The purpose or “mission” of this family-centered program is to prepare our children to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion and to be open to the mystery and grace each Sacrament provides. By rooting them in a program centered on living the love Christ shows us, we will show them how to live a life reconciled and how to live as Eucharist guiding them to experience the Sacraments with informed hearts.
Since you, as parents, are called to be the primary religious educators of your child, this program is designed to assist you with instilling the values and the meaning of Holy Communion and Reconciliation; to help you put words to the ideals you already know about forgiveness and love.
Our First Sacramental Preparation program is for children in the second grade in Children's Catechesis and St. Mark School and consists of three components: Home Sessions, Classroom Sessions and Community Sessions termed Liturgical Workshops.
Home: Parent Guides, Catholic Parent Know How by Our Sunday Visitor and About Reconciliation and First Communion by Faith Catholic and our online resource FORMED, Signs of Grace will assist you in preparing your child for their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
Classroom: Your child’s First Reconciliation and First Eucharist text is by St. Mary Press and Signs of Grace by Augustine Institute will be used during their classroom sessions.
Community: Our community sessions will use Sacramental Preparation presentations from the program Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
The Sacramental Preparation program will begin with preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The program will conclude with you and your child’s Celebration of their First Holy Communion.
A baptismal certificate is required to be submitted with your registration if your child was NOT baptized at St. Mark. If your child is already 7 years old and has not been baptized, they will be prepared through the RCIA program.
If you have any questions, please contact Chris Risch at 317.787.8246 or crisch@stmarkindy.org