In the Catholic Church, God bestows abundant grace on us through the sacraments and our participation in them. We often refer to the sacraments as visible signs of God’s goodness and grace. They are ‘doors to the sacred’. They certainly are significant moments in your child’s faith journey. In this regard, the schools and parishes work closely together with families. The following is the information on Sacramental Preparation opportunities in each of our communities and the grades where it typically occurs.
Grades
|
Sacrament |
Grades |
|
First Reconciliation |
Gr 2 |
|
Confirmation |
Gr 3 |
|
First Eucharist |
Gr 3 |
First Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Communion
The Church obliges the use of the Sacrament of Penance for those who are conscious of grave sin. It recommends the use of the sacrament to all of the faithful also for the forgiveness of venial sin. Baptized children who have reached the age of discretion have a right to this sacrament. Children learn to celebrate this sacrament as soon as they can benefit from the experience of acknowledging responsibility for their wrong – doing, and from knowing they are forgiven and accepted by God. Before children are Confirmed and receive First Eucharist they have a chance to be prepared with suitable instruction for celebrating the Sacrament of Penance.
When a baby is baptized, they don’t understand the promises they are making, which is why godparents make the baptismal promise for them. Confirmation is when the promise is re-made by the individual because they are at an age of consent.
The Catechism describes Confirmation as a deepening of baptismal gifts. It says that the sacrament roots us more deeply in our identity as God’s children; unites us more firmly with Christ; increases in us the gifts of the Holy Spirit; binds us more closely to the Church; and gives us special strength to bear witness to our faith.
The Holy Eucharist is the greatest of all the sacraments. Baptism of course is the most necessary sacrament. Yet, despite all the wonderful things that Baptism and the other five sacraments accomplish in the soul, they still are but instruments of God for the giving of grace.
But the Holy Eucharist is not merely an instrument for the giving of grace - here is the actual Giver of grace Himself, Jesus Christ our Lord truly and personally present.
Children in our parish celebrate First Reconciliation in grade two and Confirmation and First Eucharist in grade three. Children prepare for First Reconciliation in the spring. In the fall they continue with Confirmation and lastly, First Communion Preparation.
SACRAMENT PREPARATION REGISTRATION @ St. Jean Baptiste Parish
We invite any students who are in Grade 2 or older and their parents to join us in beginning the faith journey in the preparation of the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Eucharist.
Please check out information on our St. Jean Baptiste Parish website (click HERE) for updated information and registration forms.