June 17, 2022
Dear Parents:
With your support, the help of the parish and Catholic school community, I look forward to assisting your child to prepare to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Any child in Grade 2-8 is a potential candidate for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion this year.
The parishes of the Diocese of Peterborough are working together to offer a Sacramental Preparation Program that is consistent in form and content. This initiative is designed to assist the home, school and parish in nurturing the faith of your child as you prepare them for receiving the sacraments.
All the Catholic parishes in the Diocese work closely with the school communities. The Catholic schools provide Religious and Family Life Education for your child and the parishes provide the Sacramental Preparation Program for your child. The Sacramental Preparation Program will be offered at the parishes.
There will be two Parent Information Meetings that will last no longer than 60 minutes. Please attend one. They will be:
-Sunday September 18th after the 11 AM Mass, and -Tuesday September 20th at 7PM.
All will be at the parish hall, which is in St. Mary’s School. These meetings will help to explain the Sacramental Preparation Program and how you can continue to support your child’s faith development. Please bring a copy of your child’s baptism certificate.
There is a fee of $50 for the Sacramental Preparation Program textbooks, and to help offset the cost of the materials. Your child will receive two books, Celebrate and Remember Reconciliation and Celebrate and Remember Eucharist. If this expense poses a concern, I strongly encourage you to speak with me so that our assistance can be offered to you.
As Pastor, I am responsible in collaborating with the Bishop, in following Canon Law and Diocesan Policies to ensure that all the equirements are completed in preparation for the celebration of these sacraments for your child. If your child has not been baptized yet, please feel welcome to contact me at your earliest convenience.
Because the preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion is important for your child, I want to encourage you to go over the requirements of this program carefully. My hope is that you take the catechism program into consideration when making decisions for your child’s extracurricular activities (such as hockey, gymnastics, lacrosse, etc) for this school year.
Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Preparation Sessions Preparation sessions will take place after the 11a.m. Sunday Mass for 60 minutes on the following dates. Sessions will be held at St. Mary Elementary school gym, our Parish Hall. Your child must attend at least 8 classes and come to Mass to be considered in good standing. You are encouraged to bring them to all the classes. As you are the first teachers of the Catholic faith, the pastor expects that starting in September you and your child will consistently attend in person Sunday Masses. Your Sunday Mass attendance will be monitored during the year.
Session 1 – Sunday September 25th, 2022 Session 2 – Sunday October 16th, 2022 Session 3 – Sunday November 6th, 2022 Session 4 – Sunday November 20th, 2022 Session 5 – Sunday December 4th, 2022 Session 6 – Sunday January 15th, 2023 Session 7 – Sunday January 22nd, 2023 Session 8 – Sunday February 12th, 2023 Session 9 – Sunday February 26th, 2023 Session 10 – Sunday March 5th, 2023 Session 11 – Sunday March 26th, 2023 Session 12 – Sunday April 2nd, 2023 Please mark these dates on your calendar.
A child can also fulfill the Mass attendance requirements by coming to another vigil Mass or Sunday Mass at St. Mary’s or another Catholic Church, but you must have a record of attendance. At a later time, we hope to hear about the timing for the First Reconciliation, Retreat and First Holy Communion Mass. Thanks for your patience.
I will be praying for you and your child as they prepare to receive the holy sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.
Sincerely in Christ, Fr. Joseph LoJacono, IVE Pastor St. Mary’s