Sacramental Preparation

First Penance and First Eucharist

First Penance (Reconciliation) and First Eucharist (Holy Communion) Sacramental Preparation Contact: Tricia Kull (585) 265-4750 or tricia.kull@dor.org

It is a Diocesan requirement that all children must be enrolled and participating in a Parish or Catholic School Faith Formation program for an entire year before enrolling in Sacrament Preparation. The Faith Formation classes, or Catholic School curriculum, provides the necessary foundation of our faith and core beliefs that will help them to better understand what we will share with them in First Sacrament Preparation, which focuses specifically on the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion.

Students in Grade 2 and above may register to begin their First Sacrament Preparation if they have completed at least one full year of Faith Formation either in a parish or in a Catholic School and are currently enrolled in their second year of Faith Formation.

Jesus Christ is truly present in our midst. The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is an encounter with Jesus that forgives sins and restores us to grace. The Eucharist (Holy Communion) is the most profound way we encounter the real presence of Jesus Christ. In the Diocese of Rochester, children celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to First Holy Communion. Our Sacrament Preparation Program is rooted in Family Faith Formation. Parents are the first and primary catechist for their children. Children will first experience Christ’s love and forgiveness from their parents. Our interactive program will support parents as catechists by providing materials and knowledge to share with their children at home. For each Sacrament, we alternate between in-person sessions for parents and children together and home-based sessions for families to complete on their own time. We then end with a rehearsal and the celebration of the Sacrament.

Information and Registration for our 2024/2025 Program:

• First Sacrament Preparation is an additional program to your child’s Faith Formation classes or Catholic School education.
• Beginning in October we will prepare for First Reconciliation to be received in the fall. We will then begin in the spring to prepare First Communion to be received after Easter.
• To be eligible to begin preparation for First Sacraments, a child must have ALREADY COMPLETED at least ONE FULL YEAR of Faith Formation (Religious Education or Catholic School) in Grade 1 or higher AND ALSO be currently enrolled IN THEIR SECOND FULL YEAR (Religious Education or Catholic School) in Grade 2 or higher.
• Why do families enroll their child in two separate programs for Faith Formation and First Sacraments? The Faith Formation classes will provide the necessary foundation of our faith and core beliefs that will help them to better understand what we will share with them in First Sacrament Preparation, which focuses specifically on the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion.

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Confirmation Preparation Program ( Years 1 and 2)

Confirmation Preparation Contact: Tricia Kull (585) 265-4750 or tricia.kull@dor.org

As the third and final Sacrament of Initiation into the church, the Sacrament of Confirmation can be seen as an interior movement that effects a more mature and active participation in the life of the faith community. Through this Sacrament we are enriched with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which brings to perfection the grace we first received in Baptism.

“Confirmed people more closely identify themselves with Jesus Christ. They reflect more deeply on how living by Jesus’ values affects their relationships with friends, family, and strangers. They desire to be Christ’s hands and feet, reaching out to serve others in need. They hope that when other people hear their words and see their actions, those people see a reflection of Christ acting in the world today. This is one of the reasons the programs preparing [young people] for Confirmation usually have a strong focus on the life of Jesus.” (The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, 3rd ed., Saint Mary’s Press.)

Information and Registration for our 2024/2025 Program:

• Confirmation Preparation throughout the Diocese takes place over the course of two years and begins no earlier than 8th grade. At Holy Trinity, our preparation program begins anew each September and includes weekly catechetical sessions, retreat opportunities, service projects, and regular Mass attendance.
• Confirmation Year 1 must be completed before enrolling in Year 2. Students will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring of Confirmation Year 2.
• Currently enrolled Catholic School students are excused from attending the weekly classroom sessions as the school curriculum meets this requirement. However, in both years of preparation, they are expected to participate in confirmation retreats (one each year), service projects, all scheduled speaker engagements and liturgical special events, as well as regular Mass attendance.

It is recommended that all children be enrolled and participating in a Parish or Catholic School Faith Formation program prior to enrolling in Confirmation Preparation. The Faith Formation classes, or Catholic School curriculum, provides the necessary foundation of our faith and core beliefs that will help them to better understand what we will share with them in Confirmation Preparation.

If your child desires to enroll in Confirmation Preparation and was not enrolled in Catholic School or Faith Formation during this past year, reach out to our Faith Formation office to learn about our Confirmation Initiation Program. While not a requirement, this summer intensive program will enrich the foundation of faith that has been provided at home and help equip youth with a deeper understanding of our core beliefs prior to embarking on their preparation journey.