Sacrament Preparation Ministry

This ministry deals with the preparation of candidates for First Communion and First Reconciliation. Teams formed for each sacrament will conduct the preparation programs. Parents and children are required to attend all the sessions for First Communion and First Reconciliation and the parents will then supplement the teaching of their children with the parish sessions. Instruction and teaching resources will be given to the parents. Volunteers are needed for these programs to serve as Sacrament Preparation Team members. Anyone interested is asked to contact the Parish Office. Details on each program follow:

Please Note: Anyone who wishes to receive a sacrament must be a registered member of the St. Michael Catholic Community for at least three months prior to the start of a given preparation session.

First Communion

The First Communion Preparation program used at St. Michael is "We Share in the Eucharist". This program is taught in home by the child's parents, and augmented with parish sessions for the children to complement the parental instruction. Parents receive instruction on the program through three evening sessions conducted by the First Communion Preparation Team. A fourth evening is included in each session during which a ritual meal will be celebrated involving the candidates and their parents. Evening sessions start at 7:00 pm. The Ritual Dinner starts at 6:00 pm and usually is finished by 8:00 pm. After completion of the sessions, a Readiness Interview will be conducted during which the children will be asked to explain what they have learned during their preparation time.

Session 2011/1 – January, 2011

Session Dates
Evenings – January 4th, 11th, and 18th, 2011 - 7:00 PM
Ritual Dinner – January 25th - 6:00 PM
Readiness Interviews – January 26th, 27th and 28th - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Celebrations – January 29th and 30th

Forms related to this session are as follows:

• Form 1 – Registration Form
• Aide Memoire

Children must be in Grade 2 or higher to be accepted into the program for this year.

Sessions are limited to a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 80 candidates per session. Registration will be accepted on a ‘first come – first serve’ basis.

A Fee of $30 will be levied to cover the cost of materials and the Ritual Dinner.

For more information, please contact Maureen Ross at 403.249.0423 ext. 126 or by e-mail mross@sntmichael.com.

Session 2011/2 – May, 2011

Session Dates
Evenings – May 3rd, 10th, and 24th, 2011 - 7:00 PM
Ritual Dinner – May 24th - 6:00 PM
Readiness Interviews – May 25th, 26th, and 27th - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Celebrations – May 28th and 29th

Forms related to this session are as follows:

• Form 1 – Registration Form
• Aide Memoire

For more information, please contact Maureen Ross at 403.249.0423 ext. 126 or by e-mail mross@sntmichael.com.

First Reconciliation

The program used at St. Michael is "We Discover God's Paths". This program is for children in Grade 4 or higher and involves three evening sessions for parents who in turn teach their children at home. Three children's sessions offered at the Parish are intended to complement the parental instruction. There will also be a reconciliation practice arranged for the children.

Next Session – March 2011

Forms related to this session are as follows:

• Form 1 – Registration Form
• Aide Memoire

Sessions are limited to 60 children and registrations will be accepted on a ‘first come - first serve’ basis.

Candidates must be in Grade 4 or higher.

A fee $25 will be levied to cover the cost of materials.

For more information, please contact mross at 403.249.0423 ext. 126 or by e-mail mross@sntmichael.com.