DIOCESAN POLICY
In a recent communication from the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, we were given the required Diocesan policies for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. St. Andrew's is in compliance with these general principles and policies that have been mandated. Participation in the sacraments is a shared responsibility of parents, catechists, and the church itself, which is the assembly of believers united in Christ. The following is a general overview of how this process occurs within our parish. In the event that your young person has not completed preparation and/or received a particular sacrament, and you are concerned, you should contact the assigned coordinator. It is your responsibility to contact these individuals for further instructions.
FIRST RECONCILIATION and FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - Children preparing for these sacraments should be concurrently enrolled in Sunday morning Christian Formation, or at Roanoke Catholic School. Preparation for sacraments is offered in addition to the above mentioned faith formation. Please see Christian Formation calendar for specific dates. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church "Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time." (CCC 1457) Readiness for children to begin preparation for these sacraments is determined in part by:
(For Reconciliation)
(For First Holy Communion)
As of now, it is our plan to hold SAFE, APPROPRIATE, and RESPONSIBLE
sacramental preparation classes in person on the following dates.
Please stay tuned to this page for any changes to this plan.
First Reconciliation Preparation Calendar- 2020
October 19 Parent Orientation (required) Zoom mtg. 7:00-7:30 PM
or
October 27 Parent Orientation (required) Zoom mtg. 7:00-7:30 PM
October 31 Parent/Child session Parish Center 10:00-11:30 AM
November 14 Parent/Child session Parish Center 10:00-11:30 AM
November 21 Parent/Child session Parish Center 10:00-11:30 AM
December 5 Sacrament of Reconciliation Church 10:00 AM
First Communion Preparation Calendar - 2021
March 1, 2021 Parent Orientation (required) Social Hall or Zoom (TBA) 7:00-7:30 PM
or
March 8, 2021 Parent Orientation (required) Social Hall or Zoom (TBA) 7:00-7:30 PM
March 20, 2021 Parent/Child session Parish Center 8:45-11:00 AM
March 27, 2021 Parent/Child session Parish Center 8:45-11:00 AM
April 17, 2021 Parent/Child session Parish Center 8:45 AM-12:30 PM
April 28, 2021 Rehearsal/Pictures Church 6:00 – 8:00 PM
May 8/9, 2021 First Communion Mass Church All Masses
Receptions following Mass in the Social Hall
Each class session will have the following format:
9:45 – 10:00 am Arrival* (Social Hall will be open at 9:45 am)
10:00 – 10:15 am Attendance, announcements, opening prayer
10:15 – 10:45 am Parents stay with children in Social Hall, while children begin working through textbook material for the day.
10:45 – 11:15 am Children stay in the Social Hall. Parents go to the Church with one of the priests for their own adult faith formation.
11:15 – 11:30 am Parents return to the Social Hall for closing, and any home assignments of unfinished textbook work. Dismissal.
* Precautions for attendees.
Additionally,
Before entering, all will need to use the provided hand sanitizer.
Seats are already spaced with the appropriate distance and there will be no moving around of chairs to make sure that we stay at the correct distance.
Face coverings for those under the age of 5 are not required, however, if you want your child to wear one, please do so.
CLICK HERE for the Parent Orientation Power Point