In The Diocese of St. Augustine Office of Christian Formation
Parents are the primary educators of their child/children. In celebrating the Rite of Baptism of Infants, parents publicly commit to forming their children in the life of faith.
Parents are addressed:
“Parents you have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him/her in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him/her up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and neighbor.”
“Parents have a right and duty to be intimately involved in preparing their children for First Communion. Catechesis aims to help parents grow in their understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist and participate readily in the catechizing of their children. Parish or school programs of religious formation assist parents in this most important responsibility but never usurp the rightful role of parents.
When speaking of the readiness of a child to celebrate a sacrament, there are three areas to address: the family, the individual and the parish community.
Family: primary place of child’s formation
The readiness of the individual involves the following:
Basic themes to be taught prior to First Eucharist: