First Reconciliation & First Communion

The Catholic Church teaches that parents are the primary educators of their child. Information about how you can prepare as a family will be coming soon.

Preparation Through Liturgy

The Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life,” (Lumen Gentium, 11) and is the primary way that the Church teaches and forms us. The most important part of your child’s preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion is your family’s weekly attendance at Sunday mass.

Preparation through the
Faith Formation Program
Preparation for receiving first reconciliation and first Communion occurs within the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. The preparation is a two year process that culminates with a series of scriptural meditations and a retreat.

Preparation through St. Mary School
Preparation for receiving first reconciliation and first Communion within the parish school occurs in second grade. School children will also receive some CGS style presentations

Immediate Preparation

Because it is in the sacrament of Holy Communion that our community becomes united as the body of Christ and true human community is created (cf. Ecclesia de Eucharistia), it is most appropriate that the entire community who is preparing for first sacraments gather together for the final moments of preparation.

Sacramental Meditations
In the Spring, children from both the faith formation program and the school, together with their adult, receive a series of lectio divina style meditations focused on entering more deeply into the mysteries of the sacraments which they are preparing to receive. There are five Scriptural Meditations focused on the True Vine (John 15:1-11), the Found Sheep and the Found Coin (Luke 15:4-10), the Loving Father (a.k.a. The Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-24), and the Centurion’s Servant (Matthew 8:8).

First Sacraments Weekend
Saturday: Retreat and First Reconciliation The retreat begins with families and children attending mass together. Children remain at the church for their retreat which is a quiet and joyful time of prayer, special activities, examination of conscience, and practice receiving unconsecrated bread. In the afternoon, families rejoin their children to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Sunday: First Communion Mass and Retreat After the first Communion mass, children are invited to return on retreat for a brief time. This is a special opportunity for them to personally respond to the greatest of gifts that they have just received.