What a joy when a child is ready to prepare for the Sacraments of 1st Confession and 1st Holy Communion! Being forgiven of our sins in Reconciliation and receiving the most Precious Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist are great gifts given to us by Jesus and entrusted to the Church. In addition to being at least seven years old by the date of 1st Holy Communion (Sunday, May 4th, 2025), those seeking the Sacrament of First Reconciliation must:

• be a baptized Catholic;
• have attained the use of reason;
• have contrition for sin;
• have a firm resolution to sin no more;
• and be suitably instructed and properly disposed.

Furthermore, those seeking First Holy Communion must:
 

• be a baptized Catholic;
• have made a prior confession;
• have attained the use of reason;
• be in a state of grace;
• be suitably instructed and properly disposed;
• and have abstained from food or drink for at least one hour prior to reception.

*In order to be considered as suitably instructed and properly disposed, children must "understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity and be able to receive the Body of Christ with faith and devotion."

First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion sacramental preparation will be a joint program for all families in Holy Cross Pastorate. These are required additional sessions outside of the normal faith formation schedule and/or school day. At least one parent is expected to attend these sessions with their child. They will be held once a month at St. Francis Xavier, typically on the first Wednesday of the month from 6-7:30pm. Please refer below for the full schedule. Parents will meet at the same time as their children, but will have sessions geared specifically for them as adults. We will have an informational Parent Meeting on Wednesday, September 11th at 6:30 pm at St. Francis Xavier to go over the year ahead and to answer any questions you may have.

Schedule

• Wednesday, October 2nd
• Wednesday, November 6th
• Wednesday, December 4th
• SATURDAY, January 18th, 8:30am - noon (Day of 1st Reconciliation)
• Wednesday, February 5th
• TUESDAY, March 4th (different day, due to Ash Wednesday)
• Wednesday, April 2nd
• SATURDAY, April 26th, 8:30am - noon (1st Communion Retreat Day)
• SATURDAY, MAY 3RD (Rehearsal day; time depends on where your child will be receiving First Holy Communion) 
  • St. Mary at 9:30am
  • St. Francis Xavier at 11am
  • St. Bernard at 1pm
  • St. Peter at 3pm 
• SUNDAY, MAY 4TH (First Holy Communion Day)
  • St. Mary - TBD
  • St. Peter at 9:30am Mass
  • St. Bernard at 10am Mass
  • St. Francis Xavier at 10:30am Mass 

If you have any questions regarding child sacramental prep or if you still need to register, please contact Michelle LeVeque.