A few families have reached out to me asking me to confirm dates and times for the rehearsal, 1st Reconciliation, & 1st Communion. Also, there have been questions about appropriate dress and final preparation.

We will have a rehearsal for 1st Communion on April 10th at 5:30pm in the church.

1st Reconciliation will be Saturday, April 13th after the 8:30am Mass before attending your Catechesis of the Good Shepherd class. 

1st Communion will be April 14th at the 11am Mass.

I spoke with Mrs. Hinsley today and she let me know that final preparations for 1st Reconciliation will begin this Saturday. I have also included some at-home tips and prayers for preparing your child for this Sacrament below.

The celebration of First Holy Eucharist is a very exciting time for the whole family. Appropriate attire for First Communion is simple and age appropriate. The attire should not distract from the focus of receiving the Sacrament. 

Please use the following guidelines when choosing your child’s attire. 

Shirt: White is the norm. Shirt should be full button dress shirt, long or short sleeves. No polo style shirts please. A black shirt is acceptable if a matching suit and white tie are worn. 

Dress Jackets/Suit are fine but not required. 

Pants: Black, Navy or Khaki dress pants with appropriate belt. 

A tie is not required. If worn, it should be white, navy, or black.

Shoes: Dark colored dress shoes with dark socks. No athletic shoes or boots.

Traditionally, girls wear a white dress, which is a symbol of purity and a reminder of their Baptism. 

Dress: White, Length can be below the knee or to the ankle. Shoulders MUST be covered. No spaghetti straps. If the dress is spaghetti strap or sleeveless a white shawl must be worn.

Shoes and Socks: White, low-heeled dress shoes. No high heels. Open toe shoes are fine. White ankle socks, tights or nude color hose. 

Veil: Shoulder length sheer white with simple headpiece. No large tiaras or bridal headpieces. Crown of flowers or baby breath may be used instead of a veil. 

Gloves are not recommended. They look nice in the pictures, but they cannot receive Communion on the glove and they become a distraction.

On the subject of pictures. Our parish and groups are small. Over the years, I have been unable to secure a photographer. They see no profit in small groups. I typically have a parishioner take pictures. But, Father has given permission for you to take photos yourself during the Mass.

Please feel free to reach out to ask anything I may have missed.

5 Ways to Prepare your Child for 1st Reconciliation (from Catholicmom.com)

It's the time of year when many young children are preparing to soon receive their first Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is a beautiful Sacrament, instituted by Christ as a way to offer us His Mercy and Grace. It is a very special time for our children and as parents, it's our primary responsibility to help prepare them for this soul-redeeming Sacrament. Here are five simple ways you can help your child prepare for their first reconciliation.

1. Talk about the Sacrament of Reconciliation Together
Before your child receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it's important they understand what it is and why we do it. Spend time talking with your child about this great healing Sacrament.

Read together with your child about when Jesus instituted the Sacrament and gave his apostles the authority to forgive sins in His Name in the Gospel of John 20:19-23. The Healing of a Paralytic in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 2:1-12, is also a good example of Jesus's authority to forgive sins and an example of faith and trust in His healing power.

Explain to your children that going to Confession is not about getting into trouble; it's about asking God for forgiveness and receiving God's Grace to do better. Listen to your child's questions and encourage them to learn more by asking more questions.

2. Examination of Conscience
Teach your child how to pray an Examination of Conscience each night before bed, or as often as time allows. Some families do this together as a family before bed, silently reflecting on their days while mom or dad read the Examination out loud.

There are many great examinations around. Try and find one that your child will understand. The USCCB offers an Examination of Conscience for Children 

https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/penance/sacrament-reconciliation-children-examination-conscience

3. Practice
Practice, practice, practice! Like with any sport, musical instrument, or other skill -- continuous practice is essential. The same is true for preparation for all the Sacraments.

As your child's first reconciliation approaches, take time to role play with them what they will do in their real confessions. Except, you can tell them they don't have to really tell you their sins -- unless of course they really want to. Maybe you'll finally find out who really took that item you've been searching everywhere for.

4. Go to Confession as a Family
Aside from practicing how to go to confession with your child, practice actually going to confession as a family. As parents, we are the first educators for our children when it comes to our Faith. However, the best way to really teach our children about the Faith is to practice it by living it out in our every day life. Showing your child that you can take the time to go to confession makes a deeper and longer-lasting impression than all the hours you might spend talking or reading about it with them.

Maybe even make it a family tradition, say on the first Saturday of each month or another day that works for your family. If you cannot make it during the time of regularly scheduled confessions in your parish, try a different parish nearby or ask your pastor if you can schedule a regular family confession time. Add a little fun incentive and go out for ice cream or grab some pizza afterwards and make it a family date night.

5. Pray Together
Aside from all the talking, reading, and practicing, the most essential step in preparing your child - and yourself - for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is prayer. Through prayer, we join in an intimate conversation with God. We ask Him to open our hearts to Him, show Him our weaknesses, and ask for His infinitely merciful forgiveness. Pray with and for your child, asking God to prepare him or her for this great Sacrament.

Together, you can pray the Act of Contrition with your child and also the Prayer to Your Guardian Angel to help them make good choices and be ready to receive God's mercy.