Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
It is our pleasure to invite you to prepare for the celebration of your son or daughter’s First Reconciliation (Confession) and First Communion at St. Benedict Parish. Please read all of the information on this page.
Children should receive their First Reconciliation prior to receiving their First Communion.
The following dates have been allocated to your schools.
FIRST RECONCILIATION DATES
Elementary School |
Date |
Lumen Christi |
Tuesday February 7, 2023, 6:30 pm |
Our Lady of Fatima |
Wednesday February 8, 2023, 6:30 pm |
St. Benedict |
Thursday February 9, 2023, 6:30 pm |
St. Scholastica |
Wednesday February 15, 2023,6:30 pm |
Guardian Angels |
Thursday February 16, 2023, 6:30 pm |
Children attending virtual school, home-school or public school will be assigned to a school’s First Communion and Reconciliation dates.
Children shall be registered to attend the First Communion and Reconciliation date assigned to their school.
As was said at the parent meetings, exceptions to this will be allowed in cases of illness, death of a loved one, another sacrament i.e., marriage, ordination. Any other reason will have to be reviewed by Fr. Larry (lparent@hamiltondiocese.com). Placement of the child in another celebration under these exceptional circumstances, will only be scheduled approximately one month prior to the celebrations once we know where spots are available.
The dates of this Sacrament and schools are as follows:
FIRST COMMUNION DATES
Elementary School |
Date |
Lumen Christi |
Tuesday May 2, 2023, 6:30 pm |
Our Lady of Fatima |
Wednesday May 3, 2023, 6:30 pm |
St. Benedict |
Thursday May 4, 2023, 6:30 pm |
St. Scholastica |
Tuesday May 9, 2023, 6:30 pm |
Guardian Angels |
Thursday May 11, 2023, 6:30 pm |
ONLINE REGISTRATION
ONLINE FIRST COMMUNION REGISTRATION OPENS ON:
MONDAY OCTOBER 31ST, 2022 AT 12:00 PM
DEADLINE/CUTOFF: Please submit your ONLINE REGISTRATION no later than the cut-off date of April 17TH, 2023.
Registration is online through the St. Benedict Parish website only.
Complete the ONLINE REGISTRATION in its entirety and submit it along with an electronic copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate uploaded into the online registration form in the acceptable electronic format (i.e. .jpg, .pdf).
You can save your progress if you do not have all your information in one sitting. Once completed, then submit the form when all the information is final and complete.
Only students with completed registrations with the supporting documentation receive their First Communion.
Upon submission of your online registration, please SAVE A COPY, screenshot and/or PRINT your confirmation email and have it available on the day of your child’s communion at the church.
CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST REQUIREMENTS
Commitment to Catholic Faith
We hope that your child’s First Communion will be one of the many steps in their journey of faith throughout their life.
As your children depend upon you to provide them with food for their bodies, we depend upon God to feed our bodies and souls. He does this through the Holy Eucharist. If you neglect to prepare meals for your children, they will grow hungry. If you fail to bring them to Sunday Mass, they will miss being fed with Jesus’ body and blood.
It is vitally important that your family attend Holy Mass every Sunday. We look forward to seeing you often!
Weekend Mass Times:
Saturday 5:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am, 10:30 and 12:00 pm
Only properly disposed Catholics may receive Holy Communion at a Catholic mass. Guests who are not Catholics are welcome to request a blessing from the minister by crossing their hands over their heart as they come up at Communion time.
Candidates must be baptized in the Roman Catholic Faith
When sending your proof of baptism, please submit an electronic copy as an attachment in your online registration. (Do not send the original to the parish).
Appropriate dress for Communion
Clothing for Girls: Girls should be dressed in their Sunday best, white is optional. We discourage the use of veils and flowers as they tend to become distraction for the children. Girls are not to wear gloves.
Clothing for Boys: Boys should be dressed in their Sunday best, white is optional. We suggest dress pants, collared shirt or sweater, a jacket and tie are optional.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON FIRST RECONCILIATION DAY
Upon arrival on the First Reconciliation Day, the child with the family may be seated anywhere.
We will begin with a liturgy followed by the celebration of the sacrament of First Reconciliation.
Families closest to the front of the church will proceed to confession first.
At the time of your child’s confession, parent(s)/guardian(s) will bring their child to the priest and introduce them. The parent will wait for their child at the pew until the confession is completed.
After confession, children will do their penance with the family and then they are free to go.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON FIRST COMMUNION DAY
Arrival
On the day of your child’s Communion, please arrive at least 30 minutes early.
The two main church doors will be labeled A-L & M-Z. Please enter through the door according to your last name.
You will be met by a parish volunteer who will bring your child to the parish hall for assembly.
After dropping off your child please proceed to the church to join your guests/family and be seated. Parents will not be permitted to stay in the Parish Hall once your child is dropped off.
All First Communicants will enter the church from the parish hall in two lines and will be seated together occupying the two middle sections of the church starting at the front. All guests and families can sit anywhere in the church except those pews with “RESERVED” signs on it.
During the mass, all First Communicants shall receive their communion from the priest first. Then immediately following, the congregation will receive communion.
Only properly disposed Catholics may receive Holy Communion at a Catholic mass. Guests who are not Catholics are welcome to request a blessing from the minister by crossing their hands over their heart as they come up at Communion time.
Guest/Family Seating
There is no reserved guest seating. All guest seating is on a first come first serve basis so, come early for your choice of seating. At this time, please limit the number of family/guest invitees to a maximum of ten (10) guests.
Mass Etiquette
Please respect the prayerful nature of the Mass. Do not bring food or drink into the church. Turn off or silence cell phones and electronic devices prior to celebration and do not engage in chatter or chewing gum.
Picture Taking
To show respect for the Mass, no pictures or videos are permitted during the Mass. Please remind any guests to ensure proper etiquette. Photos are permitted after Mass is over.
ONLINE REGISTRATION
ONLINE FIRST COMMUNION REGISTRATION OPENS ON:
MONDAY OCTOBER 31ST, 2022 AT 12:00 PM
DEADLINE/CUTOFF: Please submit your ONLINE REGISTRATION no later than the cut-off date of April 17TH, 2023.
2022-2023 First Communion and Reconciliation- Parent Meeting Letter
