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. I appreciate your patience as St. Mary’s reestablishes the catechesis program in this time of Covid restrictions. I hope to assist the parents who completed the program last year to arrange a time for First Communion for your child and encourage any children new to the program.
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 three Parent Information Meetings. Please attend one. They will be Friday, October 8th at 3:30 PM, rectory, Knights of Columbus hall, Sunday October 10th after the 11 AM Mass, and Tuesday October 12th at 5:30 PM 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 $25 for each Sacramental Preparation Program totaling $50 over the year 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. Contact us by email or phone for details about doing virtual classes only.
As Pastor, I am responsible in collaborating with the Bishop in following Canon Law and Diocesan Policies to ensure that all the requirements 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.
The program will consist of 12 classes on Sundays after the 11AM Mass running for 60 minutes. 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. 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. I am looking forward to First Holy Communion Sunday May 15th, but this may change depending on the number of children receiving First Holy Communion and any continuing Covid restrictions. 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