DID YOU KNOW?
 The parish is the center of faith formation for Catholics.  Every person in your pews, every Catholic in your parish community—child, youth, young adult, adult, senior—is on their own journey towards Jesus Christ and a life of discipleship.  Our journey of faith begins at Baptism, and continues toward full initiation into the Church with the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation.

Children’s preparation for the First Holy Communion  & First Reconciliation begins in the home. The family has the most important role in communicating the Christian and human values that form the foundation of a child’s understanding of the Eucharist. Children who participate with their family in the Mass experience the Eucharistic mystery in an initial way and gradually learn to join with the liturgical assembly in prayer.

WHO ARE WE & WHAT WE DO
Family Preparation
First Communion/First Reconciliation preparation is open to all Elementary, Middle School and High School students, grades 1-12.  

First Communion Sacramental Preparation is a two year program beginning no sooner that First Grade, with gatherings from September to May each year. 
Year One:  Includes learning the foundations of the Catholic faith, the Church and prayer.
Year Two: builds on what the student learned in Year One and prepares them to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

WHAT TO DO
 Sacramental Preparation Checklist

• Your family should be registered parishioners at IHM (or another local parish) and attend Mass regularly.
• Students must be attending one of the following:
  • IHM Faith Formation
  • IHM Parish School
  • Nonparochial Catholic School
• If the 1^st year of faith formation was not at IHM, we will need a letter/record of your child successfully completing the program from your previous church.
• Please supply us with a copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate (if not baptized at IHM) with the full name of church and address.*
• Participate in monthly sessions.  Students attend with at least one adult.
• Complete all lessons in preparation of their sacraments. (Material provided by Director of Religious Education)

*If your child has not been Baptized, they may enter the First Communion Two Year Formation, and prepare for full intiation (Baptism, Communion, Confirmation) at Easter during Year Two.  Please see Director of Religious Education for more information.

For families with students attending public school, register for the 2024/2025 catechetical by clicking this link:

Faith Formation Registration

NEED MORE INFORMATION?
Please contact Robyn Lang in the Faith Formation office with any questions or for more information.
Thank you!