Belong - Believe - Become
The Holy Eucharist is one of the sacraments of Christian initiation. The Eucharist is the heart and summit of the Church's life. It is the memorial of Christ's Passover, that is, of the work of salvation accomplished by the life, death and resurrection of Christ. The essential signs of the Eucharistic sacrament are bread and wine, on which the blessing of the Holy Spirit is invoked. By consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, Christ himself, living and glorious, is present in a true real manner.
Jesus said: " I am the bread that comes down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he live for ever;...he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has life eternal and...abides in me and I in them." (Jn 6:51.54.56)
The Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion will be administered to students in Grade 2 and higher. First Eucharist will take place shortly after Easter in the spring of 2024; First Reconciliation (Confession) must precede First Eucharist.
Registration packages can be found at the back of the church and the parish office in early October of 2023. Online registration is also available on the website under 1st Reconciliation. Only one registration form is required for both the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.
The Online registration Form is found on the Reconciliation page.
27 September 2024
Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are important moments in the spiritual development of your child. Through these sacraments your child will first come to know God’s forgiveness and loving mercy, and then receive the real presence of Jesus Christ through the Eucharist.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s on Thursday December 5th 2024 at 6:30 p.m. after a period of preparation. The Sacrament of First Eucharist (Holy Communion) will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s on Sunday April 27th2025 at 1:30 p.m. after a period of preparation. St. Patrick’s invites young people in Grade 2 and older to register for these sacraments. By completing a registration form, your child will be registered for both sacraments. There is a fee for books and materials of $20 for both the sacrament of 1st Reconciliation in the fall and 1st Eucharist in the spring.
Preparation for Reconciliation begins Thursday October 24th at 6:30 p.m. Parents/Guardians play a key role in this time of preparation and are asked to attend these preparation sessions with their child. Should a parent/guardian be unable to attend any specific session, we ask that another caring adult accompany your child. Each candidate is expected to attend all sessions. We are aware that there may be some conflicts with these dates and hope that you can free up your schedule to accommodate these times. All the dates for both programs are attached.
Each candidate MUST provide a baptismal certificate well in advance of the celebration of the Sacrament. If your child was baptized at St. Patrick’s, their baptismal record will already be on file at the parish. If your child was baptized at another church (Catholic or otherwise), please make a copy of his or her certificate and include it with the registration form. Please submit registration forms by Friday October 18th 2024.
We look forward to the opportunity to journey with you and your child in this time of preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist.
In Christ,
Fr. Pat Woods
Pastor
Sacramental Program Dates
Registration Deadline: Friday October 18th 2024
First Reconciliation Dates:
Introduction Night/Session #1: Thursday October24th 2024 – 6:30 p.m.
Enrollment Sunday: Saturday November 2nd, 2024 – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday November 3rd, 2024 – 10:00 a.m.
Session #2: Thursday November 7th 2024 – 6:30 p.m.
Session #3: Thursday November 21st 2024 – 6:30 p.m.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Thursday December 5th 2024 – 6:30 p.m.
First Eucharist Dates:
Introduction Night/Session #1: Thursday March 13th 2025 – 6:30 p.m.
Enrollment Sunday: Saturday March 15th 2025 – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday March 16th 2025 – 10:00 a.m.
Session #2: Thursday March 27th 2025 – 6:30 p.m.
Session #3: Thursday April 10th 2025 – 6:30 p.m. Session#4: Thursday April 24th 2025 - 6:30 p.m.
Sacrament of 1st Eucharist: Sunday April 27th 2025 – 1:30 p.m.