First Holy Communion

"Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love." - St. John Paul II

2025-2026 Sacramental Preparation for First Holy Communion:


Children complete two consecutive years of preparation prior to receiving the sacraments of First Communion. After the completion of the second year, each child will participate in a  Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Ceremonies.


Classes start the second week of October.


Requirements for Sacramental Preparation of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion: 

  • Must be baptized
  • At least age 7 
  • Weekly class attendance
  • Weekly Mass attendance


To Register you child, please bring: 

  • Copy of Baptism certificate
  • Registration fee ($75.00)
  • Letter of completion from the parish for their first year, if your child is transferring from another parish.


Register for Classes:
Please register in-person by setting up an appointment with the Coordinator of Sacramental Preparation, Elizabeth Bucio. E-mail her at ebucio@sbdiocese.org or call 760-323-2669 ext 315.

Office hours are 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Mon/Wed/Fri.

Remember to bring in your documents and payments to the Religious Education office by September 26, 2025 for your child to start classes.


If you have any questions, please contact the Coordinator of Sacramental Preparation at ebucio@sbdiocese.org.


Make a payment online:

  • Click the green button below
  • Scroll down to Sacramental Formation and click the purple button "Give Now"
  • Cost per child is $75.00
  • In the notes, please include each child's full name that have registered for Sacramental Preparation Classes


If the cost of sacramental preparation is a hardship, please do not be discouraged to sign your child up for classes. Contact the Coordinator of Sacramental Preparation, Elizabeth Bucio, at 760-323-2669 ext 315.









Make a Payment

Preparación Sacramental para la Primera Comunión 2025-2026:


Los niños completan dos años consecutivos de preparación antes de recibir el sacramento de la Primera Comunión. Después del segundo año, cada niño participará en una ceremonia de Primera Comunión.


Las clases comienzan la segunda semana de octubre.


Requisitos para la Preparación Sacramental para la Reconciliación y la Primera Comunión:

  • Debe estar bautizado
  • Tener al menos 7 años
  • Asistencia a clases semanales
  • Asistencia a misa semanal


Para inscribir a su hijo/a, por favor traiga:

  • Copia del acta de bautismo
  • Costo de inscripción ($75.00)
  • Si su hijo/a se transfiere de otra parroquia, debe presentar una carta de finalización de la parroquia correspondiente a su primer año.


Inscripción a las clases:

Por favor, inscríbase en persona, programando una cita con la Coordinadora de Preparación Sacramental, Elizabeth Bucio. Envíele un correo electrónico a ebucio@sbdiocese.org o llame al

760-323-2669 ext. 315. El horario de atención es de 10:00 a. m. a 1:00 p. m., lunes, miércoles y viernes.


Recuerde entregar sus documentos y pagos en la oficina de Educación Religiosa antes del 26 de septiembre de 2025 para que su hijo/a comience las clases.


Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con la Coordinadora de Preparación Sacramental a ebucio@sbdiocese.org.


Realice un pago en línea:

  • Haga clic en el botón verde de abajo
  • Desplácese hasta Formación Sacramental y haga clic en el botón morado "Donar ahora"
  • El costo por niño es de $75.00.
  • En las notas, incluya el nombre completo de cada niño inscrito en las clases de Preparación Sacramental


Si el costo de la preparación sacramental le resulta difícil, no se desanime y matricule a su hijo en las clases. Comuníquese con la Coordinadora de Preparación Sacramental, Elizabeth Bucio, al 760-323-2669 ext. 315.


Enviar pago de clases

Registration for First Communion sacramental preparation is open!

Classes begin September 2026

First Communion

First Communion is the first time one receives the Sacrament of Eucharist. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is one of seven sacraments that can be received through the Catholic Church. Sometimes considered a milestone in one's Catholic faith journey, it is much more than that. The catechism tells us that the "Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life". The source meaning, Christ himself. While all the sacraments are from Jesus our Christ and Savior, the Eucharist, is truly Him appearing as bread and wine. The word summit means the highest point or peak of progression. When used to describe the Eucharist, it means that it is the highest point of Christian spirituality and everything that has made up our spiritual life, such as other sacraments and all the ways we live out our Christian lives. This is why First Communion is so profound and necessary as Catholics. So, at Mass, when you hear this Eucharistic prayer:

Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.

It is at that moment that the bread and wine are turned into the body and blood of Christ, and we are reminded that our entire spiritual life begins and ends with the Eucharist.


This Sacrament is also one of thanksgiving. Once one understands the deep depth of the Sacrament, it will be hard to miss Mass to thank Christ for His sacrifice, grace, and love.


 If you believe your child is ready to prepare for First Communion, you will find class information and how to register below. I look forward to a new year and helping your child prepare for their Sacraments.




Class Information

  • This is a two year program with class sessions held in-person.
  • Class Day/Time: Tuesdays, from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm.
  • Attending Mass on Saturday or Sunday is required for children to fully prepare.
  • In year 2 of Sacramental Prep, your child will celebrate their Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Communion.


Requirements

  • Child must be at least 7 years old.
  • Child must be baptized and a copy of their Baptism certificate submitted with registration.
  • Fee of $75 to be paid at time of registration. Payment Plan can be arranged.

If you have any questions, please email the Coordinator of Sacramental Preparation, Elizabeth Bucio,

at ebucio@sbdiocese or call (619) 342-1128.


Registration

Register in-person by visiting the Religious Education Office from 10:00am - 1:00 pm Monday through Thursday. An appointment is highly recommended to ensure Coordinator's availability . Please call 619-342-1128 to make an appointment.


Thursday, April 23, 2026 visit us at the Religious Education Office from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

to register, submit documents, or pay fees.


Register online. Please indicate if you are registering for first year or second year on the form.

Also, make sure you review the form for any errors before submitting.

Register Online Now

Free Family Catechesis Resources


Step-by-step instructions to access your free subscription of Formed though the St. Theresa Parish Subscription : 

  1. Go to the sign-up page: Navigate to formed.org/signup.
  2. Find your parish: Search for your parish by entering its name or zip code (92264, St. Theresa Parish).
  3. Register with your information: Enter your name and email address, then click "Sign Up" or follow the prompts to create your account.
  4. Check your email: Look for a confirmation or sign-in link in your email inbox and click it to verify your account and start using FORMED.


Suggested video series for all parents and guardians of Sacramental Preparation students:


Presence:  The Mystery of the Eucharist:

Formed Link: https://app.formed.org/app/collections/116241


Watch a preview of  Presence, Episode 1: God Is with Us below: