My name is Fr. Mariusz Sztuk, SDS and I am delighted to be working with YOU to co-ordinate the preparation for First Reconciliation and Holy Communion, this year. The beginning of the school year also marks the beginning of sacramental preparation. I would like to invite the children to celebrate both sacraments in their Grade Two or Three. The home and parish carry the primary responsibility for this preparation. Enrolment celebration, parent orientation meetings, and sacramental celebrations will originate from the parish. Your involvement and your participation in the parish are crucial to your child's faith development and ultimate commitment to the Catholic faith. The school instruction regarding the meaning of the sacraments is an essential part of the program. It supports and enhances the learning and the experiences the children encounter at home and in the parish. The readiness of your child to receive this sacrament will be decided by you in consultation with Fr. Marius. Your home preparation can begin now. While you await further communication from the parish we encourage you to bring the following points to your child's awareness:

• The fact that she/he may be celebrating a sacrament.
• The name of the sacraments she/he may be preparing to celebrate.

It is also important that as a family you consciously begin your child's preparation for the sacrament by intensifying:

• Your regular participation in Sunday Mass.
• Your daily morning and evening prayer.
• Your daily efforts to imitate the life of Jesus.

Each class will be held at St. Francis de Sales Parish (SFDS) and will start at 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays after the 5:00 p.m. Mass. The cost for this preparation will be determined later on. The cost is connected to covering the expenses of the child’s Bible and the materials used during the preparation. Registration is currently open for the journey of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. However, this year, only the path of First Reconciliation will be available. The path to First Communion will start in February of 2025. Please take the first step by registering online at:

REGISTRATION

Please bring a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate (if they were baptized at St. Francis de Sales, this is not necessary)

• The Rehearsal will be held on Saturday, June7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the church.
• The celebration of the First Holy Communion will be held on Sunday, June 8, at 3:00 p.m.

Please mark these dates in your calendar. They will also be published in the weekly church bulletin. Please contact our Secretary Nancy in the parish office, (403) 652-2203, or by email at francisdesales@shaw.ca if you have any questions.