Our Faith Formation team is excited to partner with you in forming Saints! We provide weekly instruction beginning in the first grade. If not enrolled at All Saints Academy, children should attend these classes in all grades for first through eighth grade. If you homeschool, your child must still go through our program in order to be properly prepared to receive the Sacraments. Because community is important in our Christian faith, we do encourage all children to participate in person so they grow together with their St. Jude peers and are able to take advantage of on site learning activities that occur in the church and on the campus of St. Jude.
Preparations for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion begin in the family. Please attend Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days with your children to establish a firm foundation. Attending Mass (in person) every Sunday and on Holy Days is one of the “precepts of the Church” (minimum requirements to be considered a practicing Catholic).
Besides weekly classroom preparation, students and their parents should attend scheduled meetings and retreats. These events provide additional formation for your child so they are fully prepared to celebrate the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.
We have three parent meetings scheduled throughout the year. These meetings are for the parents of both public school and ASA students.
A special note to ASA parents:
- Sacramental prep is the responsibility of the parish. Often times when a parish also has a school, Sacramental prep is done at that school at the direction of the parish. ASA is a somewhat unique case since it is a conglomeration of four parishes. As a result, while the children are receiving a religious education at the school, Sacramental prep is still done by the parish.
- Registration, paperwork, and record keeping is done by the respective parishes, not the school.
- The children will receive their first Reconciliation and first Holy Communion at their respective parishes, not through the school.
- In order for your child to be properly prepared to receive the Sacraments, parents should attend the St. Jude parent meetings and children should attend any extra classes (there aren’t many) or retreats that the parish provides.
- Though not required, you are welcome to enroll your child in our Sunday evening classes, so they can receive additional formation in the faith, get to know other children from the St. Jude community who are not attending ASA and take advantage of on site learning activities that occur in the church and on the St. Jude campus.
Requirements for the Reception of First Communion & Reconciliation
- Children must attend weekly Faith Formation classes or attend All Saints Academy.
- Children must be at least 7 years old and have reached the age of reason.
- Children must attend Sunday Mass weekly.
- Parental involvement at home, attendance at meetings and scheduled special events are essential and expected.
- Readiness for the reception of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist will be determined by the parents, elementary coordinator and Pastor.
Required Documents
Complete the Sacrament Registration Form.
Baptismal Certificate. If your child was not baptized at St. Jude, parents must provide a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate to Mary Ellen in the parish office. Please contact her with any questions at mboruta@stjudes.net.
Checklists
As the faith formation year progresses, please use these checklists to make sure your child is prepared for their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
Preparing at Home
October
Parents:
Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession – Session 1 “Where Are You?”
Children:
Signs of Grace: You Are Forgiven, Episode 1
Signs of Grace: You Are Forgiven, Episode 2
November
Parents:
Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession – Session 2 “An Encounter With Mercy”
Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession – Session 3 “Embraced in Mercy: The Rite Explained”
Children:
Signs of Grace: You Are Forgiven, Episode 3
Signs of Grace: You Are Forgiven, Episode 4
December
Parents:
Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession – Biblical Foundations
Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession – Answering Common Questions about Confession
Children:
Signs of Grace: You Are Forgiven, Episode 5
Signs of Grace: You Are Forgiven, Episode 6
January
Parents:
Children:
Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession – For Children: How to Make a Great Confession
February
Parents:
Presence for Parents: Preparing Your Child for First Holy Communion
Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist, Episode 1
Children:
Signs of Grace: You Are Loved, Episode 1
Signs of Grace: You Are Loved, Episode 2
Signs of Grace: You Are Loved, Episode 3
March
Parents:
Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist, Episode 2
Children:
Signs of Grace: You Are Loved, Episode 4
Signs of Grace: You Are Loved, Episode 5
Signs of Grace: You Are Loved, Episode 6
April
Parents:
Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist, Episode 3
Watch Again – Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession – For Parents: Preparing Your Child for First Confession
Children:
Signs of Grace: You Are Loved, Episode 7
Presence for Children: The Miracle at Every Mass
Watch Again – Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession – For Children: How to Make a Great Confession