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Various Ministries and Their Coordinators: Children's Sacramental Initiation |
The sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion (Eucharist) and Confirmation all require that a period of preparation and discernment be undertaken by the child with his or her parents. The parents are the primary catechists of their children while the schools and the parish each add to the preparation process. The classes at St. Francis Xavier are usually held after the 11:00 am Mass on Sundays in the Welcoming Area. First Reconciliation and First Communion First Reconciliation preparation and celebration takes place during the Fall. The standard practice is that a child should be prepared for the sacrament of Reconciliation before First Communion ( usually made in grade 3), although it is not absolutely necessary that he or she celebrates their first Reconciliation before their First Communion. The parents make the decision. For example, a year 2 student who does not prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation in the Fall of 1999 (by attending classes after the 11:00 am mass) cannot make their First Communion in the Spring of 2000. The child would have to wait for the Spring of 2001. Again, it is only necessary that the grade 2 student prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation. To help discern the readiness of a child for First Reconciliation, we should not think primarily of the question, "how old do you have to be to commit a sin?", but rather "has my child ever experienced forgiveness?" It is God's forgiveness, and not our sin, that we celebrate in the sacrament of Reconciliation! Confirmation The sacrament of Confirmation completes a young person's initiation into the Church, the Body of Christ. Young people are usually confirmed in grade 6. The preparation process commences in the Fall and is completed in the Spring. |