When your child was baptized, the priest addressed you saying: “You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so, you are accepting the responsibility of training him/her in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him/her up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?”
and you responded: “We do!”
This is why you take such an important, active part in the preparation of your child for First Reconciliation. At St. Philip’s the family model is used in preparing children for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. In this model parents are responsible for preparing their child to receive First Reconciliation and/or First Eucharist. Parents you are the primary teachers of the Catholic faith to your child. The time spent in teaching your child about our faith will touch the heart of your child forever.
Preparation for First Reconciliation is offered once a year regardless of whether your child attends St. Philip’s Faith Formation or St. Philip’s School. Children who are in at least 2nd grade are eligible to prepare for both First Eucharist and First Reconciliation.It is the policy of the Diocese of Crookston that the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation precedes the reception of First Eucharist. Parents may delay the reception of the Sacraments if they feel their child is not ready to receive them.
Adaptive Finding God Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation Sacrament preparation materials are available for parents of children with special learning needs. Here is what you need to do as part of the preparation for the Sacrament:
The child preparing for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation must be enrolled in St. Philip’s Faith Formation or St. Philip’s School. To register for St. Philip’s Faith Formation contact the parish office at 444-4262.
It is the Parish Policy that a parent/guardian attends the Parent Sessions for the particular Sacrament you will be preparing your child for (even if you attended a session or two last year or have gone to a session in the past). This Parent Sessions will give you a general overview of the Church’s teachings on Sacraments, bring you up to date about First Reconciliation and provide you with the materials you need to prepare your child at home. This is a parent only session.
Blessing Weekend is where your child is presented to the faith community at one of the weekend Masses (depending upon which one you signed up for at the Parent Session) as he/she begins his/her journey of preparing for the Sacrament. At this time, your child will receive their book. It is also a time for the faith community to keep you and your child in their prayers as you begin preparation.
During the preparation time for First Reconciliation you and your child are expected to attend a First Reconciliation Faith Finders session, two sessions will be offered. Parents you will have the opportunity to share the faith with your child through Faith Leaning Activities. There will be eight Faith Learning Activities to complete, which can be done in one or two sessions, each activity should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Each Faith Learning Activity is led by you the parent. Directions are provided for you to lead you child through the activity. This is an opportunity for you and your child to do hands-on activities while learning and growing in faith. This will be explained more at the Parent Session.
We hope that this process of preparation for these Sacraments will lead you and your child to a meaningful and joyous celebration of the Sacrament for their first time.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Parish Office at 218-444-4262 or [email protected] Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1422