First Reconciliation
Reconciliation is the sacrament that celebrates the forgiving love of God. In the sacrament of Reconciliation we acknowledge and confess our sins and are reconciled to both God and one another. Preparation for First Reconciliation typically takes place during the fall for children in the second grade and older.
The preparation process includes both activities at church and a program of home study. As the bishops of the Second Vatican Council proclaimed, parents are "the first to pass on the faith to their children and to educate them in it," and they should receive "training, at once many sided and complete" if they are to be "fully effective." To support this, we provide a series of parent education sessions as well as large group parent and child learning experiences.
The preparation process starts with a series of parent only classes. Families work at home (either individually or as clusters of families) throughout October , November and early December. At the same time, parents & children gather once a month at the parish for group learning experiences. In mid-December, children participate in individual interviews to demonstrate their readiness for the sacrament, followed by the Celebrations of First Reconciliation on December 18, 2011 at the Parish Advent Reconciliation service.
Expectations of Parents & Children:
- All children and their families must be registered members of Saint Thomas More Catholic Community.
- All children must complete 8 lessons at home.
- All families must attend all of the following activities:
- Three Parent & Child Sessions
- Two Parent Only Sessions
- One Interview
- Public school students must also attend the annual "Safe Environment" lesson scheduled for April 1, 2012.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 12, 2011. Registrations received after this date are subject to approval by the coordinator and an additional late fee.
