Your child’s First Reconciliation is the first opportunity in which they can prepare their soul for the reception of their First Holy Communion by having their sins forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Your child’s First Communion is the first time in which they will receive Jesus in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. These are significant moments in a person’s life as they embark on a journey of deeper union, understanding, and relationship with Jesus Christ.
Through our parish’s Family Faith Formation program, our team of ministers will journey alongside your child and your family to prepare your child not only to receive these major sacraments, but also to form the knowledge and tools they will need to live out their Catholic faith in their day to day lives.
Reconciliation (otherwise known as Confession) is a Sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ. In Confession, we express our sorrow for having hurt God and others, and receive absolution from our sins. In His mercy and compassion, God has provided this Sacrament as a way for humanity to receive His forgiveness for the times we sin and turn away from God. This is made possible through Christ’s Passion and Crucifixion (Is 53:5, Jn 20:19-23). At the same time, we are also reconciled with the Church because, as the Body of Christ, it is also wounded by our sins.
The Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ – in Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
Catholics believe that when you receive the Eucharist, you are receiving Jesus’ body and blood, in the forms of bread and wine. This is made possible through transubstantiation. The scriptural basis for the Insitution of the Eucharist is found throughout the bible. One of the most famous references is known as the “bread of life discourse” in John 6:22-71.
When one receives the Eucharist, they also deepen their “communion” with God and His Church, hence why it may also be referred to as “receiving Holy Communion.” For this reason, Catholics prepare themselves to be properly disposed to receive Jesus in the Eucharist by receiving the forgiveness and absolution of their sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (Hence why your child will be prepared for both Sacraments at the same time). In the act of receiving the Eucharist, one also professes their communion with and belief in the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Baptism is the first Sacrament one must receive when entering the Catholic faith and before receiving any other Sacrament.
If your child is interested in receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Eucharist, but was not baptized or was baptized through a different Christian denomination, please contact:
Take your child to Church—the more they attend Mass with their family, the more fully they will understand what it’s all about.
Make sure they pay attention to the Consecration and how people receive communion.
Practice saying the responses during Mass.
Keep telling your child how special their day will be no matter who is there or what they are wearing because they will get to receive Jesus for the first time!
And above all: PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!
For questions about First Reconciliation or First Communion, please contact:
For questions about financial assistance, please contact the SGG Evangelization Office by clicking here or calling 513-388-4187.
Baptism is the first Sacrament one must receive when entering the Catholic faith and before receiving any other Sacrament. Baptism is the means by which one enters into the Body of Christ, is cleansed from Original Sin, and receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
If your child is interested in receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Eucharist, but was not baptized or was baptized through a different Christian denomination, please contact:
No. This process is for those who have been previously baptized in the Catholic Church. If your child is not baptized or baptized in another Christian denomination but would like to begin the journey of entering the Catholic Church, please contact us to learn more.
We understand that not every Catholic school student is Catholic and that questions may arise about their participation in the Sacraments. If your child was baptized in another Christian denomination, their baptism may still be valid. If your child would like to begin the journey of entering the Catholic Church, please contact us to learn more.
If your child would like to begin the journey of entering the Catholic Church, please contact us to learn more.
If the adults or older children in your family are interested in beginning their journeys into the Catholic Church, please contact the Faith Formation Office at peggys@ihom.org or call 513-388-4187 to inquire about OCIA.
First Reconciliation and First Communion are not implicitly associated with any particular grade level. The Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Communion can be received at any age upon preparation through processes such as OCIA.