SACRAMENT PROGRAM: First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

The Sacrament Policies of the Archdiocese of Newark and OLMC:

• Your family should be registered in the parish in which your child receives the sacraments.
• The immediate preparation period of catechesis for sacraments should be parish-based; for the Catholic School Students, the Public School students and any child that is being Home Schooled.
• Your child should also be enrolled in the parish Religious Education Program or the Catholic School, while they are completing the Immediate Sacrament Preparation
• The Preparation for First Reconciliation & First Eucharist is a 2 year process.  The children should complete Grade 1 in the Parish Religious Education Program or the Catholic School, and then be currently enrolled in grade 2, while also completing the immediate preparation for the 2 Sacraments.
• If your child is older than the 2nd grade year and has not received any of the following sacraments (Baptism, First Penance, First Communion) please contact our office at 201-444-0211.  Each year we offer a preparation course that the child/parent will participate in along with their regular religious education classes.

Preparation for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation: 

• The parent will attend the parent meeting for First Reconciliation in October.
• You and your child will attend 2 teaching sessions with the Parish Catechetical Leader. 
• The Celebration of First Reconciliation will take place on 2 different Saturdays in January/February. 
• The schedule will be released at the parent meeting in the fall.  

Preparation for the Sacrament of First First Eucharist:

• The parent will attend the parent meeting for First Eucharist in January
• The parent and child will attend 2 teaching sessions with the Parish Catechetical Leader. 
• Your child will complete the Readiness for the Sacrament Assessment
• The parent and child will attend the First Eucharist Retreat.
• The parent and child will attend the practice for the Sacrament on the designated day.
• The celebration of First Eucharist will take place on Saturdays in April and May.  The schedule will be released at the parent meeting in the fall.