First Reconciliation and First Communion

May you always know the peace of Jesus, the light of his love, and the joy of his life within you.

“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.

“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.
Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” John 6:55-57

HOLY COMMUNION

The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being. It is the culmination both of God’s action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit. Finally, by the Eucharistic celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life, when God will be all in all.In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: “Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1323-1327) 

First Holy Communion is most often celebrated by children around the age of seven or eight, when they have reached the age of reason and are capable of participating in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. First Holy Communion is to be preceded by the sacraments of baptism, reconciliation and confirmation. “Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1457).

2023-24 Sacramental Schedule
2023-24 Sacramental Registration Form

             There is a sacramental parent meeting on Sunday, September 24, 2023 from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the lower level Conference Rooms.

This meeting will go over all important information regarding both First Reconciliation and First Communion. All parents should try to attend.

First Reconciliation 

The sacrament of First Reconciliation is celebrated prior to the reception of First Eucharist. Our current schedule includes studies in preparation for the reception of this sacrament in second grade of our Parish School or Christian Formation Classes. In addition to the classroom studies, all students are expected to attend a Saturday retreat in final preparation for reception of First Reconciliation.

 1st Reconciliation Retreat for the children is Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

1st Reconciliation will take place on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 12:30 p.m., directly following the 1st Reconciliation Retreat. 

Parents and family are welcome to join the children in the church starting at 12:15 p.m. 

Lunch will be provided to children between retreat and service.

First Communion (Eucharist) 

This sacrament is celebrated during the Easter Season. Studies in preparation for this celebration are normally conducted during the second grade of our Parish School and Christian Formation classes. In addition to classroom studies all students are expected to attend a Saturday Retreat in final preparation for the reception of their First Eucharist.

The 1st Communion Retreat for the children is Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

1st Communion will take place at all Masses on:

Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.

Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.

For further information on these programs or to find out how you can become involved

Contact John Knetzger, Director of Child Ministry, jknetzger@stjosephgrafton.org, (262) 375-6500 Ext. 104 or the Christian Formation office,  cfoffice@stjosephgrafton.org, (262 ) 375-6500 Ext. 120

*Financial difficulties are no reason to keep your children from participating in Christian Formation. Contact John Knetzger or the Christian Formation office  to make arrangements. As we say, “ALL ARE WELCOME”.