At Holy Cross Parish, we understand that family life is busy and that many parents find it a challenge to juggle everything. We also know that being a Catholic is more than just filling a spot in the pew once a week. Our sacrament preparation in-person sessions take place once or twice a month on a schedule of mutual convenience. Sessions are designed to help you and your child prepare for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion (Eucharist) in a fun and dynamic way! Requirements: •for children from grades 2 to 5. •Parishioner of Holy Cross-Parish. •Payment of your fees via e-transfer to bookkeeper.holycross@sasktel.net ($30), cheque of cash to the pastoral assistant. •A copy of your Child's Baptism Certificate •Complete the downloadable registration form and email it to pastoral.assistant@holycrossregina.ca *For children in older grades, please contact the pastotal.assistant@holycrossregina.ca Have a question? Check out our FAQs below! How old does my child have to be to start sacrament prep? Children can prepare to receive their sacraments once they enter grade 2 (about age 7 and up).Children aged 8 or 9 tend to be more mature and understand better. The parents need to discern if their child is ready. What sacraments will my child be preparing for? In the Archdiocese of Regina, children receive the Restored Order of Sacraments. This means that they will receive the sacrament of First Reconciliation first, and then will receive the sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion, all in the same year. This order represents the natural sequence of the three sacraments of Initiation: the Christian is born anew by Baptism, strengthened by Confirmation, and receives in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. What if my child hasn’t been baptized yet? Let us know when you register for sacrament prep – you will attend a separate baptism prep session in fall or winter and your child will receive the sacrament of Baptism before receiving their other sacraments. What if my child has already received First Communion, and only needs to be confirmed? If your child has already received the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion, your family will join the program at the beginning of March when we will begin learning about the sacrament of Confirmation. You should register as soon as possible, making clear on the registration form which sacraments your child has already received. What if I don’t think my child is old enough or mature enough to make an adult commitment to the Church through Confirmation? The sacraments are a gift and a grace from God, and while we will spend nearly a year preparing our hearts to receive them, the sacraments are not earned or merited. For this reason, Confirmation should not be seen as the sacrament of adult commitment to the Church, but instead as another step in your child’s faith journey. Spiritual maturity is not achieved in a single moment (like at the moment of Confirmation) but happens through a life-long deepening of our relationship with Christ, through participation in the Eucharist and apostolic life of the Church. We’re a busy family – what kind of commitment is involved in sacrament prep? At Holy Cross Parish, sacrament prep consists of three commitments: 1. 7 monthly family sessions that run from September to April and are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:15pm. 2.Weekly attendance at Mass 3.Family participation during Lent time with the parish at ceremonies and liturgies (Poor Man’s Supper, Stations of the Cross, Rosary, etc.) What if we can’t come to Mass every Sunday? All Catholics are required to attend Mass every Sunday, but we shouldn’t see it as an imposition, but instead as an invitation to fall deeper in love with Christ each week! Pope John Paul II puts it best: “Sunday is a day which is at the very heart of the Christian life. I would strongly urge everyone to rediscover Sunday: Do not be afraid to give your time to Christ! He gives us ‘his day’ as an ever-new gift of his love. Time given to Christ is never lost time, but is rather gained, so that our relationships and indeed our whole life may become more profoundly human.” Participating in weekly Mass is the best way for your child to prepare to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist. You may attend any one of our weekly Masses (Saturday at 5pm, or Sunday at 9am), There will be a sheet to fill in each Sunday during and right after the Mass that has the student focusing on the parts of the Mass and what can be learned there. If you cannot attend Mass because of illness or travel, or are attending another parish, you can simply email us to let us know. Do parents have to attend the monthly family sessions? Yes! The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and service are the rule” (CCC2223). The sessions are designed to guide you as parents to teach your children about the sacraments they will be receiving. If a parent can’t attend, you may also send your child with a grandparent, godparent, friend of the family, or even a teenage sibling – somebody who can guide your child through the activities and accompany them during the session. My child has some learning challenges – are there any accommodations available? The monthly family sessions include videos, talks, and a variety of activities designed to engage the children in learning about the sacraments in a fun and interactive way. You as a parent have the opportunity to work with your child in the way you know they learn best, and to adapt to their particular learning needs. If your child has a disability that you think may affect their ability to participate, please email pastoral.assistant@holycrossregina.ca so we can come up with an accessibility plan tailored to your child. “All persons with disabilities have gifts to contribute to the whole Church. When persons with disabilities are embraced and welcomed, and invited to participate fully in all aspects of parish community life, the Body of Christ is more complete. The Church owes persons with disabilities her best efforts in order to ensure that they are able to hear the Gospel of Christ, receive the sacraments, and grow in their faith in the fullest and richest manner possible.” (USCCB) We also run an adaptive program for children with more complex cognitive disabilities, including those who are non-speaking or non-verbal. Email pastoral.assistant@holycrossregina.ca to talk about how we can accommodate your child. When will my child receive their sacraments? The sacrament of First Reconciliation will be celebrated with the parish during Advent again at the end of April, and the sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion will be celebrated at a special Mass in May. This is depended on the availability of the archbishop to celebrate that Mass. More questions? Email pastoral.assistant@holycrossregina.ca to find out more!