2021-2022 CALENDAR for FIRST RECONCILIATION
and FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

August 28 - September 12:  Registration Period for all Faith Formation
September 30:  Parent Orientation to First Reconciliation Prep, 6:30 PM
October 9/10: Home Lesson #1
October 23/24:  Home Lesson #2
November 6/7:  Home Lesson #3
November 18:  Parent and Student Check In at Church, 6:30 PM
November 20/21:  Home Lesson #4
December 4/5:  Home Lesson #5
December 18/19:  Home Lesson  #6
January 15:  First Reconciliation Retreat, 9:00 AM - NOON
January 27:  Parent Orientation to First Holy Communion Prep, 6:30 PM
January 29/30:  Home Lesson #1
February 12/13:  Home Lesson #2
February 26/27:  Home Lesson #3
March 10:  Parent and Student Check In at Church, 6:30 PM  
March 12/13:  Home Lesson #4
April 2/3:  Home Lesson #5
April 9/10:  Home Lesson #6
April 23:  First Holy Communion Retreat, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
May 1:  First Holy Communion @ 10:30 AM  Mass
 

We use the RCL Benziger Sacrament Preparation Program:
Reconciliation - We Are Your People, The Sheep of Your Flock
Eucharist - Do This in Memory of Me

God is the source of all life, and in the Sacraments of the Church, we receive the free gift of God's very life - grace.  In every way, the Sacraments are about God's gracious and abundant love, fully revealed in Jesus Christ and strengthened in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The Sacraments - the foundation of Christian living - are visible signs instituted by Christ to give grace.  In the Catholic Church there are seven Sacraments:  Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.  The Sacraments are important parts of each stage of life, in which the outpouring of God's grace is offered to us.  Through the grace given to us in the Sacraments, Jesus brings us into communion with all that is true and good and beautiful - all that leads to the Fullness of Life.

The Sacraments of Initiation, of special interest to our Faith Formation families, are described more fully below:

BAPTISM - The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides a simple explanation for what Jesus does for us in Baptism: "Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments" (CCC 1213).  Through Baptism, we "put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27) and enter more fully into his life.  We are incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, to grow in love and self-giving.  A Baptism Preparation class is required for first time parents.  To schedule this time, please contact the Director of Faith Formation.

FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - Jesus Christ came to bring healing to body, soul, and the whole of creation.

• The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is God's provision for forgiveness of sins and heals us from spiritual sickness and death.  When we participate regularly in this Sacrament we allow ourselves to receive God's loving embrace and be drawn closer to the merciful heart of God.  The grace we receive in this Sacrament deepens our trust in God and strengthens us to forgive and reconcile ourselves to others.
• When we receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion). we express our gratitude for the love of Jesus, who wants to be near us always.  We are grateful to be nourished by Christ through his real presence in the bread and the wine.  We are thankful that we may unite ourselves with the compassion and love of Jesus.  In this way, the Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life" (CCC 1324).
• If you believe your child, aged 7 or older, is ready to appreciate and grow from these Sacraments, please review the calendar to the left and contact the Director of Faith Formation.

CONFIRMATION - Through Confirmation, young people, in conjunction with the community, confirm the faith that is becoming more firmly rooted in heart and soul.  They are "more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit" (CCC1285) that encourages witness and service.  For information about out Confirmation program, please go to the Confirmation page found under the Faith Formation tab.