2024-2025 CALENDAR for FIRST RECONCILIATION
   and FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

NOTE: ALL CHILDREN, WHETHER IN THE CATHOLIC OR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, MUST RECEIVE THEIR EARLY SACRAMENTS PREP IN THEIR HOME PARISH IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENTS!

If you believe your child, aged 7 or older, is ready to appreciate and grow from these Sacraments, please review the calendar below and contact the Parish Office:  715-344-9117, or register through the Registration Link.

August 25:  Parent Orientation to Early Sacrament Prep, 9:15 AM
September 22:  Parent / Student Review of Chapters 1, 2 and 3 at 9:15 AM
October 27:  Parent / Student Review of Chapters 4, 5 and 6 at 9:15 AM
December 14:  First Reconciliation Retreat & Sacrament, 9:00 AM - NOON
January 26:  Parent / Student Review of Chapters 1and 2 at 9:15 AM
February 23:  Parent / Student Review of Chapters 3 and 4 at 9:15 AM
March 23:  Parent / Student Review of Chapters 5 and 6 at 9:15 AM  
April 26:  First Holy Communion Retreat, 9:00 AM - NOON
May 4:  First Holy Communion @ 10:30 AM  Mass

We use the Dynamic Catholic BLESSED Sacrament Preparation Program
 

REGISTRATION LINK HERE: 
https://holyspiritstevenspoint.org/faith-formation-registration

   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 us the graces we need to have life and live it abundantly!

   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:
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.

Preparation for baptism is required for first time parents.
To schedule this time, please contact the Parish Office:  715-344-9117.

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:  How good it is for sincerely contrite persons to confess forthrightly their sins and make amends to a merciful and loving God!  When we participate regularly, 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 receive the outpouring of love Jesus offers us, and give our thanks when we choose to work as One Body with Christ to bring the Kingdom of God to life in the world!  In this way, the Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life" (CCC 1324).

CONFIRMATION - For information about out Confirmation program, please go to the Confirmation page found under the Faith Formation tab.  Thank you!