First Holy Communion and Reconciliation Information

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)

• Has been baptized
• Has reached the age of reason (7 years old)
• Can distinguish between right and wrong
• Can distinguish between mistakes and accidents
• Is able to express sorrow for sin
• Has the ability to forgive others
• Prays at home and at Mass
• Is able to relate to Jesus as one who forgives

(For First Holy Communion)

• Has been baptized
• Has reached the age of reason (7 years old)
• Is interested in receiving the sacrament
• Feels like they belong to the Catholic community
• Participates in Sunday Mass
• Prays at home and at Mass
• Has the ability to relate to Jesus as one who loves
• Has prepared for and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Retreat - Saturday, April 17th following the regular class session:
The children will be making their First Communion banner, tasting "unconsecrated" hosts, making a card for the residents of Our Lady of the Valley, and taking a virtual tour of the Church. All materials are supplied, there is nothing you need to bring.

Rehearsal - Wednesday, April 28th at 6:00 pm:
The children will be practicing how to process from their pew to receive the sacrament. We will also be doing individual and group pictures with our photographer, Kevin Hurley.  Please click HERE for the picture order form.  The children should be wearing their First Communion attire.

click images to enlarge

 

First Communion Weekend - May 8 and 9:
The children will be receiving at the 5:30 pm Mass on Saturday, and at the 7:30 am, 10:00 am and 12:30 pm Masses on Sunday. We will allow 5 students per Mass.   Procedure:

• Each family will have one pew reserved.  Children do not process in with the priest; they are already seated.  Please have child sit on inside end of pew.
• Children will participate in bringing forward the gifts of bread and wine.
• When it is time for Communion the children will receive first. They will be directed from their pew to the front and will receive the Body of Christ from Father Kevin. They will keep their mask on until they step to the side of the altar, where they will lower their mask, consume the Eucharist, and replace their mask. They then walk to the outside of the pew and sit there.  Children receiving on the tongue will do so in front of the altar, not off to the side.
• After all 5 children receive, the families will be invited to come forward and receive Communion as usual. When the family gets up to receive, the child slides back into their original seat at the inside of the pew.
• After Mass has concluded, all other parishioners will be dismissed, while the First Communion families remain in the pews. If the family wants a photo in front of the altar, you will have an opportunity after everyone leaves the Church.
• There will be no group photo with the priest in front of the altar.

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)     Zoom             7:00-7:30 PM
    or
March 8, 2021                Parent Orientation (required)      Zoom            7:00-7:30 PM
March 20, 2021              Parent/Child session                   Parish Center    10:00-11:30 AM
March 27, 2021              Parent/Child session                   Parish Center    10:00-11:30 AM
April 17, 2021                Parent/Child session                   Parish Center    10:00 AM -12:15 PM
April 28, 2021                 Rehearsal/Pictures                     Church              6:00 – 8:00 PM
May 8/9, 2021                First Communion Mass               Church         All Masses 
                                       

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. (On April 17th
                                                               the parents will go to Classroom 2/3 downstairs.)
            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.

• Do you currently have a fever (your temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher)?
• In the past two (2) weeks, have you presented symptoms of COVID-19, such as a fever, chills, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, with no alternative diagnosis.
• In the past two (2) weeks, have you been exposed - less than six (6) feet for greater than 15 minutes - to anyone who has tested positive for or exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 (with no alternative diagnosis), without wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• If any individual or household responds “yes” to any question or are not wearing a face covering (if they are age 5 and older), they must not be permitted to enter the church.

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.