First Communion

First Communion Registration has closed
– Contact the office for details.

REGISTRATIONS NOW CLOSED

Parents and caregivers of students beginning Grade 2 (and above) in September 2024 are invited to pre-register for participation in our sacramental preparation program for:
First Reconciliation (December 19, 2024)
First Holy Communion (June 21, 2025)

Our Sacramental Preparation program for First Reconciliation and First Communion is designed as a faith journey for kids, and their parents/caregivers to take together. Our process for preparation consists of some sessions done at home (at your comfort) as well as a few workshops at the Church, including a retreat.

Program Overview

  • Register online (click the button below).
  • Submit fee, baptism certificate, and all other required information to the church.
  • Complete the at-home chapters and videos together.
  • Attend Church sessions and the retreat.
Register now

Frequently Asked Questions:

If your child was baptized at our church, we can look up their sacrament record here. If they were baptized at a different church but can’t find the baptism certificate, we recommend calling that church as soon as possible and asking for an updated sacrament record for your child (it can be helpful to the process if you’re able to give your child’s full name, date of birth, and even their baptism date to the church when you request the record). This record can be sent directly to our church, or you can send us a copy when you receive it.

It is wonderful that your child wants to enter into the sacramental life of the Church! We would love to help them make their first sacraments here, but only Catholics may receive the sacraments. We can discuss options for non-Catholic children who would like to be baptized and receive their sacraments; contact the church (705-746-5181) to arrange a meeting with our pastor to discuss options.

This program is meant for children who have been baptized Catholic and are in grades 2-5. For a child in grades 6-8 seeking to make their first Reconciliation/Communion, or to become baptized, we have a separate program that is more appropriate for that age range; contact the church (705-746-5181) for more information if your child falls in that older age range or has not yet been baptized.

Several years ago, the diocese determined through prayer and discussion with the schoolboard that a parish-based sacrament prep program was the way to go. This is primarily because the sacraments stem from the faith relationship found within the community of the Church, not membership in a school. Eventually, students graduate from school; but a parish is a family of faith that someone never graduates from. Their school will not be the place they go back to for healing in a moment of crisis, for sacramental care in a time of sorrow or joy, or for direction and encouragement when they are called to grow and mature in life. Through the Sacraments one declares, “I want to be a member of this community of faith for life”. Through our community, the faithful, including our children, grow and become who God wants them to be!

Normally, sacraments should be received in one’s home parish, usually the closest parish to where you live or the parish where you regularly worship. For a serious reason, however, an exception may be made for a candidate to receive their sacrament in a different parish. If you’re from a parish other than ours, we ask you to obtain a letter of permission from your own pastor and provide it to us before beginning our preparation program.

Children and their families are strongly encouraged to participate in Mass regularly – every weekend.

At baptism, parents promise to raise their children in the practice of the faith. Through Reconciliation and Holy Communion, Catholics are strengthened to take personal responsibility for building good faith habits. It is important that our actions match our inner thoughts, so, candidates looking to receive these Sacraments who also intend to not enter a church again for some time afterwards should question whether this is the appropriate time in their lives to receive these Sacraments. The most consequential way parents can help their children prepare for any sacrament is to participate regularly with them at Mass, to model their own regular participation with the sacraments – and it’s never too late to start!

Our Mass schedule is Saturday at 4pm, and Sunday at 9am or 11am.

While financial concerns will never prevent a child from receiving a Sacrament, we do ask for a $50 stipend to cover the cost of materials.