Sacramental Preparation Programs for First Eucharist
and First Reconciliation

/files/Faith Formation Files/Sacramental Prep/ev4pa15[1].jpgThe Sacramental Preparation Program at St. Gregory the Great combines Home Study with group programs that bring families together in community to celebrate and learn. The program requires separate and concurrent registration with the Faith Formation Program or enrollment in a Catholic school. The program officially begins in the fall.

Fall Parent-Child Orientations are scheduled throughout October and into November. Exemptions to sacramental preparation requirements of the program (for special circumstances require Pastoral approval.

For specific Sacramental Preparation dates, see the Faith Formation calendar.

Requirements for the Sacramental Preparation Program

  • Children must have completed one prior year of Faith Formation or one year of Catholic School Education. If the Previous year of Faith Formation was Home Study, the monthly or quarterly submission requirements must have been met for the year to qualify as a valid year of Faith Formation.
  • At least one parent and the child are required to attend the Fall Orientation session.
  • Children and parents are required to attend two Family Sacramental Preparation Retreats. Other family members are encouraged to participate as well. There are multiple dates offered for both the Reconciliation Retreat and the Eucharist Retreat.
  • Children and parents are required to complete the Home Study book and turn it in no later than the due date.
  • First Eucharist Children and parents are required to attend their own rehearsal during the week prior to their scheduled First Communion weekend.
  • Children are required to attend regularly scheduled Faith Formation sessions. Unavoidable absences will be excused when the make-up work in turned in.
  • CHILDREN ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND WEEKLY MASS WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

Failure to complete program requirements means your child's Sacramental program will be postponed until the following year. Please make programs dates and requirements a priority to ensure your child can receive the Sacraments of Eucharist or Reconciliation this year.

Dress Code for the Sacraments

There is no set dress code for First Eucharist with the following exceptions:

  • Girls should wear a dress (any color)
    The usual dress for girls is a white dress and a veil, tiara or wreath of flowers on the head. Although white is not required, you may want to consider that a white dress is traditional and a customary choice.
  • Boys should wear slacks, dress shirt and dress shoes.
  • For First Reconciliation the dress code is not as formal. Clothing that is appropriate for Sunday Mass would also be appropriate for your child’s First Reconciliation.
  • Please, no tennis shoes!

More Information

For more information about sacramental preparation, you can download the First Eucharist Frequently Asked Questions and the First Reconciliation Frequently Asked Questions.

To help you prepare your children, please download the following documents if you have not already receved them:

For more information, contact
Office of Faith Formation
Ginger Marlin or Judy Roitz
858-653-3594
ff@stgg.org