Welcome to St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church

Reconciliation

First Reconciliation and First Communion Parent Meeting
September 22nd, 23rd & 24th, 2008 - Monday 5-6:30 and 6:45-8:25 - Tuesday 5-6:30 - Church
CHOOSE ONE DAY AND TIME!

Parents are to choose one of the days and times above to attend a parent meeting about preparing their child for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Registration will take place at the parent meetings. Registration is required for all children celebrating these sacraments at St. Max during 2008-2009 (including those already registered in RFY or at an Archdiocesan Catholic School). If you have questions, please contact Mary Montour at 777-4322 x120 or mmontour@saint-max.org.  It is important for parents to know that children are required to prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation before preparing for the sacrament of Eucharist. Children are also required to complete a regular religious education program through RFY, RFY Home Study, or at a Catholic school.

Children in the 2nd grade are invited to prepare for the celebration of First Reconciliation, as part of their preparation to receive First Eucharist. A parent-child retreat is part of the preparation process. The children celebrate the sacrament with the parish community at the Advent Reconciliation Service. Contact Colleen Gerke in the RFC office at 777-4322, ext. 106. An additional parish reconciliation service is held during the season of Lent. Children older than 2nd grade and adults over the age of 18 desiring to receive their First Reconciliation should contact Carol Heuser at the parish office, 777-4322, ext. 104. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Saturdays, from 3:15 to 4:00 or by appointment, and First Friday of the month after 8:30 a.m. Mass.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR RECONCILIATION AND EUCHARIST

The policy of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is that children in the 2^nd grade, about age 7, be prepared for and celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation before they are prepared for and celebrate the sacrament of Eucharist.  Therefore, children are prepared for and celebrate the two sacraments in the same year.  They are also to be prepared by their parish of membership.  St. Max recognizes the formation children receive in an Archdiocese Catholic School and Religious Formation of Youth (RFY) classes or Home Study program at St. Max.  (If your child receives formation through Home School or a non-Archdiocesan school, please contact Colleen Gerke.)  We have 3 Sunday evening sessions and a Saturday retreat for each of the two sacraments for the integration of the knowledge of the language and “how to” of our faith with the traditions and practices of the faith.  These additional sessions beyond the classroom are for the child and a parent (or special adult) to attend together.  Using our parish data base, all parents of children with a birthday of June 1, 1999 through September 30, 2000 received an informational letter concerning preparation so as to not over look any child.  If your child is in the first grade or third grade and already celebrated the sacrament, please just leave a message with Colleen Gerke at 777-4322 ext. 106 that preparation is not needed at this time. 

If your child has not received First Eucharist and is in 3rd grade or older, please contact the office, 777-4322 x106, for information on preparation.