Registration for Sacrament Preparation occurs at our mandatory Sacrament Family Meeting. Multiple dates and times are offered in 2024:

• • • Tuesday, 7/16 | 6:00-7:00pm
    • Thursday, 7/25 | 10:00-11:00am
    • Thursday, 8/8 | 7:00-8:00pm
    • Sunday, 8/11 | 9:45-10:45am
    • Tuesday, 8/13 | 11:00am-12:00pm
    • Wednesday, 8/21 | 6:00-7:00pm

Families must attend meetings at the beginning of both Year 1 and Year 2.  At these meetings, we cover topics that include program requirements, Sacrament retreats, and Sacrament liturgies. Families are given paper registration forms with instructions for how to register for Sacrament Preparation. In addition to the Sacrament Preparation Registration Form, all children in Sacrament Preparation must register for catechesis in one of three ways:

• • • Sancti Simus (parish class or online)
    • At-Home Catechesis
    • Catholic School Attendance (Year 1 only)

When registering for Year 1 or transitioning to St. Luke for Year 2, please submit a copy of each youth’s Baptismal Certificate to the Director of Faith Formation. Certificates may be submitted in one of two ways:

• • • Physical copies brought to the Parish Office, or
    • Black and white PDF copies emailed to the Director of Faith Formation.

Please be sure in these years of preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion that your family is remaining close to the sacraments, especially through regular (weekly) participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This is our highest form of worshipping the one, true God, who is all good and deserving of all our love, and your child(ren) are preparing to complete their initiation into this sacred mystery. Please witness to your child(ren) and actively participate in all parts of the Mass. Your example will stick with your child(ren) for the rest of their lives.

Holy Days of Obligation for 2024-2025 are:

• • • Thursday, August 15th, 2024 – the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
    • Friday, November 1st, 2024 – All Saints
    • Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 – the Nativity of the Lord
    • Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 – Mary, the Holy Mother of God
    • Friday, August 15th, 2025 – the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

We are currently using the honor system for tracking Mass attendance. Since these Sacraments are a priority to your child, then we trust you will make Mass and a relationship with the Lord a priority. If we see, however, that Mass attendance is irregular, we will institute a weekly Mass reflection for your child(ren) to complete.

These retreats are only for parents and youth in Year 2 of preparation:

• • • First Reconciliation Retreat – Saturday, October 26th, 2024 from 10am-12pm

    • First Holy Communion Retreat – Saturday, April 12th, 2025 from 10am-12pm

These liturgies are for families and youth in Year 2 of preparation: 
(youth in Year 1 are welcome to attend to witness what they are preparing for)

• • • First Reconciliation Liturgy – Saturday, December 14th, 2024 at 10am

    • First Holy Communion Mass – Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 at 9:30am

Extenuating circumstances may be taken into consideration. Please speak with our Director of Faith Formation as needed.

Better catechesis of our youth includes a better understanding of all aspects of the Catholic Church. Youth will choose from a (far from comprehensive) list of special Masses to attend, specific devotions or prayers, Scripture challenges, stories of Saints, etc. – all to facilitate a deeper understanding and/or encounter with our God, the Trinity.

Youth will need to choose 10 different challenges/activities throughout the year and will need to submit a reflection for each. Reflections may be submitted using the online form or by turning in paper copies to their catechists. The list, online form, and printable copy are available in the resources at the bottom of this page. Devotion journal entries are due Sunday, April 14th, 2024.

Youth may not submit multiple reflections for the same challenge/activity – i.e. If a youth attends Adoration every Friday, they are encouraged to continue attending Adoration every Friday! For their First Holy Communion requirement, however, they may only use Adoration as 1 of their 10 devotional challenges/activities.

Youth may submit reflections for devotional challenges/activities that are not on the list provided. Whether the devotional counts toward their 10 is at the discretion of our First Holy Communion catechists. If the devotional is approved, it will be added to the list for future years. If it is not approved, youth will be notified in class and via email.

The Advent Activity and Service Activity are not included in the count of classes. We understand that things come up, so please plan accordingly. Youth who have 3 or more absences will be contacted individually.