Reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation is a two-year process. The first year of preparation takes place in Grade One.
Children
who do not enter our program in Grade One are prepared for the reception of the
sacrament on an individual basis.
Children
with special needs are evaluated on an individual basis.
Immediate
preparation for reception of First Reconciliation takes place in the first
semester of second grade. Instruction
and an opportunity to celebrate the sacrament must precede and be separate from
instruction for first reception of Holy Eucharist. –Diocesan Policy
Before entering the immediate preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, children should have a basic knowledge of the following traditional prayers:
Sign
of the Cross
Our
Father (The Lord’s Prayer)
Hail
Mary
Act
of Contrition
Immediate
preparation for the sacrament includes a basic knowledge of the Rite of
Reconciliation.
Following
is the form for a child’s private confession:
Begin
with the Sign of the Cross
Confession
of sins and giving of penance
Act
of Contrition
Absolution
and closing prayer
Carry
out penance
First
Reconciliation takes place at a prayer service, during regular class time, and
usually on the same day child attends class.
Arrival:
Children will report to class at regular class time.
Guests proceed to church.
Attire:
Dress should be appropriate – Sunday best.
Sacrament
Certificates:
May be picked up in the Gathering
place as you leave church.
No
penitential service or confession shall be recorded, photographed or
videotaped. This shall apply in a
particular way to the celebration of First Reconciliation. –Diocesan Policy
The children of the parish celebrate their First Communion as a group during the Spring of the third year in the religious education program.
First
Eucharist Guidelines:
Any
child of registered members of St. Justin the Martyr parish is eligible to
begin First Eucharist preparation in Grade One.
Immediate
preparation for reception of First Eucharist takes place in the second semester
of second grade and is to be kept separate from and follow preparation for
first reception of Reconciliation.
–Diocesan Policy
Candidate
Readiness:
The candidate should know who Jesus
is and the main events of His life.
The candidate should realize that
Jesus is present in the Eucharistic Bread and Wine.
The candidate should indicate desire
to receive the Eucharist.
Children with special needs will be prepared on an
individual basis.
Parent/Guardian
Expectations:
Regular
family attendance at Sunday liturgy and participation in the spiritual life of
the Church.
Participation
in two parent/guardian meetings – one in the Fall before Reconciliation, and
the second in the Spring. Both meetings
will provide updating and renewing the adult’s theology and faith regarding
these sacraments.
Celebration:
The
celebration of First Eucharist takes place at a liturgy that is exclusively for
First Communicants and their families.
There are two scheduled liturgies in late Spring.
Tickets will be distributed to families and guests.
Dress:
Girls wear white dresses and veils provided by the
program.
Boys
wear navy blue suits or navy jacket and slacks, white shirts and a tie provided
by the program.
Arrival:
Children
will report to the Parish Hall 45 minutes before scheduled Liturgy time. Guests proceed to church.
Sacrament
Certificates:
Distributed in the Parish Hall after
the Liturgy.
Please
– due to space limitations, only one parent meet the student in the Parish Hall
after Mass.
No
personal photography, video or still is allowed during the entire liturgy of
First Eucharist in keeping with the spirit of worship.