First Recociliation and Penance and First Communion happen within the 2nd grade year for most people. It's going to be busy, it's going to be a lot of work, but it's going to make a difference in the faith life of your child.  Our ultimate goal is to know, love and serve God and be with Him in Heaven. (CCC 1721) 

Understanding and receiving God's forgiveness and mercy, and growing closer to Jesus by holding Him in their hands and receiving Christ in their hearts...it's amazing that a seven or eight year old can learn this!  Our Church chooses to have these important Sacraments at this age because the children have reached an age of reason. 

Together, we will help your child know these truths through Sacred Scripture and Catholic Tradition.  Holy Family, St. Joseph the Worker, and Loyola 2nd graders will receive faith formation in the classroom and at home.  Learning Centers for both Sacraments will guide parents in their child's understanding and help parents share the Catholic faith with their children. Celebrating the Sacraments with our Parish family will help the 2nd graders feel the love of Christ in a community of believers. "But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not prevent them;  for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." -Matthew 19:14

CCC 1721: God put us in the world to know, to love, and to serve him, and so to come to paradise. Beatitude makes us "partakers of the divine nature" and of eternal life. With beatitude, man enters into the glory of Christ and into the joy of the Trinitarian life.

• The child must be Baptised. Proof of Baptism will be submitted to Parish Office.
• Child will attend weekly Mass with a family member during formation.
• The child must have completed one year of faith formation for First Reconciliation during 1st grade.
• Parent and student must attend First Reconciliation Orientation and First Communion Orientation. These meetings that will explain the home study program and answer questions parents have about the Sacraments.
• Parent and student must attend First Reconciliation Learning Centers and First Communion Learning Centers.
• Students from the public schools and home schools will attend Faith Formation classes on Wednesday nights at Holy Family or St. Joseph the Worker.
• Students from Loyola Catholic School will attend Faith Formation in their daily Religion classes at Loyola.
• In addition to Faith Formation classes, all students will have home study booklets to complete at home with a parent.  These booklets will be handed out at the orientation meetings and turned in to the Faith Formation Director prior to receiving the Sacraments.
• All 2nd graders and a parent will attend the First Communion Retreat and Rehearsol.  This is held on the Saturday morning after Easter Sunday from 9:00-11:30 AM at SJW.
• First Communion will be held the first Sunday after Easter Sunday at Holy Family and St. Joseph the Worker.  More dates were added in recent years due to distancing and space issues.  As dates approach, parents will be informed of any changes. 

CLICK HERE for Video Guides to the Sacraments

Contact Information:
Val Koch
Phone:  507-388-3766
Director of Faith Formation