Wednesday, September 17th , 7:00pm in the church

First Reconciliation Parent Meeting (Parents only)

Thursday, October 23rd , 7:00pm in the church

First Reconciliation Autumn Workshop (Parents and Students)

Saturday, November 8th, 9:00am & Noon in the PAC (your assigmed TBD)

First Reconciliation Retreat: Lamb Day (Parents and Students)

Saturday, January 10th, 10:00am in the church

First Reconciliation Service

Thursday, January 22nd, 7:00pm in the church

First Communion Parent Meeting (Parents only)

Thursday, February 19th, 7:00pm in the church

First Communion Winter Workshop (Parents and Students)

Thursday, March 19th, 7:00pm in the church

First Communion Spring Workshop (Parents and Students)

Saturday, April 18th, 10:00am in the PAC

First Communion Retreat: Bread Day (Parents and Students)

Tuesday, May 5th, 6:30pm in the Lunch Room

First Communion Dress Rehearsal (AM Group)

Wednesday, May 6th, 6:30pm in the Lunch Room

First Communion Dress Rehearsal (PM Group)

Saturday, May 9th, 10:00am & 1:00pm

First Communion Masses

1. Registration (in August)

2. Sacrament Materials Fee ($65)

3. Enrollment in a Catholic Grade School, Parish School of Religion, Home School Religion

4. Baptism Certificate

5. Attend Formation Workshops and Retreats (complete the given assignments)

We ask all our guests to the First Reconciliation Service and First Communion Masses to practice Mass Etiquette.

1. Arrive early to ensure a parking spot, find your seat, and settle your heart for the liturgy. Each liturgy will begin at their designated starting times.

2. Genuflect to the tabernacle when entering and leaving the church. Christ truly present in the tabernacle. If you are unable to genuflect, then a bow is sufficient.

3. Dress appropriately for the event you are attending. Ladies, be mindful of the length of your skirts and pants along with the cuts of your shirts. Gentlemen, be mindful of wearing hats in church. They should be taken off prior to entering the nave (main part of the church). This ask is not to  mandate clothing, but to show proper respect to God.

4. Silence your phones and refrain from using them during the liturgies. Should an emergency occur, you are welcome to address it in the Gathering Area or Good Shepherd Square. This is to prevent distracting others around you.

5. Limit conversations during the liturgies, especially during Holy Communion. Keep in mind that other around you can hear your conversations, and the clergy can easily tell if you are talking.

The expectations for the preparation for the sacrament of First Reconciliation are for the children to attend the Autumn Workshop and Lamb Day Retreat along with completing their First Reconciliation workbook. If a workshop or retreat were missed, a “We Missed You” packet will be sent home the following week with a due date to return the missed materials. The completion of the “We Missed You” packet will your child’s absence into a made up. If a child misses all the formation events and does not complete the “We Missed You” packets, an in-person meeting with the Director of Faith will be needed to assess if the child is well-prepared to receive the sacrament.

During this time of preparation, the children will begin to learn about sins and how they hurt our relationships, how to examine sins using the Ten  Commandments, and how much God loves us and wants a relationship with us.

Every child should become familiar with the Act of Contrition. We are not asking them to memorize the prayer. Every child should also become familiar with the prayers Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be along with the Ten Commandments.

Coming soon!

Information to be added throughout the preparation season.

The expectations for the preparation for the sacrament of First Holy Communion are for the children to attend the Winter and Spring Workshops and Bread Day Retreat along with completing their First Communion workbook. If a workshop or retreat were missed, a “We Missed You” packet will be sent home the following week with a due date to return the missed materials. The completion of the “We Missed You” packet will your child’s absence into a made up. If a child misses all the formation events and does not complete the “We Missed You” packets, an in-person meeting with the Director of Faith will be needed to assess if the child is well-prepared to receive the sacrament.

During this time of preparation, the children will begin to learn about what/who the Eucharist is, what the Mass is and the highlight moments within the Mass, why we say certain responses, and practice receiving the Blessed Sacrament.

Every child should become familiar with the Mass. The best way to achieve this is by having each family and First Communicant attend Sunday (when possible, daily) Masses. Every child should also become familiar with the responses throughout the Mass and proclaim them proudly.

