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. Parents are the primary teachers of the faith for their children; therefore, we supply materials and curriculum to support the family in walking with their child to receive these two beautiful Sacraments. Additionally, parents go through an online "parent's course" for each Sacrament that further assist them in leading and teaching the faith, and these Sacraments, to their child(ren).
St. Joseph Community utilizes a brand-new curriculum from Ascension Press called "Renewed"
(First Reconciliation) and "Received" (First Eucharist) in an at-home lesson format. Parents and children work through each lesson together at a time that works best in their schedule. Each Sacrament has 12 lessons. The lessons are a mix of workbook pages and activities as well as online videos.
In addition to the at-home lessons, there are 2 morning retreats to attend (one for each Sacrament) that the youth and parent complete together. The First Reconciliation retreat is typically scheduled for late fall and the First Eucharist retreat is typically scheduled during Lent.
*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 set of 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, the Lenten Reconciliation Service, 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.
Click here to register for the 2023-2024 school year to begin preparing for the Sacraments.
Child or Adult with Special Needs?
Do you have a loved one with special needs looking to receive the Sacraments, but a traditional preparation program would not be ideal? Please connect with us to discuss options. Every person is unique and we want to work with you to help prepare them for the reception of the Sacraments. Contact FaithFormation@stjosephcommunity.org or 651-313-8464 to begin the discussion.
Child Not Baptized?
Do you have a child in 2nd grade (or older) and is not yet Baptized? No worries, youth who are seeking to receive First Sacraments who are not yet Baptized are welcomed into our program called "Right of Christian Initiation for Children" (RCIC). Please contact the Parish Office at 651-423-4402 or Sacraments@StJosephCommunity.org for more information.
Adult not Baptized, Confirmed, or received First Sacraments?
Are you an adult looking to prepare for one of these Sacraments? We welcome you with open arms and would be honored to be a part of your Sacramental journey. Please contact the Parish Office at 651-423-4402 or Sacraments@StJosephCommunity.org for more information about our "Right of Christian Initiation for Adults" (RCIA) program.