The sacraments, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, are efficacious signs of grace perceptible to the senses. Through them divine life is bestowed upon us. (Catechism of the Church, 1113-1131)
Preparation for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is a two year process as required by our Diocese. It may begin when a child enters first grade, or it may be later. For this reason, we do not refer to this as “first grade” but rather, the first year of Sacramental Preparation. The sacraments will be celebrated during the second year of Sacramental preparation, which often, but not always, happens when a child is in second grade.
Children in this year of preparation will attend monthly GIFT sessions and additional monthly sessions with a parent and complete all homework assignments.
First Year Sacramental Preparation Dates:
Sunday, September 30 at 12:45pm or Tuesday, October 2 at 6pm
Sunday, November 4 at 12:45pm or Tuesday, November 6 at 6pm
Sunday, December 2 at 12:45pm or Tuesday, December 4 at 6pm
Sunday, January 13 at 12:45pm or Tuesday, January 15 at 6pm
Sunday, February 10 at 12:45pm
Sunday, March 3 at 12:45pm or Tuesday, March 5 at 6pm
Sunday, April 14 at 12:45pm or Tuesday, April 16 at 6pm
Sunday, May 19 at 12:45pm or Tuesday, May 21 at 6pm
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (Second Year)
Children who have completed at least one year of religious formation may participate in our second year of Sacramental program for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Families must attend the monthly GIFT gatherings and also attend additional sessions for Sacramental preparation, listed below. Each parent/child session is 1 hour long and each retreat is 2 hours.
Preparation for First Reconciliation
Parent meeting: Sunday, September 16 at 7pm
Session 1: Sunday, Sept. 30 at 12:45pm or Monday, Oct. 1 at 6pm
Session 2: Sunday, Oct. 7 at 12:45pm or Monday, Oct. 8 at 6pm
Session 3: Sunday, Oct. 21 at 12:45pm or Monday, Oct. 22 at 6pm
Session 4: Sunday, Oct. 28 at 12:45pm or Monday, Oct. 29 at 6pm
Reconciliation Retreat: Saturday, November 3 at 10am orSaturday, November 10 at 10am
First Reconciliation: Thursday, November 15 at 7pm
Preparation for First Eucharist
Teaching Mass: Thursday, January 17 at 6pm
Session 1: Sunday, February 24 at 12:45pm or Monday, February 25 at 6pm
Session 2: Sunday, March 3 at 12:45pm or Monday, March 4 at 6pm
Session 3: Sunday, March 10 at 12:45pm or Monday, March 11 at 6pm
Session 4: Sunday, March 17 at 12:45pm or Monday, March 18 at 6pm
Eucharist Retreat: Saturday, March 23 at 10am (only for Holy Thursday or Easter celebrants) or Saturday, April 6 at 10am
Youth who are at least in grade 7 and have been participating in a Religious Formation program may begin preparation for Confirmation. In addition to attending GIFT, candidates for Confirmation attend additional preparation sessions.
Information session for parents and youth: Sunday, October 14 at 7pm
Advent Retreat: Saturday, December 1 or 8 from 9am-noon
Many of us have been Catholic since our birth. We were raised in a Catholic home and receive the sacraments of the Church. We have joined a parish wherever we lived, and have tried to live our faith each day.
And then there are others who have been raised in another religious tradition, or no formal religion, who are now seeking faith. Sometimes it is a person who married a Roman Catholic and periodically attends Mass with their spouse or family. Sometimes, it is a person who is looking for meaning in life, and finds him or herself wandering into the doors of the Catholic Church as a seeker.
For many years, St. Charles has offered a process by which someone can ask questions, find out about the Church, and then if they are desiring, can become a Roman Catholic. This process is known as the Rite of Christian Initiation. Over the years, we have tried to create programs of inquiry and formation that suit the needs of those who seek to join the Church.
We have dedicated parishioners who would like to help you with any questions you may have about deciding to become Catholic. If you would like to have a conversation over a cup a coffee with one of the team members, or maybe come to a gathering of prayer and discussion related to becoming a Catholic please contact Darrin Nelson in the parish office. You may reach him at 609-466-0300 x29 or by email at dnelson@borromeo.org.
Perhaps you know someone who has been looking for an opportunity to find out about becoming Catholic. We welcome all who simply want to ask questions. Your call obligates you to nothing. At the very least it is an opportunity to meet a few new faces and ask questions about being a Catholic. Please contact Darrin Nelson at (609) 466 – 0300 x29 or dnelson@borromeo.org
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