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.
This year, First Holy Communion masses and retreats will continue be on Saturdays. We’ve made some updates to the format: Communion dates and retreats will not be scheduled according to your child’s school. Your child’s First Holy Communion date will be your choice based on the four dates and times provided by the parish. Your child will attend retreat with their parent(s) or legal guardians based on the correlated date.
All the First Holy Communion masses will be here at St. Benedict parish.
There is a limit of 80 communicant registrants per session so you are encouraged to register early to secure your preferred date and time. Once a session is full, no other participants can be added.
Since the First Holy Communion Masses will not be based on the school the communicant attends, the communicants will sit with their own family. We ask families to bring no more than 8 guests or family members to the church.
8 family members per child plus parish staff and volunteers puts the celebration close to 1000 attendee which caps off the capacity for the parish.
It is required that your child be baptized Roman Catholic. Your decision to receive First Holy Communion is a testament to yours and their commitment to continue receiving the sacraments of initiation and becoming in full communion with the church.
REGISTRATION : Click for more information
Please be prepared at the time of communion registration to upload a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate before you begin the registration process.
All baptismal certificates are checked for validity and tampering. If there are any discrepancies or exceptions, you will be contacted by our parish office and your registration will be TENTATIVE until the matter is resolved.
For catholic parents whose child is not baptized yet but is under the age of 8, Canon Law allows that we can still baptize your child as an infant. If you would like your child baptized in time to receive their first reconciliation and first holy communion, YOU MUST REGISTER FOR INFANT BAPTISM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Please contact the parish office to book your child’s baptism.
SPECIAL NEEDS (Click for more information)
If your child has special needs or requires special accommodation, please arrange to bring whatever or whomever you need to support your child during the mass. Attending First Communion mass with your child is no different than attending any Sunday mass. We can provide gluten free host if we are notified ahead of mass, we also have family sized washrooms at either side of the narthex with change tables or enough room to accommodate a wheel chair and support person, other than that. If you have any questions about special accommodations, please contact the parish office or book and appointment to discuss your situation.
RETREATS (Click for more information)
Communion retreat format will be different this year. Communicants will attend on the date associated with the communion date. They must arrive and stay with at least one parent or guardians for the ENTIRE RETREAT. When the parent or parents or guardian leaves, they must take the child with them.
Also parent or guardian attending the retreat must be the same parent or guardian attending First Holy Communion Mass with them since we will be going through catechesis as well as practicing with the pastors and myself.
The session you select for First Holy Communion is automatically associated with a retreat date. Your child and parent/guardian will be expected to attend both specified dates without exception. They will be rehearsing with the same cohort as the group they registered for mass with.
Light refreshments will be offered in the morning upon arriving at the retreat. If you have food allergies, please pack your own morning snack as the parish is very limited in its culinary capacity.
OVERVIEW OF COMMUNION RETREAT ITINERARY
8:30 am – Arrival and Refreshments (Parish Hall)
9:00 am – Introductions and Catechesis
10:30 am – Quick break
10:45 am – Orientation and Mediation (Gather in Church)
11:00 am – Eucharist Practice
12:00 pm – Depart
2026 First Holy Communion and Retreats
| Communion Session | Communion Mass | Liturgy Time | Retreat Date | Time |
| Session 1 | Saturday May 9, 2026 | 10:00 am | Saturday April 11, 2026 | 9:00am –12:00pm |
| Session 2 | Saturday May 9, 2026 | 1:00 pm | Saturday April 18, 2026 | 9:00am – 12:00pm |
| Session 3 | Saturday May 23, 2026 | 10:00 am | Saturday April 25, 2026 | 9:00am – 12:00pm |
| Session 4 | Saturday May 23, 2026 | 1:00 pm | Saturday May 2, 2026 | 9:00am – 12:00pm |
RECONCILIATION PREPARATION (Click for more information)
Communicants in grade 2 catholic schools will be prepped for their First Reconciliation the week of February 3rd-10th. If your child is in a higher grade at the school, contact the school office to find out when the pastoral team member will be visiting and be sure to have them attend the prep with another class.
If you are part of the catechetical correspondence program, ask your catechist facilitator (Pilar) to prep you or feel free to book a private appointment with myself or one of the pastors
All communicants must complete their First Reconciliation BEFORE their first communion.
First Reconciliation Nights are scheduled on:
Wednesday February 11, 2026 at 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Thursday February 12, 2026 at 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
5-6 priests will be available for confession in an open setting. Cue cards will be provided in case they forget what to say however, we encourage families to practice at home with their little one. Reconciliation scripts are available on the parish website under (link) Sacraments > First Communion & First Reconciliation > First Reconciliation Preparation Information. There will be a brief welcome and instructions before starting each session.
Alternatively, if you miss First Reconciliation, you can attend the weekly reconciliation on Saturdays at 3:30 pm here in the church. Reconciliations are first come first serve. You can also book a private reconciliation during office hours if your child has special needs or is non-verbal.
ONLINE REGISTRATION
January 9, 2026 to January 30, 2026
Registration is online only through the St. Benedict Parish website. (No paper registrations will be accepted).
There is a $40 admin fee.
Complete the registration in its entirety and submit it along with an electronic copy of your child’s VALID Baptismal Certificate uploaded into the online registration form in PDF electronic format only. 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.
If you were unable to contribute the $40 cost of registration at the time of online registration, feel free to use this link to contribute, HERE.
CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST REQUIREMENTS
COMMITMENT TO CATHOLIC FAITH : Click for more information
We hope that your child’s First Holy 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!
Sunday 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 to your online registration. (Do not send the original to the parish).
Appropriate Dress for First Holy 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 a 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, a 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.
- 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 then, parents 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.
- If you are unable to attend the school reconciliation dates, please feel free to attend any reconciliation at St. Benedict Parish BEFORE your First Communion date.
- Regular St. Benedict reconciliation times are: Saturdays 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
WHAT TO EXPECT ON FIRST COMMUNION DAY
- On the day of your child’s Communion, please arrive at least 30 minutes early.
- Enter through the two main church doors and proceed to the registration table.
- You will be met by a parish volunteer who will check in your child then your Communicant with their family can sit anywhere in the church pews.
- During the mass, all First Communicants will receive their First Holy Communion from any of the Eucharistic Minister or priest.
- 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 eight (8) 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 before 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. Guests, families and visitors ARE NOT allowed in the sanctuary area. Please remind any guests to ensure proper etiquette. Photos are permitted after Mass is over.
Opens FRIDAY JANUARY 9th AT 9:30 AM.
Closes FRIDAY JANUARY 30th AT 4:00 PM.
Registration is online through the St. Benedict Parish website only.
There is a $40 administrative fee administrative fee.
