| Acknowledgments | | xi | |
| | 1 | (17) |
| | 4 | (2) |
| | 6 | (5) |
| | 11 | (7) |
| |
| First Communion Celebrations |
| | 18 | (35) |
| Holy Cross's First Communion |
| | 19 | (8) |
| An Analysis of ``the Big Day'' |
| | 27 | (1) |
| Blessed Sacrament's Bilingual Liturgy |
| | 28 | (5) |
| What First Communion Taught |
| | 33 | (1) |
| The Latino Communion Celebration |
| | 34 | (3) |
| Learning from the Spanish Mass |
| | 37 | (3) |
| Performing Heritage and Joining Parishes |
| | 40 | (2) |
| Catholicism in the Bible Belt |
| | 42 | (5) |
| Maintaining African American Identity |
| | 47 | (3) |
| Building a Unified Parish |
| | 50 | (2) |
| | 52 | (1) |
| Drawing, Playing, Listening |
| |
| A Method for Studying Children's Interpretations |
| | 53 | (16) |
| Children's Perceptions as Sources |
| | 54 | (1) |
| Finding Myself In Between |
| | 55 | (6) |
| Informing the Participants |
| | 61 | (3) |
| | 64 | (5) |
| Learning the Mysteries of the Church |
| | 69 | (52) |
| First Communion: History and Ritual Practice |
| | 72 | (4) |
| Teaching: Principles, Practice, and Participation |
| | 76 | (15) |
| | 91 | (1) |
| | 92 | (11) |
| The Meaning of Consecration |
| | 103 | (8) |
| | 111 | (7) |
| Conclusion: Interpreting the Eucharist |
| | 118 | (3) |
| Connecting to Parish and Family |
| | 121 | (64) |
| | 125 | (8) |
| | 133 | (13) |
| Membership and Its Responsibilities |
| | 146 | (5) |
| | 151 | (6) |
| | 157 | (8) |
| Conclusion: Focusing on Present Relationships |
| | 165 | (4) |
| |
| Adding Children's Voices in Religious Studies |
| | 169 | (16) |
| The Ritual in Time and Scope |
| | 171 | (1) |
| Age as a Fourth Category of Analysis |
| | 172 | (1) |
| | 173 | (2) |
| (In)Voluntary Participation |
| | 175 | (2) |
| | 177 | (2) |
| Children's Interpretations |
| | 179 | (4) |
| Children in American Religion |
| | 183 | (2) |
| Appendix A: Structured Interview Questions for Parents and Catechists | | 185 | (1) |
| Appendix B: Child's Assent Forms | | 186 | (3) |
| Notes | | 189 | (40) |
| Bibliography | | 229 | (16) |
| Index | | 245 | |
