Mary Lippert, Child and Family Ministry Coordinator

Preparation for celebrating the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist take place separately from our regular Religious Formation Program. Parents may present their children for full participation in the sacraments when they have determined a readiness and a desire to receive these sacraments on the part of the child beginning in 2nd grade. Children must be enrolled in Religious Formation and active in church life for 1 year before enrolling for any Sacrament preparation and expected continual Faith Formation. Click here for complete details.

To enroll a child in our sacramental preparation programs, parents need to complete the Sacrament section on the Religious Formation Registration Form. All mailings for these two sacraments will be sent to parents of current year second graders, as well as those who have already indicated they wish to have their child prepare if he or she is in a higher grade.

Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Penance) has three elements: conversion, confession, and celebration. In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness; as a result, we are called to forgive others.

Begins in the fall and concludes with a Family Reconciliation Service.  Primary materials used for preparation are the Dynamic Catholic's Blessed series and two workshops are intended for the child and a parent/parents.

If your child was not baptized at St. Jude, please mail a copy of their Baptismal Certificate to the Parish Office or bring it to the first workshop.  

Purchase:  1 White Pillar Candle (3" wide  x 4"-6" tall)

Example Supplies:  Tacky Glue, ribbon, felt scraps, foam cut outs, scrapbooking items, glitter paint, acrylic paints, tooth picks, fine paint brush, pencil, scissors, etc.

Instructions:  Make sure to put your child's name on the bottom.  Using the felt or paint decorated your candle using symbols that remind you of forgiveness, love, friendship, healing, etc.  As you create your candle, talk about the meaning of the symbols.

Example Symbols:  Heart - God love us always
                            Cross - Forgiven by Jesus' cross and resurrection
                            Fish -  Early symbol for denoting Christians.

Hobby Lobby and Gift & Bible have great resources, and are Christian owned stores.

CLICK HERE FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION INTERVIEW FORM

The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. As we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.

Workshops begin in February and conclude with First Communion Mass on the 2nd Sunday after Easter. Parent(s) attend two workshops with their child to prepare for celebrating the sacrament.