Dear Parents preparing children for Reconciliation/First Eucharist,

• Using the workbooks, you have completed Chapters 1 and 2, and are now working on Chapters 3 and 4.

• You and your child will have talked about the sign of the cross, about forgiveness, read the Scripture story of Adam and Eve, talked about sacraments, read the Scripture story of the Forgiving Father/Prodigal Son, talked about how you practice reconciliation in your family, talked about how the Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated in the church, shared your experiences and understandings of reconciliation, and learned about saints.

• As you work through Chapters 3 and 4, you will help your child to understand: introducing your child to a bible (Children’s Bible, if possible); talking about the 10 Commandments and their importance, following Jesus in how we think and act, John the Baptist, conscience, and exploring ways that families can repent after arguments and hurts.

Parents: support the CWL Cookie Walk on December 1 and be present with your child for the 3^rd Reconciliation session on December 8.

Session 1          Date:   Saturday, October 13      3:30 - 5:00 pm
Session 2          Date:   Saturday, November 3    3:30 - 5:00 pm
Session 3          Date:   Saturday, December 8    3:30 - 5:00 pm
Session 4          Date:   Saturday, January 12      3:30 - 5:00 pm
Retreat              Date:   Saturday, February 2        9:30 - 11:30 am
Celebration of First Reconciliation:
                               Date:   Saturday, February 2       noon

Sacrament Preparation Program -- First Eucharist:

Session 1          Date:   Saturday, February 23      3:30 - 5:00 pm
Session 2          Date:   Saturday, March 16           3:30 - 5:00 pm
Session 3          Date:   Saturday, April 6                3:30 - 5:00 pm
Session 4          Date:   Saturday, May 4                 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Retreat              Date:   Saturday, June 1                9:30 am
Celebration of First Eucharist:
                               Date:   Sunday, June 23, both masses

Every child and parent are expected to attend every session.

Parents, if for some reason you must miss a session, please contact the parish office as we are very willing to assist you in supporting your child's learning. You are encouraged and welcome to contact the parish office or parish priest. (See Contact Us on this page.)
 

December    Prep – Dec. 12 at 7:00 PM          Baptism Weekend – Dec. 15 & 16
 
January        Prep – Jan. 16 at 7:00 PM          Baptism Weekend – Jan. 19 & 20
 
February      Prep – Feb. 13 at 7:00 PM           Baptism Weekend – 16 & 17

• Infant Baptisms are celebrated on the 3rd weekend of every month.
• Parents must take a Prep Class for each child. 
• Parents must attend the prep class in the month that your child is being baptized.

Please register in the parish office during office hours:

Are you aware?

• Beginning this season, children will be prepared for and receive the sacrament of Reconciliation prior to First Eucharist.

• This may affect grade 3 and 4 students who have already received their First Eucharist, but not Reconciliation; they should be registered for First Reconciliation this fall.

• Grade 1 and 2 students should be registered this fall for First Reconciliation and for First Eucharist in the new year [January].

• This is a new sacrament preparation process, and so, we will all be learning as we go – however, we are very optimistic that our parish will flow into the new system with enthusiasm and confidence!

• We are looking for Catechist volunteers – teachers, retired teachers, parents who love to work with children, older teens – it takes a parish village to raise a child in the faith and we hope to involve many people in our sacrament preparation of our children.

• If you would like information, or if you would like to volunteer (benefits are awesome!!) please contact Doreen Yochim (see Contact Us to the upper left).

Fr. IGNATIUS TRAN, St. Gerard Parish Pastor
 [Mrs.] DOREEN YOCHIM, St. Gerard Parish Pastoral Associate
 

For families who want to have a child prepared for Christian Initiation (Baptism/Confirmation/Eucharist) in our parish the preparation sessions begin in November and continue until Easter.

• Sessions are on Sunday mornings
• Families are expected to participate ‘enthusiastically’ with the preparation sessions and with the home follow-up
• For further information, please contact our RCIC coordinator, Mrs. Sarah Morrison, at 403-281-4832