When do kids start CCD to get for 1st communion?

[Alicnwondrln]

We are catholic. We dont go to church often and have struggled with what to pass on to the boys. Shawn is baptized catholic. He is starting to ask about god and heaven and stuff. I was going to call the chruch and see how this works. I was around 5 when my parents divorced and I never did any of that. 1st communion, confirmation any of it. So i am not really familiar with it. We are alittle concerned with the churches stand on certain things but.. I am hoping that it will help teach him important lessons and what him learn right from wrong and that its ok to make mistakes. To be compassionate which is why we are concerned about the churches stand on gays rights. We dont have issues with people making this choice for themselves. Any info about how this works and the age you start these classes would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[JKMastalski]

I started CCD classes in 2nd grade and then continued up until 8th grade. Looking back, it was probably a total waste of money for my parents, because I couldn't tell you anything about what we learned. Although I do believe it was important to have my first communion and my confirmation.

 

[pumba]

Catholic Christian Doctrine I believe it stands for

In our Diosese.....they prepare from kindergarten to second grade and do First Communion and Penance in that grade and also they do the Confirmation too

 

[bananiem]

Our kids did Confession and First Communion during the 2nd grade. Confirmation will be in high school.
I also have some conflict with the church's teachings, but so did the priest at our last church! His belief was "Who are we to judge others?" That's the stand I want my kids to take as well.
I also wanted to add that our diocese no longer has CCD, perse. They call in Generations of Faith and it's once a month and the whole church family is SUPPOSED to be involved, whether you have kids or not. Also, the families enrolled in the parochial school are supposed to attend. Many of them want to know why they're paying tuition then.

 

[goingbackagain]

Most churches have ccd for those in Kinderg. but all churces by me require you attend ccd for 1st and 2nd grade for communion in 2nd grade. My children go every year. Some people only go the year before the sacrament, which is what they require. Our kids don't make confirmation until 11th gr. and they go to ccd every year.

 

[jellymanoffspring]

Hi Kelly,

If you want your child receive and learn.....have him go all through out grade school not just "special" years!

Also if you are interesed in receiving the Sacraments yourself...contact your parish aboout their RCIA program...it is a wonderful way to learn more about your faith and to receive the Sacraments!

In my parish you go to a class for about a year and receive at the Easter Vigil......it is very moving and meaningful!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

well it certainly is alot to digest. I think I will call the church and see how it is set up
Then we can sit down and figure out to make it work for uor family.
thanks again for the responses.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

It is called PSR here, "Parish School of Religion". My dd's are making there 1st Communion and Confirmation this year.

The requirement here is that you have to have been in classes the year before to participate in the ceremonies. Otherwise the child has to take a "make-up" class that year. Ours is called "Ready, Set, Grow". My older dd did take those classes because I didn't get her baptized & communion until she was 9. She has been in classes ever since and now is 13 and going to be Confirmed.

 

[nhpooh]

When my DD's were little they started CCD in Kindergarten, made there First Communion in second grade. Penance is in the third grade and Confirmation is in the tenth grade. They went to CCD all that time.

 

[goingbackagain]

Penance is done before 1st communion. Usually the same year, but a month or so before making communion.

 

[golfgal]

Not every parish does the sacraments in the same order. Technically, Confirmation should come before Communion, but I don't know of any parish that does that. Reconcilliation should happen before Communion, but a lot of parishes don't feel that 2nd graders are mature enough to confess their sins. Growing up, we had Confession, as it was called then, and confirmation in 6th grade, Communion was in 2nd grade.

 

[JennBon]

At my church, CCD started in first grade. This is when you had your Reconciliation (First Confession). Then in 2nd grade you made First Communion. 8th grade was Confirmation. Honestly I cannot remember a thing I learned and it was only 3 years ago. BUT if your son is really interested in religion, it's worth looking into. Plus, he would need to be Confirmed in order to get married in the Catholic church.

 

[elliemae1192]

I started CCD classes in 2nd grade and then continued up until 8th grade. Looking back, it was probably a total waste of money for my parents, because I couldn't tell you anything about what we learned. Although I do believe it was important to have my first communion and my confirmation.

You had to pay? My kids go to Catholic school now so they learn religion there and don't have to go to CCD, but back when my son went to public school he was in CCD classes and it didn't cost anything.

If your kids don't go to Catholic school they're supposed to be in CCD every year until comfirmation which is usually in 8th grade. Here it's just an hour of a "sunday school" type class right after mass.

 

[CamColt]

At our Church (in case you are wondering its St Anthony's in Woburn) kids can sign up in 1st grade. They have parents who volunteer to teach classes. First Penance and First Communion are made in 2nd grade. DS just made his Penance a few weeks ago, and Communion will be in May. I believe Confirmation is 10th grade.

 

[MsDisney23]

My dd went to Catholic School, they started them in Kindergarden, it was part of their religious education class. Communion was in 2nd. grade.

 

[cameron991]

I teach PSR and here our kids start in 1st grade and receive communion in 2nd grade. There is a fee to attend the classes as well.

 

[golfgal]

Our Faith Formation Program (the new Politically Correct term for CCD) charges $30/year and that mainly covers the cost of the text book and supplies for class, pretty minimal, and if you can't afford that, there is no charge. Our kids go to the Catholic school, so obviously the "fees" are much higher then that, lol!

 

[nhpooh]

Penance is done before 1st communion. Usually the same year, but a month or so before making communion.

Not in our church, they changed it.