1st Reconciliation Readiness

• Has the child been baptized and reached the age of reason (age 7)? If they have not yet been baptized, read about Youth Journey.
• Does the child know the difference between right and wrong?
• Can the child distinguish between mistakes or accidents and deliberate wrongdoing?
• Can the child express sorrow for sin?
• Can the child forgive others?
• Does the child pray at home and at Mass?
• Does the child relate to Jesus as one who forgives?

1st Eucharist Readiness

• Is the child interested in receiving Holy Communion?
• Does the child have a sense of belonging to the Catholic community?
• Does the child participate in the Sunday liturgy, according to his/her ability?
• Does the child relate to Jesus as one who loves and cares for him/her?
• Does the child understand that he/she is to care for others?
• Has the child prepared for and had an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

1. Sacrament Registration: All families must register their child for 1st Sacraments (Reconciliation and Eucharist) at St. Stephen, Martyr Catholic Church. Please call the Parish Office at 757-421-7416 if you are not a parishioner.
2. Sunday and Holy Day Mass Attendance. The Mass and the Eucharist are the very center of our Catholic faith. The obligation to attend Sunday and Holy Day Masses is a responsibility for all Catholics. We expect all of our children to attend Sunday and Holy Day Masses.
3. 1st Sacraments Session Attendance. These sessions are mandatory preparation classes. They will take place on Wednesday evenings, according to the 1st Sacrament Preparation Calendar. There are six sessions for Reconciliation and six for Eucharist. There are no make-up sessions for a missed class. Make-ups will be done by the parent at home.
4. Parent Participation. One or both parents are expected to attend the three parent sessions for each sacrament. Once parents discern their child is ready to begin First Sacramental preparation, they should attend a parents’ session to deepen their own understanding of the sacrament and prepare for their role in the home learning component of the parish preparation program for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.
5. Religious Education Enrollment and Attendance. The Diocese of Richmond requires all children seeking their 1st Sacraments to be concurrently enrolled in a religious education program during the year in which they prepare for the two sacraments. Enrollment in a religious education program is defined as one of the following:
   • Participation in Quest at St. Stephen Martyr
   • Enrollment in a diocesan or private Catholic school (such as St. Matthew’s Catholic School)
   • Participation in a home school Catholic religious education program (approved by the pastor)
   • Although a year of systematic religious education (in the parish, the home or the Catholic school) in advance of preparation for First Reconciliation/Eucharist would certainly be helpful, there is no requirement that a child had to be enrolled in formal religious education.
6. 1st Sacrament Fee. There is a fee for each child which covers the cost of books. Quest is an additional fee. If this is not possible or your child attends Catholic school, please contact the Traci.
7. Baptismal Certificate Parents must provide a recently dated copy of their child’s baptismal certificate by January 1.  A copy must be obtained from the church at which the child received their baptism.
8. First Eucharist Practice. The weekend prior to First Eucharist Sunday, children and their parents attend the First Eucharist Retreat. This allows children to run through the Mass, sample unconsecrated host and wine, and complete a service project.
9. First Eucharist Liturgy. First Eucharist will take place during the first weekend in May.

1st RECONCILIATION

• Appropriate church clothes (no shorts, t-shirts, tennis shoes, or sports uniforms)

• Dress pants with a belt
• Dress shoes with socks
• Dress shirt with collar, shirt tucked in
• Tie (suggested, but optional)
• Jacket (suggested, but optional)

• Pastels or white dress
• A veil (suggested, but optional)
• No gloves