Coming Soon!

Information to be added throughout the preparation season.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession or Penance, is a

sacrament in the Catholic Church where individuals seek forgiveness for their sins after baptism. Through this sacrament, we are reconciled with God and the Church, experiencing God's grace and healing.

Key aspects of Reconciliation:

Healing: This sacrament of healing restores the relationship with God and the Church that has been weekend by sin.

Forgiveness: As Catholics, we believe that Jesus gave his apostles’ the authority to

forgive sins that we commit after Baptism. Just as the early followers went to the

apostles’ to receive this forgiveness, we go to a priest to confess out sins.

Conversion: After continuous visits to this beautiful sacrament, a conversion takes

place. Frequently committed sins become less frequent, and we begin to turn away from sins and turn towards God.

Penance: The priest will give a penance, such as prayers or a specific act, to help us

amend our lives and avoid future sins.

Contrition: We are asked to recite our Act of Contrition. The Act of Contrition is when someone expresses their sincere sorrow for their sins and to ask God’s help in avoiding sin in the future sins.

Absolution: The priest says a special prayer called the “absolution”. By saying this prayer, they are declaring the individual has been forgiven by God.

As Catholics, we believe that the bread and wine that is brought up during the offertory are consecrated into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. It is through the Eucharistic Prayer recited by the priest(s) that the bread undergoes transubstantiation. The substance of the bread and wine is changed into the substance of Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, while the appearance remains the same.

Key aspects of Holy Communion:

Sacrament of Thanksgiving: The Eucharist is a sacrament of Thanksgiving,

commemorating Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross.

Celebration at Mass: While there can be Communion Services with already

consecrated bread and wine, a Mass is the only place where the bread and wine can be consecrated.

Transubstantiation: The substance of the bread and wine is changed into the

substance of Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, while the appearance remains the same.

Requirements for Receiving: Catholics who wish to receive Holy Communion should be in a state of grace (free from mortal sin), prepared to receive Jesus, and have fasted one hour prior.

Importance of Community: When Catholic receive the Blessed Sacrament and Precious Blood, it unites them with Christ and each other. This forms the “one body” of the Church.

What time is Rehearsal? How long with it be?

Rehearsal is dependent on your child’s First Communion Mass time and

date. Every rehearsal will be a dress rehearsal where the children will

wear their full First Communion attire. The rehearsal length will depend on

the number of First Communicants for that Mass, with an hour and 15

minutes max.

What happens at the Rehearsal?

During the rehearsal, the children will practice the processional, readings, petitions, Mass responses, setting down the kneelers, and receiving First Communion (both species). The children will receive an unconsecrated host during the practice portion of Communion, and there will be water in the cups to practice drinking from the cups.

Can parents stay for the rehearsal?

Parents are welcome to stay, but should they wish to stay in the Church, we ask that they practice sacred silence to assist the Sacramental Team in keeping rehearsal running smoothly. Parents are welcome to chat in Good Shepherd’s Square or our new pavilion.

What are the First Communicants expected to wear for First Communion?

a. The only dress code for First Communion is that it must be Sunday Best. Traditionally, the girls wear a white dress, with a veil (or a tiara, floral headpiece, ribbon, etc.), and white shoes. Traditionally, the boys wear a dress suit with a collared white shirt, with a tie (white, black, navy), dress jacket (white, black, navy), dress pants (white, black, navy), and dress shoes.

Will my child need to make a First Communion banner?

Yes! The banner dimensions need to be xx” x xx” with a rod no longer than "xx” with a string xx”. The banner will be used to designate the First Communicant’s family’s pew.

Will there be assigned seats at First Communion?

Yes, the First Communicants will have assigned seats as a group. Family will also have assigned seats designated by their child’s First Communion Banner. In January, each family will receive a First Communion RSVP form with the allotted guests per family.

What time does my child need to arrive on First Communion day?

The First Communicants should arrive no later than 30 minutes in the Lunch Room before the start of Mass. Please be aware that the Mass will not be delayed and will start exactly at its starting times.

Will the First Communion Masses be on livestream?

Yes! More information regarding the livestream will be emailed to the families with the password in April.