Sacramental Preparation

At Annunciation Catholic Church the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharsit are received in the second grade. Children in grades sixth thru eighth who have not received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist will be asked to enter a two-year formation program.  The first year they will attend their weekly classes and begin formation for Reconciliation.  In the second year they will continue with their weekly classes and begin formation for First Eucharist.

Families involved in Sacramental Preparation are required to attend several family sessions. At least one parent must attend each session with the child.

The goal of these sessions is conversion. Sacraments are not Rites of Passage or secular milestones. They are the sacred realities of our faith and every effort must be made to bring parents and children (together) into the fullness of our Catholic faith through the journey of the Sacraments.

Sacramental Preparation is meant to be an extension of the ongoing, lifelong Faith Formation that parents promise God and the Church at their child’s Baptism.

In clearer language, it is a betrayal of the promises parents make at the Baptism of their child if that child does not continue in their Faith Formation after reception of any Sacrament.

Sacramental Preparation sessions are held in the church and the Life Center.  Students are assigned to Sacramental Classes. Sixth thru eighth grade students will be directed to their classrooms after an Opening Prayer in the church. Students will have liturgical prayer and sacramental catechesis in their classrooms and parents will experience the same in the church.

There are two Sacramental Preparation sessions for Reconciliation and two for First Eucharist.

In order to fully prepare the children for each Sacrament, parents and children must attend each session.  Missing any session leaves a serious gap in their understanding and therefore undermines the chance for continued conversion.  Should a family miss a session due to illness or a family emergency, please contact the Faith Formation Office.

In our efforts to maintain a Safe Environment, punctuality at our sessions is imperative.

Should you find that your child is heavily invested in some other extracurricular activity on any given year, it is best to wait until a time when their schedule is lighter to enter Sacramental Preparation.

We look forward to journeying with you and your child in the beauty of the Sacraments!