First Communion
Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. (CCC 1322)*
"At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet 'in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.'" (CCC 1323)*
Children
Children prepare for both First Reconciliation and First Communion when they are in the second grade. They are required to have already completed at least one year of documented religious education at St. Andrew or at another Catholic parish before beginning their First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation.
Adults
Adults prepare for First Eucharist by participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).
RCIA is a process of discernment and education for unbaptized adults who wish to become Catholic. Those baptized in another Christian faith may also participate in this process to come into full communion with the Catholic church. Adults who complete RCIA receive First Eucharist at the Easter vigil Mass.
*Excerpt from the Catechism of the Catholic Church