When a child demonstrates an ability to understand God's presence in the Eucharist, the parish invites the child and parents to prepare for reception of the Eucharist. The invitation is given when the child attains the age of discretion, i.e. about seven years of age. Throughout the time of the parish religious education, the parents extend the parish program by weekly attendance at a parish Mass, working with the text issued by the Office of Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation, and by participating in in-person sessions as a group, including a First Communion Retreat.
Sacramental Preparation for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion will be family- focused. Preparation will take place primarily in the home with opportunities to come together as a group throughout the journey. Parents will be given a book for each Sacrament with a schedule for completion at home. The schedule will have a series of due dates where work will be due to catechists. This schedule will be sent out to registered families as we get closer to September.
Three times for each Sacrament, we will gather together at Holy Spirit for Mass, faith sharing, and discussion of important doctrine surrounding the Sacrament your child is preparing to receive. These 3 in-person sessions are mandatory for communicants and parent(s) or another adult family member intricately involved in the child's life/faith upbrining. One of the three required sessions for First Holy Communion is the shared, communicant-parent First Communion Retreat.
The purpose of this organization of the program is to place the focus on the fostering of the faith at home. As parents, you are the first teachers of the faith and preparation for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion involves the formation of the family.
Below are the schedules for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion for 2023-2024
First Reconciliation in-person Preparation Dates
First Communion in-person Preparation Dates
All sessions will be held at Holy Spirit.
Sacramental Preparation classes are held in addition to Wednesday evening Faith Formation Classes and Religion classes in the school.
First Reconciliation Parent Meeting: Monday, September 18, 2023, 6:00 - 7:00 pm
First Reconciliation Prayer Service: Saturday, February 10, 2024, 10:00 am in St. Stephen School Hall
First Reconciliation Prayer Service SNOW DATE: Saturday, March 2, 2024, 10:00 am in St. Stephen School Hall
First Communion Retreat: Saturday, April 13, 2024, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
First Holy Communion Options: