First Reconciliation & Eucharist Preparation

Registration for the 2022-2023 Sacramental Preparation year is closed. Please contact kayla.rooney@stjosephcommunity.org to inquire about 2023-2024.

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2022-2023 First Sacraments Key Dates & Information (PDF Download)

Reconciliation Home Guide Go Seek Find (PDF Download)

Eucharist Home Guide Go Seek Find (PDF Download)

First Sacraments - First Reconciliation & First Eucharist

Youth can begin preparing for these two Sacraments as early as 2nd Grade.

Preparation

Preparation for First Sacraments is in addition to being a part of our Family Formation program and/or enrolled in Catholic School.

St. Joseph Community utilizes the Saint Mary's Press "Go, Seek, & Find" program as the primary curriculum. The Sacrament of Reconciliation consists of 8 at-home lessons and the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist has 10 at-home lessons. Each youth receives their own Bible, lesson worksheets, and stickers to enhance their learning. Parents are provided a home guide to assist in teaching the lessons at home for these Sacraments.

In addition to the at-home lessons, there are 2 required Saturday Morning learning retreats (1 per Sacrament). At least one parent is required to attend the Saturday Morning retreat with their child. Throughout the morning parents and children will attend separate sessions learning about the Sacrament as well as time together for prayer and reflection.

*For youth enrolled in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program, First Reconciliation & First Eucharist preparation is completed in the Spring as a part of a separate retreat and meditation sessions.

Reception of the Sacraments

First Reconciliation

After preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation throughout the fall semester, families can elect to attend the Advent Reconciliation Service (December), the Lenten Reconciliation Service (March), or a Regular Saturday Reconciliation (3:30pm) at the Parish. Families will determine when they feel their child is ready to receive the Sacrament after preparation has been completed. Reception of the Sacrament must occur prior to the child receiving their First Holy Eucharist.

First Holy Eucharist

The parish celebrates First Holy Eucharist weekend during the Easter Season - usually in late April or early May. Families can select between attending a regular Mass that weekend or an extra Mass that is added specifically for First Communion. If the First Eucharist Mass weekend does not work for a family, they can select another weekend and Mass time to receive the Sacrament.