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First Reconciliation & First Communion
Come closer to Jesus through these beautiful Sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion!
We are excited to journey with you and your family and look forward to helping you experience Christ's love for us all through these two Sacraments.
Family involvement is so key in preparing to receive these Sacraments. Parents are the primary catechists and faith witnesses in a child's life! Our parish is here to walk with you so that your child can experience these sacraments in all their fullness.
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The preparation for both these Sacraments is threefold.
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Online via our website with parents at home;
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Religious instruction in the Catholic School throughout the school year, led by school educators;
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Parish instruction session held at the Church during Lent with our Sacramental Preparation Team.
Children are naturally spiritual beings and this spiritual life thrives when they see their parents, educators and fellow parishioners engaged in religious practice and their relationship with God. These affirming links between parish, home and school form the child in the values of the Gospel as they see these values lived at home, in the school and in the parish.
We invite any young person and their family who feels they are ready to approach the Church for these sacraments to complete the following steps below:
Step One - Making the Commitment:
The Sacrament of First Communion and the Eucharist initiates the candidate deeper into the life of Christ and the Church and strengthens him or her for the challenges of Christian living as a disciple of the Lord in the Parish community. Therefore, this Sacrament is properly celebrated when the candidate with their family has made a decision, proper to his or her age, to believe in the Lord, live according to His teachings, and participate in the life of the Church. Parents and guardians are expected to make the same commitments since their child will need their support to live a vibrant life in the Catholic Church and participate in the preparation programs.
Step Two - Register:
Registration for Reconciliation/First Communion takes place in the Parish to which you belong and where you and your family attend Mass. For those belonging to Saint Paul the Apostle Parish, please click here to register by downloading and filling out the .pdf and sending to sacraments@stpaulkingston.com.
If you registered online before November 1, 2022, please register again, using the updated format. For those belonging to other parishes, please contact your pastor or parish office for more information on registration for First Communion. If you cannot register online, please pick up a registration form at Sunday Mass or from the Parish Office.
Step Three - Submit your Baptismal Certificate:
Candidates for First Communion must provide a Baptismal Certificate, which clearly indicates the Church, date and place of Baptism. A Baptismal Certificate is not needed for those baptized at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, Kingston, only the date of Baptism is needed. Certificate or baptismal information can be sent by email to: sacraments@stpaulkingston.com.
Step Four - Prepare:
Once the Registration Form form has been submitted, it's time to start preparation for First Communion! As mentioned above, sacramental preparation will consist of three elements or pillars, involving the Family, the Catholic School and the Parish:
Family: Now is the time to begin. In preparation, we ask parents and First Communion candidates to complete a series of modules consisting of short, engaging videos and discussion. Ideally, this part of the preparation should be completed before the in person sessions in 2023. Click here to get started!
Catholic School: Catholic Schools play an essential and supportive role in parental and parish preparation for the sacraments. Throughout the school year catechetical instruction of children in the Catholic Faith builds on the family practice of the Faith and continues in Catholic Schools The role of parents in the religious education and practice of the faith is affirmed and respected by the School.
Parish: The Parish is the family of families and is the place where God calls all to assemble as the Body of Christ and a Community of Faith to give thanks and praise to God, to witness to the risen life of Christ and to continue the work of evangelisation and outreach. In addition to the religious education in our Catholic Schools, the Parish will be offering preparation classes duirng Lent at the Church to supplement the online videos. Each candidate will be asked to complete one Unit of 4 sessions. These will be led by the Parish Youth and Family Coordinator and parish volunteers. A Unit will be offered during Lent on different days to accommodate family schedules. You will be notified of the details by email and notices in the Parish Bulletin.
Letter for Parents distributed through the Catholic Schools: Click here.
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Are there requirements for the parents?Yes. At least one parent must be a practicing Catholic. Parents must participate in our baptism preparation program, regardless of having a child previously baptized. Once parents have completed that baptism preparation program you will be able to schedule the baptism date.
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When are baptisms held?Baptisms can be held at a variety of times. Since the Sacrament of Baptism is about welcoming your child into the Christian community, celebrating the sacrament at a weekend or even a weekday Mass is preferred. However, baptisms for invited friends and family may also be arranged.
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What are the requirements for godparents?Yes. At least one of the godparents must be a practicing Catholic.
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How old can a godparent be?All godparents must be 16 years of age or older.
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Can there be more than 2 godparents?No, there can only be 2 official godparents. Godparents are a godmother and godfather. There cannot be two godmothers or two godfathers. Alternatively, a family can also just have one godparent.
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What if a godparent is out of town and cannot make the baptism?You can have a godparent by proxy. Please indicate this on the baptism inquiry form.
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Is there a cost for the baptism preparation resources?Yes - we use the online baptismal prepartion resource from Ascension Press called, Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God. This resource costs ~$12 CAD and is to be paid for by your family. Please contact us if you need assistance or if this is not feasible for your family.
Questions?