Children's Faith Formation and First Reconciliation and Holy Communion
Contact Laura Stapleton - Coordinator of Elementary Christian Formation
Elementary Faith Formation – 2022-2023
(Elementary Faith Formation is for all children, grades Kindergarten through 5th Grade)
Our Elementary Faith Formation program in-person class offerings for the 2022-2023 year are:
Session 1: Sundays from 12:30 pm-1:30 pm
Session 2: Wednesdays from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
In addition, there is a Home Study option available. Materials, parent guides, and supplemental online resources are provided. Feel free to explore the Pflaum Resources for Families. The second installment (Nov.13-Jan 9) are READY and WAITING for pick up. There are near the parish office inside the St. Joseph's entrance.
Elementary Faith Formation 2022-23 Calendar
Our Faith Formation Fee is $30 per child.
- This fee covers the cost of the catechetical materials and resources used throughout the year.
- Payment can be made by credit card at the time of registration or by cash or check on the first day of classes.
- Please note that these fees can be waived if needed - contact Coordinator of Christian Formation No child will be denied participation due to financial concerns.
Online registration has closed. For questions, contact Laura Stapleton- [email protected].
Sacrament Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is open to all St. Mary's Parish children who are in the 2nd grade or above. As primary witnesses of the faith to their children, parents participate actively in the preparation of their children for the sacraments. Our preparation program incorporates "at-church" gatherings for parents and children as well as "at-home" work for parents and children to do together.
The preparation process at St. Mary’s will guide parents in helping their child(ren) understand both what we believe as Catholics and how to live out those beliefs. The focus of the preparation is not only for the child’s first celebration of these Sacraments but, more importantly, for a lifetime of regular participation in the Sacrament of God’s love and mercy and a lifetime of being nourished at the Table of the Lord. Sacrament preparation is not only about cognitive learning; it is also a period of spiritual preparation. All members of the family are privileged to journey with these children as they prepare to celebrate these Sacraments.
A typical year of sacrament preparation includes the following:
- A parent orientation session
- no RSVP neede
- about one hour
- children are not expected to attend
- 2 Parent/Child workshops focused on preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (about two hours)
- At-Home Reconciliation textbook to be completed.
- Celebration of First Reconciliation - late January/early February.
- 3 Parent/Child workshops focused on preparation for the Sacrament of Holy Communion (about two hours)
- At-Home Eucharist textbook to be completed.
- Celebration of First Holy Communion - first weekend in May
2022-2023 PREPARATION CALENDAR*
*There will be an orientation in December. (no rsvp needed)
Option #1: Monday, December 5 (7pm, Bishop Sullivan Room)
Option #2 Sunday, December 11 (12:30, Day Chapel)
First Reconciliation Preparation Schedule:
Workshop #1 - January 7, 2023 (10:00 am or 1:00 pm)
Workshop #2 - January 21, 2023 (10:00 am or 1:00 pm)
Celebration of First Reconciliation - February 10, 2023 (5:30 pm or 7:00 pm)
First Holy Communion Preparation Schedule
Workshop #1 - February 25, 2023 (10:00 am or 1:00 pm)
Workshop #2 - March 11, 2023 (10:00 am or 1:00 pm)
Workshop #3 - March 25, 2023 (10:00 am or 1:00 pm)
Celebration of First Holy Communion - May 6, 2023 (11:00 am and 5:30 pm), May 7, 2022 (9:00 am and 11:00 am)
*You will be asked to RSVP for the workshop your family wants to attend, when these dates get closer, to help us anticipate the number of participants.
*Dates are subject to change.
The Diocese of Richmond has set the following requirements:
- All baptized children must prepare for First Reconciliation before preparation for First Holy Communion.
- All children in the Sacrament Preparation program must also be enrolled in and attending Faith Formation classes/homestudy or attending a Catholic School
- The sacrament preparation program is separate and distinct from Faith Formation classes and Catholic Schools. Although children learn about the sacraments during the course of their education in these places, the immediate preparation takes place within the parish community where the family attends Mass.
- In addition, families should be registered members of St. Mary's Parish. (Contact Laura Stapleton to help faciliate this procress.)
Sacrament Preparation Materials Fee: $50
- This fee covers the cost of the textbooks and resources used throughout the year.
- Payment can be made by credit card at the time of registration or by cash or check on the first day of classes.
- Please note that these fees can be waived if needed - contact the Coordinator of Christian Formation No child will be denied participation due to financial concerns.
Online registration has closed. For questions, please contact Laura Stapleton.
Other Children's Ministries:
Click on the program name to visit each page and learn more.
Elementary Faith Formation & First Reconciliation/Holy Communion
Adult Volunteer Opportunities (it takes many people to help run these programs)
Sunday Nursery (page coming soon)
Children's Liturgy of the Word