A reminder of God’s love, and Jesus’ sacrifice!
First Reconciliation and Eucharist
It is a most exciting time, as Baptized children journey ahead in their faith to prepare for First Reconciliation in January and First Eucharist in April or May. Children of our parish who have been baptized, are at least 7 years old, and have completed a minimum of one year of faith formation or attend Catholic Day School, are invited to prepare with their families to participate in the source and summit of our faith by receiving Jesus. Diocesan policy instructs that First Reconciliation precede preparation for First Eucharist. Parents are the primary educators and formers of their child’s faith. With this understanding, our faith formation team and entire Church family enter into this time of preparation with you to support you in your desire to raise your children in the faith, knowledge, and tradition of the Church. Preparation for the sacraments is done in addition to attending weekly faith formation or Catholic day school.
Thank you for blessing St. Bernard Faith Community, as your Baptized child continues to prepare for their next Sacrament of Initiation which is First Eucharist. Children of our parish who have been baptized, are in the second grade or older, and have completed a minimum of one year of Faith Formation classes or Catholic Day School, are invited to prepare with their families for the celebration of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Our Diocesan policy asks that First Reconciliation preparation and celebration of the sacrament proceed preparation for First Eucharist.
Parents are the primary educators and formers of their child’s faith. With this understanding, your Faith Formation and entire Church family enter into this time of preparation with you to support you in your desire to raise your children in the faith, knowledge, and tradition of the Church. Preparation for the sacraments are done in addition to attending weekly Faith Formation class.
First Eucharist
Holy Communion is the reception of the Eucharist. At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration are the bread and wine that, by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ’s Body and Blood. Through baptism we are made sharers in the life of Christ; through Holy Communion that spiritual life is nourished and strengthened.
Preparation for First Eucharist begins in January. Attendance at monthly Sunday morning preparation, in which the child and at least one parent or guardian attend is required. Regular Mass participation, learning their prayers and completion of at home material complete the process. All parish families with a seven year old child are invited by mail in the summer prior to participate in this process. For a calendar listing First Communion process dates the upcoming year click below. Please contact Deb Holzem, Coordinator of Faith Formation for further information.
First Reconciliation
Preparation of children for the Sacrament of Reconciliation allows them to see and experience God as love and that, in mercy, God is always ready to forgive, no matter what the wrong. Loving preparation assures young people that God already knows the secrets of our hearts, but sometimes we need to name these secrets aloud in order to prepare our hearts to be renewed by God’s love and forgiveness. God’s will is that all people be reconciled with one another and with God. What an extraordinary gift!
- Children learn that we all live in the community of God’s people and that we have a responsibility to know, love and serve God and one another through care, respect, prayer and service.
- Children begin to explore ideas of human goodness and human brokenness (sin) care for others or selfishness, living closely with God’s dream for all people or disregarding God’s plan.
- Children learn that a priest, acting in person of Jesus through the Church, forgives our sins committed after Baptism and this restores our good relationships with God, other people and ourselves.
- Children experience the gracious presence of God in a community which helps us live together responsibly, to atone for past sins and to avoid temptations in the future.
- Children also learn the formal process of participating in confession (preparing, confessing, doing penance and living as Easter people).
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, each child together with the whole faith community, meets the Risen Christ. Jesus reveals the Father’s mercy and renews our life in the Spirit, inviting us to recall our Baptism and leading us to complete communion with Christ and the Church in the Eucharist.
We begin preparation in October with parents and children attending an orientation session, which is required before beginning the preparation process with their children. The gatherings that follow on Sundays once a month require a parent(s) to attend with their child, including a portion of the retreat. Regular Mass participation and completion of at home materials complete the process. The Sacrament of First Reconciliation is celebrated in January.
Registration and Fees
To register for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, click on the link below. This will take you to the registration form and fee schedule. You will need to print and complete the form and send it to the address listed along with the fees.
Registration for first communion
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist Schedule of Classes
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation is a gift freely given and freely received. We invite young people in the 11th grade to enter into the preparation process to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. We invite you to join us as we journey together towards affirming your gifts of the Holy Spirit and confirming your relationship with Christ and His Holy Catholic Church.