Sacrament of First Communion & Reconciliation
First Holy Communion and Reconciliation Preparation 2026-2027
First Holy Communion and Reconciliation are a continued part of your child’s journey of faith. As you look back on your child’s baptism and forward to their confirmation and active participation in the life of the church, we hope to accompany you. We desire to prepare your child to understand and appreciate the depth of love Christ shows them (and us) in the healing sacrament of Reconciliation and in the gift of His very self in the most Holy Eucharist.
We encourage you, as the parents and primary educators of the faith, to be involved in Sunday Mass, Parish life, and in each of the activities and family assignments, and to foster family conversations at home based on your faith. We also hope that you will reflect on your journey as parents and renew your commitment to continue growing in your faith, loving your children well, and guiding them as they grow in their own faith. This renewed commitment involves developing a genuine desire to participate in the Eucharist and the sacramental life of the Church.
Parents with children in Grade 2 or higher who wish them to receive the sacrament of First Communion at St. Christopher's in June 2027 are asked to review and complete all required forms and submit all necessary documents.
This Information is intended to be informative and to assist Candidates and their parents in preparing for these Sacraments.
FIRST RECONCILIATION: Through weekly faith formation gatherings in the parish, children will learn about God's compassionate love, Jesus' warm forgiveness, and His gift of peace to His friends. Reinforcing each week’s lesson at home will allow you to anticipate some questions your child might ask and to share some of your insights about reconciliation and forgiveness. These weeks of preparation can lead to many years of comfortable discussions as your child continues to grow and learn from God, from YOU, and from the Parish faith community. During Mass, parents should help their child recognize the parts of the Mass in which we regularly ask forgiveness and make peace as a regular part of worship.
FIRST COMMUNION: Celebrating this sacrament for the first time, children must have “sufficient knowledge and careful preparation to understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity” (Code of Canon Law 913). Through weekly faith formation gatherings in the parish, children will be encouraged to explore some of the many "gifts" that God has given them, for example, peace, forgiveness, and friendship. The children will be asked to think about what Jesus (through scripture) is teaching us about each gift, and what they can do in their lives to share and use each gift well. We reflect on God's greatest gift - that of JESUS. The children will be encouraged to reflect on what receiving Jesus in Holy Communion means to them and what changes it should bring about in their own lives.
THE ROLE OF PARENTS: Parents are the PRIMARY educators of their children. You teach them not only by what you SAY, but also by what you DO. And not only on special occasions, but also in everyday life. Being actively involved in your child’s preparation for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion tells him/her that you are taking seriously the special event that will be taking place in their lives. By your commitment to that preparation, you are communicating your own faith to your child.
THE ROLE OF THE PARISH: The parish provides the necessary education, formation and support for families to understand and embrace the meaning and significance of the Sacraments and helps to foster a deeper connection to Christ and the faith. This involves weekly classes and practical learning to ensure the Sacraments are a joyful and meaningful experience.
THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL: For Candidates who attend a Catholic School, the role is unique in that, in addition to teaching academic subjects (reading, writing, arithmetic, etc.), it also offers a religious education curriculum. The role of the school is to help your child gain a basic knowledge and understanding of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Celebration of the Eucharist. Naturally, this cannot be done in one year. As children grow up, they continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of the sacraments. The school’s primary role is in the initial instruction and preparation of your child’s journey toward receiving the sacraments.
First Communion Reconciliation
Wed/Thurs - Hall 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
April 7
April 8
April 14
April 15
April 21
April 22
April 28
April 29
Day of Reconciliation:
May 4
May 5
May 6
May 8
May 12
May 13
May 19
May 20
May 26
May 27
June 2
June 3
First Communion:
5pm
June 5
10am and 12pm
June 6
