2023 Fall First Reconciliation

WELCOME

HOLY SPIRIT AND ST. JOSEPH

FIRST RECONCILIATION

PREPARATION!

Your textbooks and other materials are available for pick-up in the gathering space of St. Joseph's starting this weekend until Sun. 6pm

October 28-29 and following that in SJC Parish Office M-F 9am - 4pm.

Please do not unsubscribe from this email. This is how we will communicate throughout the sacramental preparation process & parish emails. Thank you!

Reply to this email with any questions or concerns. Feel free to email any of our team - emails below. We are excited to begin this journey with you.

Do you know a family who has not registered but would like to? They can let us know or you can forward this email to them with the link immediately below.

Children should be in 2nd grade and up.

The whole family is involved in the formation for First Sacraments.

Information flyer for those who still need to register.

Weekend of October 28-29

BLESSING AND ENROLLMENT

FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION

All masses at both Holy Spirit and St. Joseph's Church

If you are unable to attend a Mass, please do the ritual at home.

RITUAL: Please look over this ritual in this link ahead of time,

so you know your responses!

(WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT CHURCH, PLEASE LET ONE OF

THE STAFF or HOSPITALITY MINISTERS KNOW YOU ARE THERE!)

IF you haven't already, please sign up:

Choose a Mass: Sign up for Enrollment and Blessing Weekend - Oct 28-29, 2023

FIRST RECONCILIATION ZOOM AND IN-PERSON, Fall 2023

FIRST GATHERING - In Person

Tuesday, November 7

Parents and Children - Meeting at 6pm - St. Joseph's Church Worship Space

Complete listing of 2023 First Reconciliation Preparation Dates

are found on our First Reconciliation Hub Page

STAYING IN TOUCH AND SESSIONS AT HOME:

We will stay in touch with you on a regular basis through email with the subject: 'First Reconciliation'. If you have questions or have a specific need, please be in touch with one of us, anytime.

AT-HOME FIRST RECONCILIATION PREPARATION:

GO AT YOUR OWN PACE! Take a look at everything and feel free to come up with your own plan or you can follow this suggested learning guide.
both in-person and at home sessions are a no computer/cell phone/gaming zone (unless looking up information)
focus on your children/parents and the moment you are sharing
do only as much as you can handle at the moment - you are never behind!
practice being a family who forgives, says you're sorry & says please and thank you
have fun with it!

TO DO LIST:

email family picture to one of the team
send copy of baptismal certificate, if not baptized at HS or SJC
receive permission from your pastor if you are members of a parish other than HS or SJC
carve out family prayer and faith sharing time
plan a special celebration after First Reconciliation
like 'St. Joseph's Church' & 'Church of the Holy Spirit' on Facebook
bookmark our Sister Parish Website:https://holyspirit-saintjoseph.org/

MATERIALS FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION

Books and other materials will be available for pick-up in the gathering space of St. Joseph's on Sat. and Sun starting the weekend of: October 28-29.

PARENTS:

Your text is God's Gift - TOGETHER.

Please refer to this booklet before you do your session with your children before each chapter. There are various prayers and activities that are suggested. Please take the time to do the reading and prayer as you prepare as a family for the celebration of First Reconciliation. As this book states, "Make the most of this Season of Preparation". We often refer to it as a time of 'retreat' for your family.

Be sure to find time to:

Pray together
Nurture 'A School of Forgiveness' in your family life
Work to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation a regular practice throughout life
Nourish your soul daily with spiritual reading - examples in 'Together'

CHILDREN:

Your 1st text is God's Gift - RECONCILIATION.

Please take your time as you read each chapter and work with your family to do the activities and prayer. Beautiful things that you will learn are:

God calls us friends
Jesus saves us
Jesus forgives us
Jesus heals us
The Holy Spirit guides us
'I Live My Faith' - How to prepare for your First Reconciliation Celebration
Learning Special Catholic Prayers
I Know These Words - vocabulary words for each chapter
And Most Important: STICKERS!

Your 2nd text is the smaller book 'My Own Reconciliation Booklet' will teach you the Sacrament of Reconciliation and you can draw and write thoughts & prayers into this book.

TEAM

Most important members: Parents, Grandparents, Family Members

Fr. Jim Schwartz, pastor

[email protected]

Jeanne Mooney, director of faith formation

[email protected]

Nancy Veronesi, director of worship

[email protected]

Susan Gividen, director of music

[email protected]

Bill Crandall, worship team chair

[email protected]

Kathleen Best, administration

[email protected]