Jacob O’Toole — shown here with his mother Daniele in a photo taken by his father Patrick — will be one of two youngsters to receive first holy Communion this summer at St. Maurice Parish in Morrisonville.

It's first holy Communion time at parishes all around the diocese. Following months of preparation April and May are the usual months for second-graders to first receive the sacrament, says Chris Malmevik, associate director for Catechesis.

"The children prepare for two sacraments in second grade," Malmevik says. "They receive first reconciliation earlier on in the school year and then they receive first Communion in the spring."

By the time they receive holy Communion for the first time, the children understand that during Mass ordinary bread and wine are changed to the substance of Christ's body and blood - food for the soul. They are then encouraged to receive it as often as possible for the rest of their lives.

Parents, grandparents and godparents often like to present gifts to their little loved ones on their special sacrament day. Nancy Rapps, sales associate for the Marian Center in Springfield, says parents often choose their children's special first Communion attire - white dresses and veils for girls and ties and tie tacks for boys - as early as January. Later they begin to decide what gift to give.

"We have all kinds of gifts available, including prayer books, Bibles for children, statues, special first Communion crosses and picture frames," says Rapps. She adds that first Communion rosaries are always popular gifts.

Mikaela Kalaskie is all smiles as her mother Shauna helps her try on her dress and veil. Mikaela received her first holy Communion at St. Joseph Church in Chatham on April 19.

"We have a nice packet that comes with a Mass/prayer book, rosary, scapular and pin that comes in white for girls and black for boys," says Rapps. "We also have a really nice book entitled Today I Made My First Communion that has a story with space at the end for photos and to write special memories."

Many students have already received pamphlets from the Marian Center. Adults who are still looking for gift ideas for a child's first Communion can check online at www.mariancenterofspringfield.com .