July 7, 2020
Dear Sacrament Prep Families,
Father and I have just finished putting the final touches on the plan for your child to receive his/her sacraments in September. We looked at the best way that we could safely accommodate as many people without going over our fifty-person limit. There will be two masses in September, one for children with last names beginning with A-K and one with last names starting with L-Z.
Children whose last names begin with A-K will practice at Holy Family Church on Wednesday, September 16, at 6pm.  They will receive their sacraments on Saturday, September 19, at 10am at the Church. Practice will be at the church on Wednesday, September 16, at 6pm. If your last name is L-Z your child’s practice will be on Wednesday, September 23, at 6pm and Confirmation/1^st Communion Mass will be on Saturday, September 26, at 10am.
Safety protocols will be in place during Mass. Everyone will wear a mask and families will be sitting every other pew. In the Confirmation and Communion line we will adhere to six feet distancing. Please, practice with your children on how to remove their masks when they receive communion in their hand and then placing it in their mouth before putting their mask back on.
Father Bill will wear a mask during communion and during Confirmation. He will sanitize his hands before he starts and after he finishes with the children. During Confirmation Father will be dipping his thumb into the chrism oil and anointing each child’s forehead.
We have done everything we can to follow protocols. If your child’s sponsor is elderly or cannot quarantine for two weeks if coming from out of state, we will have someone at the Mass to stand in for them. If your child is sick on that day, please keep them home. We can make other arrangements for them to receive the sacraments. Please, contact us should you have any questions or concerns.
 
God Bless,
Shelly Carpenter, Lifelong Faith Formation Coordinator
and the Very Reverend Father Wilfred Labbe
 

See you in the Fall 2020!  We pray that you and your families stay healthy and happy. Keep praying, keep smiling, and stay spiritually strong!

Sacramental Preparation and Celebration

Students prepare for their First Reconciliation (Confession) prior to receiving First Eucharist (Communion) and Confirmation when they turn 7 (the age of reasoning). Students are required to complete two years in religious education classes before they are prepared for these sacraments. We offer Sacrament Prep 1 and Sacrament Prep 2 on Mondays from 4:15-5:30pm.

Please note that the Bishop's Office, in consultation with the Pastor, determines the date and time of the First Communion/Confirmation Mass for our parish.
 

Christian Initiation for Children

If your older child is in need of Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation and/or First Eucharist (Communion), please contact the director of religious education at the parish office or the parish priest. If your child attends St. Thomas School, please contact the school office. Christian initiation adapted for children enables children in third grade and higher, who have not completed any of the following sacraments: Baptism, Confession/Reconciliation, Confirmation or First Eucharist (Communion) to enter into a relationship with the living God and share in the life of their identity as Christians. Please contact the parish office for more information or to register your child.