Welcome to St. Maurice Parish's sacramental preparation program!
This year is one of preparation for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion.
We prepare together to come before the mercy of the Lord in First Reconciliation, and to receive God truly present in the Holy Eucharist at the Mass.
Registration 2023-2024
Online registration for the 2023-2024 school year will begin August 26, 2023. On that date, we will have an active link on this page to bring you to our online registration form.
Who is this program for?
Our program is for grade 2 students of St. Gregory School as well as the grade 2 children of any family who attend St. Maurice Parish. If your child is not a student of St. Gregory's School, and you do not yet belong to a Catholic parish, please make sure to contact the parish office at office@stmauriceparish.com to register as a parishioner at St. Maurice before starting the program. This program is specifically for grade 2 students. If you have any children older than grade 2 who need to receive the sacraments, or if you are interested in receiving them as an adult, please fill out the separate “Sacrament Interest Form” as we will be running separate programs for older students and for adults.
Part of a lifelong journey of faith
Registering your child to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is not just a registration for a class or one time event, but a special part of their lifelong journey in the Catholic faith. Receiving First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are meant to be celebrations within the broader context of daily prayer, weekly mass attendance, yearly reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation and a continued commitment to growing in and practicing the faith. Jesus desires us to drawn near to Him every day and every week, not just on the day we receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist for the first time. We invite all families to take the opportunity to find a weekly mass time that works for you and your family as you commit to this journey of faith together. Jesus looks forward to meeting you there!
Time Commitment
1 hour monthly classes with required weekly "Home Connection" activities (short readings and videos to watch together) to complete with your child in-between sessions. Please set aside approximately 30-40 minutes of your time each week for the required "Home Connection" activities with your child. The Home Connection component is in addition to the monthly classes.
Time and Location
We will have monthly classes on Wednesday evenings. Classes will run October 2023-May 2024. We are currently planning for half of our classes to be in person and half of them to be virtual. This is subject to change. In-person classes will take place at St Maurice parish. The sacraments themselves will be received in-person.
Policies and Expectations
- At St. Maurice, one parent/legal guardian attends class at the same time as the child, for both in-person and virtual classes. This helps to strengthen you in your understanding of the faith, help lead your child in the class content, and grow as a family of faith. In the case of Virtual Classes, class attendance will be counted upon submission of digital assignments by the required due date. One absence per semestre is permitted (ie: one class between Oct-Jan and one class between Feb-May), but more than that will require a possible meeting with the Pastor, make up work and possible delay in reception of the sacraments. Routine make-up lessons are not available. Failure to attend these classes as a family or to submit digital assignments for Virtual Classes, may result in a delay of the reception of the sacraments.
- Parents are required to work with their children to complete all "Home Connection"activities with their child in between the monthly class sessions. This is one of the key componants to our program. The required "Home Connection" component consists of weekly video and reading assignments to be done at home with your children. This will require approximately 30-40 minutes of your time each week. Completion of these at home activities are a requirement of the program and are crucial to your child's formation and preparation. The Home Connection component is in addition to the monthly classes.
- A computer or smart-phone/tablet, as well as an internet connection will be required.
Cost
This year, the cost for registering one child is $50. Fees cover workbooks, instruction and other materials. Families will be able to apply for tuition assitance if needed during the registration process. A link for online payment will be provided to all registered familes by the end of September.
Contact for First Reconciliation and First Communion
For information on the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion, please contact Ellen Hong, Coordinator of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, via email: ehong@stmauriceparish.com