The clusters of families were heading from parking lots to Holy Family Catholic School, which was serving as a waiting area for the children until the 5 p.m. first Communion service at the parish church next door. Her mother, Karen, took pictures. Other parents also picked the statue as a scenic backdrop to capture their offsprings' memorable day. For Catholics, first Communion, like marriage, is a sacrament. Joshua Stubenhofer kneels in prayer during the service conducted Saturday by the Rev. Robert J. Schneider, pastor at Holy Family Catholic Church, before 58 children receive their first Communion.
Baptism is the first.
Full initiation comes with confirmation. For the children at Holy Family, confirmation will take place in the eighth grade. First Communion, as it implies, is the first time that a child participates in Holy Communion, or the Eucharist, the center of Catholic faith. We believe in a doctrine called transubstantiation, which means that the bread and wine substantially become the body and blood of Christ. They are no longer bread and wine.