Sacramental Preparation

St. Joseph Parish School of Religion’s Sacrament Program has been designed with the focus on family participation, study of the sacrament, service, and celebration of the sacrament. The Sacrament Program aids the parents in preparing their child(ren) for receiving First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. If your child(ren) have not yet received the Sacrament of Baptism, or were baptized outside of the Catholic Church, please contact Emily to discuss sacramental preparation.

It is necessary for students preparing for a Sacrament to attend classes regularly, complete all assignments, and participate fully in the process of the program. For students with excessive absences or missing assignments, a conference between the director, teacher, parent, and child as appropriate will be required to assess the readiness of the student to receive the sacrament. Parent involvement is integral to the success of the sacramental preparation programs. There will be two parent meetings per sacramental year in which one parent must attend, while both parents are strongly encouraged to attend.

First Reconciliation and First Communion

Preparation and celebration of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist typically occurs in the second grade. If your child is beyond second grade and has not received the Sacrament of Baptism, Reconciliation, or Eucharist please contact Emily to coordinate an appropriate plan for sacramental preparation.

Important Dates for 2023-2024 School Year:

• First Reconciliation Retreat (Student and at least 1 parent): Tuesday, December 5th at 6pm in the Corpus Christi Center
• First Reconciliation: Tuesday, January 16th at 6:30 pm in Church
• First Communion Retreat (Student and at least 1 parent): Tuesday, March 5th at 6 pm in Church
• First Communion: Saturday, April 27th at 10 am

Confirmation

Confirmation preparation begins in seventh grade and culminates in the celebration of Confirmation in the spring of eighth grade. Students preparing for Confirmation who did not attend seventh grade PSR at St. Joseph will be given the necessary materials to complete at home to ensure full formation prior to Confirmation.  

Important Dates:

• Make-Up Confirmation Parent Meeting: Thursday, September 14 at 7pm in the Corpus Christi Center
• Confirmation Retreat (Student and Sponsor/Parent): Saturday, November 11th from 9 am-2 pm in the Corpus Christi Center
• Luke 18: Weekend of March 1-3rd, 2024
• Confirmation Folders Due: Wednesday, April 3rd (May be turned in early to catechist or at the Parish Offices)
• Confirmation: Sunday, April 14th at 2:30 pm at the Cathedral Basilica