. Francis.
First Reconciliation (for ALL grade 2 CCD students) on Sunday, February 23, at 5:00 pm at
St. Marcellus, 1340 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, PA 15344. The whole family is invited.
Tentative First Communion Rehearsals with Father Al on:
Sunday, April 19: Rehearsal for 1stCommunion at St. Ignatius after 11:30am Mass
Monday, April 20: Rehearsal for 1stCommunion at St. Hugh at 4:30pm during Elementary CCD
CHANGED to Thursday, April 23: Rehearsal for 1stCommunion at St. Ann at 6:00pm
First Communion Masses (one for each CCD location / CCD grade 2 class):
Saturday, April 25: 1st Communion at St. Ann at 4:00pm Mass
Sunday, April 26:
~ 1stCommunion at St. Hugh at 9:30am Mass
~ 1stCommunion at St. Ignatius at 11:30am Mass
Sunday, May 3: 1stCommunion at St. Marcellus at 10:30am Mass (Rehearsal at St. Marcellus: TBA)
**If you wish your child to receive 1stCommunion at St. Marcellus, please inform Linette Kerr. Thank you.
Each child must be present with his/her parent/guardian for 1stReconciliation and 1stCommunion.
For any questionsor if it is impossibleto be present at these important events, please contact ASAP Linette Kerr, Religious Education County Coordinator, by phone at the church office 724-966-7270 or by email at linettekerr@windstream.net. Thank you again for your cooperation.
Parents received the four-session booklet: Getting More Out of Your Child’s First Communion. This booklet and online videos (below) are designed for you as parents to reflect on this great gift that your child is receiving and perhaps renewing our own understanding of the Sacrament. Please watch below:
Please watch below:
Please watch below:
As Catholics, we believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal, bearing the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. As we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we are also nourished spiritually and brought closer to God. .
The Eucharist (from the Greek word eucharistia 'thanksgiving') is the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in which he is present under the forms of bread and wine offering himself in the sacrifice of the Mass and giving himself as spiritual food to the faithful. At the Last Supper, the Lord instituted the eucharistic sacrifice of his body and blood. He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to the church a memorial of his death and resurrection. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive holy Communion.
We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour.
A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the body and blood of Christ without prior sacramental confession, except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession.
In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (Code of Canon Law,Canon 916). A frequent reception of the sacrament of reconciliation is encouraged for all.
Catechism of the Catholic Church (The Sacrament of the Eucharist, Article #1322 through #1419)
For those who are interested in becoming Catholic,
First Communion is part of the Catholic Rite of Christian Adult Initiation, which is also known as RCIA.
For those who are not yet of adult age, First Communion is available for younger Catholics
through our Religious Education Program.