[Adults seeking information on First Eucharist in the church should see the information under the RCIA program.]

Much of a child's learning occurs at mealtime, beginning with the cuddling that makes warm milk taste sweeter. It grows by leaps and bounds when the child takes a seat at the family table. Sharing the day's happenings give a little one a keener sense of what is important to this family. Older members add family history-memories of that unimaginable time when Mommy was a little girl, how grandparents met, fond anecdotes.


The same is true of God's table. There all God's children not only repeat Jesus' story; they also express in their conversation with God and with one another what is important to this Church family, this parish family. Children may find a homily directed at adults hard to follow, but they pick up a sense of family from announcements of parish happenings, food collections for the poor, the way people greet each other, the news they exchange at the church door. Slowly, children get to know the folks at Mass and hear their personal expression of baptismal faith.


A first communicant has all along been learning the meaning of Christian identity from others-lisping prayers with parents and watching them at worship. Very young children catch a glimpse of the parish family at prayer and gain an impression of the eucharistic meal. The shushing finger on a parent's lips conveys that something important is happening here; people's reverence at Communion tells that what is dispensed from those shiny dishes is special indeed.


Children's preparation for First Communion begins with early visits to Sunday Mass, where they absorb the sights and smell and sounds of Catholic worship. And all of us take part in teaching what Eucharist is all about, whether we realize it or not. We welcome them with friendly smiles-or, less happily, threatening scowls. We convey with our whole selves the many meanings Eucharist has for us.


First Eucharist Schedule - Children eligible for First Eucharist will continue to faithfully attend Family Faith Formation classes on their scheduled Sunday with their families as well as special classes just for those children to be held at St. Jude's. (Schedule for these sessions will be announced at a later date.)


First Eucharist Parent Meetings - Please contact the Rectory (973-398-6377) for scheduling information


Dates for First Eucharist - First Eucharist is a special event for St. Jude's, for these youngsters have made the journey toward the Lord's table together; the class is a child's first faith community outside the family circle. The children receive their First Communion with their families at a regular Sunday Liturgy, usually during the first few weekends in May.

First Eucharist Celebration Schedule - To be announced at later date and will be during regular Sunday liturgy.