Dear Parents,

What an amazing time for your child and your family. Preparation to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion should start at home as soon as possible. Combined with weekly Mass attendance, you can start the following practices:

• During bed time help your child go over his/her daily happenings, and together do and Examination of Conscience with the Ten Commandments or the Lord’s prayer (you’ll find a printable version in the Website). You can alternate the EC every night. Remember, you don’t have to do all the steps or ask all the questions, the objective is to reflect not to overwhelm.
• Please practice the Reconciliation steps (also in the Website) with your child. Make it fun and take turns being the Priest or the penitent! Look for the "sins" list on this page.

• When in front of the Priest make a gentle bow and step forward to receive Holy Communion.
• Children should make a throne with their hands, as if they are receiving a king. The hands should be one underneath the other, usually dominant hand on the bottom.
• When the priest says, “The Body of Christ,” look at the Holy Host and respond “Amen” firmly like you believe it!
• Use the bottom hand to pick up the Holy Host and consume it immediately.
• Fold hands in prayer and process back to your seat to make a prayer of thanksgiving.
• If receiving on the tongue, gently extend your tongue after saying “Amen.”

We can not stress enough how important it is for your child to attend Mass every week. You will strengthen your child’s relationship with God, putting into practice the third Commandment of honoring the Lord’s Day while helping your child to have a better understanding of the Sacramental preparation.
Please make sure to read all the information provided on the Website and complete your “sacramental preparation checklist”.  We are looking forward to joining your family in this blessed Journey.

In Christ,
Viviana Lasher
OLV-CRE
“Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it” Proverbs 22:6

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

CHECKLIST

    1.    Family must be registered at Our Lady of Victory Parish.
    2.    Open to all children 7 years old or older who were baptized according to the Rite of the Roman Catholic Church.
    3.    If your child was baptized in a church other than the Roman Catholic Church, you will need to meet with the Religious Education Coordinator to determine the most appropriate formation program for your child.
    4.    Student and family should be actively participating in weekly Sunday Mass.
    5.    Student must have completed one full year of religious education with no less than 80% attendance (or Catholic school) and be currently registered and participating faithfully in a second consecutive year of religious education (or Catholic school).
    6.    For students who attended a Catholic school or are transferring to Our Lady of Victory Church from another parish, registration packet must also include the following:
    a.    Proof of classes for the previous year, and
    b.    Proof of enrollment for the current year from that school or church.
    7.    Parents must schedule an appointment with Father Roy at 850-398-5424 and attend it with their child. At this meeting, students must be able to recite the following prayers from memory:
    a.    THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
    b.    OUR FATHER,
    c.    HAIL MARY
    d.    GLORY BE.                                                                                                   
    8.    After meeting with Father Roy, parents should contact Viviana Lasher at [email protected] to receive access to the online registration form found at the bottom of this page. Completed registration form and a copy of your child's baptism certificate must be returned to the Religious Education office no later than a week after your initial appointment.
    a.    Baptized at Our Lady of Victory: There is a record of the event in our Parish register. Contact the parish office, 850-682-4622.
    b.    Baptized in another parish: If necessary, we can assist you with the address and phone number of your child's Church of Baptism for you to request a copy of your child's baptismal certificate. You must provide us with the Name, City, and State of your child's Church of Baptism.
    c.    Baptized on a military base:  https://www.milarch.org/sacramental-records/


WORKSHOPS

1.  After your child recites his/her prayers to Fr.Roy, please Contact Viviana Lasher, at [email protected] or call 850-682-4622, ext. 4, for access to the Reconciliation and First Communion workshops. 

2.    Parent and child must work through the workshop material together. Remember you are your child's first catechist! We want to strengthen your domestic church.   
   
3.    Cnce finished with the Reconciliation workshop, an in-person meeting or a video conference must be scheduled with Viviana Lasher, at [email protected], or 850-682-4622, ext 4.

4.   After your child receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation, you must continue with the First Communion preparation workshop.

5.    Once finished with the First Communion workshop, an in-person meeting or a video conference must be scheduled with Viviana Lasher, at [email protected], or 850-682-4622, ext 4. 
During this meeting, you will also schedule a pick-up time for your at Home First Communion retreat kit.

6.    Please call the front office and schedule your child's First Communion date.


MINIMUM PROPER ATTIRE FOR FIRST COMMUNICANTS
Girls: White Dress              Boys: Dark Pants and White Shirt

You will be given access to the First Holy Communion Registration Form after completing your sacramental preparation checklist. The completed registration form should be returned with a copy of your child's baptism certificate to Viviana Lasher, Coordinator of Religious Education. Online payments can be made using VANCO Online Giving found on the "About Us" tab.
Please contact Viviana if you have any questions: 850-682-4622, x 4.