First Reconciliation/First Eucharist

Dear Parents,

Your child(ren) will make their First Reconciliation this Tuesday or Wednesday at 6, 6:30 or 7pm. We cannot have the one large service we normally have so we have staggered the times over two days for individual First Reconciliations with Fr. Luis.

We will have a Zoom meeting this Thursday at 6pm in English and 7pm in Spanish to review and prepare your children to receive this sacrament. We will also have information about First Communion also.

Topic: First Reconciliation/Primera Reconciliación
Time: Feb 18, 2021 6:00 PM English

Feb 18, 2021 7:00 PM Español
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Meeting ID: 864 1410 1572
Passcode: 630152
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Meeting ID: 864 1410 1572
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Queridos padres,

Su(s) hijo(s) hará su Primera Reconciliación este martes o miércoles a las 6, 6:30 o 7pm. No podemos tener un solo servicio como lo hacemos normalmente, por lo que lo hemos dividido en dos días para la Primera Reconciliación individual con el P. Luis.

Tendremos una reunión de Zoom este jueves a las 6 pm en inglés y 7 pm en español para repasar y preparar a sus hijos para recibir este sacramento. También tendremos información sobre la Primera Comunión.

Topic: First Reconciliation/Primera Reconciliación
Time: Feb 18, 2021 6:00 PM English

Sacrament Preparation

Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation are a joint effort on the part of the child, the parents and the catechist. Class-time, parent meetings, parent participation, retreats mass participation and prayer are all necessary ingredients for a meaningful initiation into these sacramental experiences. Faith formation regarding the sacraments has a two-fold task: to aid in the understanding of the sacraments themselves and to foster a conscious realization of the connection between an individual’s life and the sacramental life of the Church (Diocese of Joliet Handbook)

First Reconciliation/First Eucharist

There is a two year preparation period for the reception of sacraments in the Diocese of Joliet as mandated by the Office of the Bishop. Generally children 7 years of age are considered as having reached the age of reason, and thus ready to receive First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. At St. Joseph, two consecutive years of preparation begin in first grade with additional sacramental preparation in second grade. Normally students will receive First Reconciliation in February and First Eucharist the first weekend of May during their second grade year.

Students often show up in our program in the older grades in need of First Reconciliation and first Eucharist. Each case will be considered on an individual basis, but two consecutive years of formal instruction and preparation is required. If a child comes from another program or school , they will still be expected to go through our preparation session, unless the director/principal of their former program provides us with written testimony to the fact that the child has received preparation under their direction and in accordance with the Diocese of Joliet or their home diocese. The child must be baptized in order to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharist. If a child has not yet been baptized or has been baptized in a non-Catholic faith, please contact the Director of Faith formation regarding special preparation.