First Communion

Lifelong Faith Formation

Sacrament Preparation
First Holy Communion & First Reconciliation

Welcome to this most wonderful year! Celebrating a sacrament for the first time is an important step in the life of a child as a Catholic Christian. In recognizing parents as the primary religious educators of their children, the Catholic Community of Jeffersonville's sacramental preparation relies on the cooperation of family for preparing the children for First Reconciliation and First Communion. Parents also have the responsibility to see that their child attends Mass each Sunday.

Sacrament Retreats

The retreats are an opportunity for the children celebrating First Reconciliation and First Communion to explore the sacrament and its meaning with a parent or other adult they care about. It also provides parents an opportunity to share the experience with their child.

First Reconciliation

reconciliationThe children will be learning about God's compassionate love, Jesus' warm forgiveness, and his gift of peace to his friends during the preparation for First Reconciliation. Preparing each week’s lesson at home, will give the parent an opportunity to anticipate some questions their child might ask, and to share some of their insights about reconciliation and forgiveness. These weeks of preparation can lead to many years of comfortable discussions as their child continues to grow and learn from God, from their parents, 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.

For the Sacrament of Reconciliation, children need to learn the Ten Commandments and the Act of Contrition.

First Holy Communion

hostTo share in Communion for the first time children must have “sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so as to understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity” (Code of Canon Law 913). The children are encouraged to explore some of the many "gifts" that God has given them, for example peace, forgiveness, friendship, and creation. The children are 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 are encouraged to think about what receiving Jesus in Holy Communion means for them and what changes it should make in their own lives.

During our preparation, the children will be learning the proper procedure for receiving Communion. Parents should review this procedure with their child periodically to insure they understand. The chldren should also know the Our Father, Hail Mary, and how to make the sign of the cross correctly. First Communion Parent Prayer

Dress for First Communion: The girls are to wear white dresses, First Communion veil, white socks, and white or black shoes. The boys will wear good trousers and a white shirt with a tie, or a suit if you prefer.

If you are interested in enrolling your child in the preparation classes for First Communion and First Reconciliation, please contact the St. Augustine Faith Formation office at 812-282-1231.

 

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Preparation Schedules for 2007-2008
 

First Reconciliation Preparation Schedule

Classes meet Sundays at 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
August      12 - Faith Formation Kick Off & Registration
August      19 - CFF Class Meeting: Parent Meeting
August      26 - CFF Class Meeting: St. Augustine Feast Day
September 16 - CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 1 - We Belong
September 23 - CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 2 - We Celebrate God’s Love
September 30 - CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 3 - We Hear Good News
October      7 - CFF Class -Living Rosary in Church
October     14 Reconciliation Rite of Commitment 8:30 St. Augustine
- CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 4 - We Look at Our Lives
October     21 - No CFF Class Meeting: Fall Break
October     28 - CFF Class Meeting: All Saints Day Celebration
November    5 - CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 5 - We Ask Forgiveness
November   11 - CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 6 - We Go Forth in Pardon and Peace
November   18 - CFF Class ... First Reconciliation Retreat for Sacred Heart
November   25 - No CFF Class Meeting: Thanksgiving Weekend
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - First Reconciliation for Sacred Heart
December    2 - CFF Class ... First Reconciliation Retreat for St. Augustine
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - First Reconciliation for St. Augustine
December    9 - 8:30 a.m. Children's Mass; 9:30 a.m. CFF Class
December   16 - CFF Class

 

 

First Communion Preparation Schedule

Classes meet Sundays at 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
January    6 - CFF Class Meeting - Epiphany
January  13 - First Communion Rite of Commitment 8:30 St. Augustine
- CFF Class Meeting: Parent Meeting
 
January  20 - CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 1 - Belonging
January  27 - CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 2 - Invited to the Table
February  3 - CFF Class Meeting: Mardi Gras Celebration
February 10 - CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 3 - Gathering To Celebrate
February 17 - CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 4 - Feasting on God’s Word
February 24 - CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 5 - Offering Our Gifts
March      2 - CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 6 - Remembering and Giving Thanks
March      9 - CFF Class Meeting: Stations of the Cross
March    16 - CFF Class Meeting: Palm Sunday – Blessing of the Palms
March    23 & 30 - Easter Sunday & Spring Break
April       6 - CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 7 - Sharing the Bread of Life
April      13 - CFF Class Meeting: Chapter 8 - Going Forth to Love and Serve
April      20 - First Communion Retreat:
    8:30-11:00 at Sacred Heart; 12:00 noon–2:30 p.m. at St. Augustine
 
April 24, Thursday - 6:00-8:00 p.m. Dress Rehearsal at Sacred Heart
April 25,

Friday - 6:00-8:00 p.m. Dress Rehearsal at St. Augustine
Saturday,  April 26, 2008 - First Holy Communion, 4:00 Mass at St. Augustine
Sunday,     April 27, 2008 - First Holy Communion, 11:00 Mass at Sacred Heart

May         4 - 9:30 a.m. Marian Celebration; 10:00 a.m. PANCAKE BREAKFAST

 

 
Schedules were last updated 08/02/07