FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

"Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood shall live in Me, and I in him."  --John 6:55

St. Therese Church offers two programs for First Holy Communion.  The first is a two-year program (two years is mandated by the Archdiocese) that is part of our School of Religious Education.  The student normally begins his or her preparation in the First Grade and receives Holy Communion at the end of the Second Grade.  The second is also a two-year program for children; however, it is especially for older children--up to 8th Grade.  

For adults who have not received either the Sacraments of Baptism and/or First Communion, the program they would attend is called R.C.I.A., which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.  The program begins each Fall, and those enrolled normally receive the Sacraments of Baptism (unless previously baptized in either a Catholic or a recognized Protestant church), First Holy Communion,  and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.  If the person is already baptized AND has already received his or her First Communion but has not been confirmed, he or she would enroll in our Adult Confirmation Program and receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at a separate Mass shortly after Easter.  Please see the RCIA page under our Ministry section for more information on that program.

For more information about any of these programs, please contact Fr. David Guzman at (626) 282-2744, ext. 232.