First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion

Page Last Updated 12/7/2022

First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion are normally held during a child's second grade year. Parents are always the primary catechists, or religious education teachers, for their children.  Holy Family's preparation sessions exist to help parents prepare their children for the sacraments.  By going to Mass every Sunday and on the Holy Days of Obligation, the parents teach their children the importance of worshiping God and of receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.

First Reconciliation is vital before the reception of First Communion.  In addition to the child going to individual confession, the parents are also encouraged to go to individual confession at that time, to model that behavior for their children.  If the parent cannot confess at that time for some reason, they are still encouraged to go to the priest to ask for a prayer or a blessing during the First Reconciliation Service. First Holy Communion is held on the last Sunday of April at the 10:30 a.m. Mass, unless that day happens to be Easter.  When Easter is on the last Sunday in April, then First Communion is moved to the following Sunday.

 

"[E]ven when it is celebrated on the humble altar of a country church, the Eucharist is always in some way celebrated on the altar of the world.  It unites heaven and earth.  It embraces and permeates all creation."

- Pope Saint John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia

 

1st Holy Communion: 2023 1st Communion is Sunday, April 30 at 10:30 am Mass

Children are eligible to receive their first Holy Communion when they are baptized and at the age of reason.  In this diocese, we typically reserve First Communion to second grade students with some exceptions. The children must have received instruction on the sacraments of communion and reconciliation and received their first reconciliation prior to their first communion.  If your family cannot attend our first reconciliation service in December, please contact the Parish Office to make an appointment with Father John, or attend a first reconciliation service at another parish.

Parents are required

  • To fill out the registration form available below and submit it the Parish Office or to the director by the due date: Monday, January 16, 2023.
  • To attend the First Communion Mass and First Communion Rehearsal.
  • To attend the First Reconciliation and First Reconciliation preparation, or make an appointment for First Reconciliation with Father John or another parish.
  • To observe the proper attire for students. The dress code is available in the documents below.

If you have questions or concerns about any of this, please feel free to contact Joseph H Munning IV at jmunning@evdio.org or 812-482-3076 ex 304. He will be happy to work with you to address your family's needs in preparation for the sacraments.

Documents:

 

First Communion 2017

 

 

 

First Communion