While the big event isn’t until May, 2nd grade prepares for First Communion all year. So what exactly does it take to make this Sacrament in 2018? It isn’t just purchasing a snappy outfit and planning a party, these kids are working year round to prepare for their special day. Our conversations on the Sacrament began the first week of school when I posed the question- “what are you looking forward to in 2nd grade?” Mixed in amongst the standard answers of becoming a better reader, P.E, recess (of course) and learning cursive- First Communion is always a popular answer. Ask any Catholic adult if they remember their First Communion and most will be able to tell you that it is one of the few things they do remember about their early elementary days. But ask the same adult the pointed question of- “how did you prepare for this Sacrament” and they will probably stare blankly at you. Yes parents there is more to preparing for Communion than just sending your child to a Catholic school and purchasing the outfit! Corpus 2nd graders have a whole host (no pun intended!) of preparatory activities they attend before the big day:
- A retreat in October with their parents
- A retreat in April with their parents
- Weekly Sunday school classes in the weeks leading up to the Sacrament
- A practice run a few days before with parents
- In class prayer service
- Weekly in class journaling
- Regular religion classes led by Father Leo to learn about Communion and to practice
All this in addition to our regular 2nd grade religion classes! Despite practicing repeatedly on how to actually receive Communion, the nerves are still palpable on the big day. Truly there is nothing cuter than 8 year olds in white dresses and pint sized suits anxiously sitting with their parents and waiting for their moment to arrive. With the careful guidance of Father Leo and the occasional whispered reminder to cup your hands and do the sign of the cross, witnessing the sheer pride on these kids’ faces after receiving Communion was one of my stand-out memories of teaching at Corpus last year and I am very much looking forward to it again this year.