Preparing your child for the sacraments is a partnership between family and parish. Baptism was the first step in your child’s journey toward full initiation into the Catholic faith. Coming
to the table of the Lord in the Eucharist is the next sacrament of initiation, followed by the sacrament of Confirmation (celebrated in the teen years in our diocese). These are the three sacraments of initiation. In our diocese, as in most, First Reconciliation is celebrated prior to First Eucharist.

As required by the diocese, children are to be regular participants in a faith formation process at least one year prior to formal preparation for this sacrament. The National Directory for Catechesis requires that parents, too, take an active part in the child's formation. Families can enroll their child in the family program for preparing and celebrating the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist (First Communion) as second graders, if they have been involved in the parish faith development process (HI-life) for at least one year.

The preparation process at Holy Infant involves participation in our parish faith formation process, HI-life, attendance at parent and parent/child workshops, and completing required materials at home.

Sacrament Preparation for First Reconciliation / First Eucharist involves:
	•	Participation in parish life, particularly regular attendance at the weekend liturgy
	•	Faith formation at home, aided by the materials provided in the home kit
	•	Participation in monthly HI-life intergenerational gatherings
	•	Participation in parish parent and child sacrament preparation sessions (approximately once a month). For more information, see the current Sacrament Preparation Workshop Schedule and registration form.

First Eucharist is usually scheduled during the spring and is celebrated with the entire parish community at all liturgies on a designated weekend.

We delight in sharing this significant time in your family's ongoing faith development and pray that you will be enriched by your experience. For more information, please contact the Faith Development office.

Those who wish to share in this ministry as a sacrament preparation catechist for the workshops, a refreshment volunteer, or a retreat assistant are asked to contact the Faith Development office.