Lifelong Faith Formation

Sacrament Preparation for
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

The 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. Reinforcing 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

Celebrating this sacrament 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 children 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 dress 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 Faith Formation office at 812-282-1231.

Children's Faith Formation

Printable copy of the 2010-2011 CFF Preparation Schedule