First Reconciliation & First Communion 2024 Programme of Pymble Catholic Parish
The First Reconciliation and Eucharist programme is open to children, referred to as “candidates” in Year 4 and above who have made their Confirmation with the Catholic Church. When choosing whether or not to embark on this programme, please consider the age and maturity of your child: if you feel your child would benefit from partaking in the programme at an older age, then do so.
The programme commences with the Parent and Candidate Welcome Evening. This is the first session (Session #1) on Thursday 16th May, 630pm - 730pm, at Sacred Heart Church, Pymble. Parents and candidates are requested to attend. This is a combined First Reconciliation and Eucharist meeting.
First Reconciliation
The First Reconciliation programme consists of the following which a parent and the candidate are required to attend for successful completion of the programme:
- Parent and Candidate Welcome Evening (as above, the first formation session),
- Two (additional) formation sessions,
- Presentation mass,
- First Reconciliation celebration (note: there is no practice for Reconciliation).
Preparation Programme: two formation sessions with a nominated home-based group or the parish-facilitated group.
- Home-based family group is parent-driven, run and orchestrated, with other families that are from the candidate’s school. The dates, times and locations are determined by the group.
- Parish-facilitated group is orchestrated by members of the Pymble Sacramental Team at the Parish Office at Sacred Heart Church, Pymble.
- Session #2 options are (choose one):
- Saturday 18th May at 2pm,
- Saturday 18th May at 4pm,
- Sunday 19th May at 1030am (following the 930am mass).
- Session #3 options are (choose one):
- Saturday 1st June at 2pm,
- Saturday 1st June at 4pm,
- Sunday 2nd June at 1030am (following the 930am mass).
- Session #2 options are (choose one):
Presentation Mass: The weekend of Saturday 1st / Sunday 2nd June any Mass at either church.
First Reconciliation times are staggered to ensure all candidates are given ample time and space to confess without having to wait. Please come at your allotted time.
- Tuesday 4th June at Sacred Heart Church. A candidate is given a 5-minute time slot between the times of 4pm and 5pm.
- Wednesday 5th June at OLPS Church. A candidate is given a 5-minute time slot between the times of 330pm and 4pm.
First Eucharist
The First Eucharist programme consists of the following which a parent and the candidate are required to attend for successful completion of the programme:
- Parent and Candidate Welcome Evening (as above),
- Two (additional) formation sessions (this is separate / in addition to the First Reconciliation formation sessions),
- Presentation mass,
- First Eucharist practice,
- First Eucharist celebration.
Preparation Programme: two additional formation sessions with a nominated home-based group or the parish-facilitated group.
- Home-based family group is parent-driven, run and orchestrated, with other families that are from the candidate’s school. The dates, times and locations are determined by the group.
- Parish-facilitated group is orchestrated by members of the Pymble Sacramental Team at the Parish Office at Sacred Heart Church, Pymble.
- Session #2 options are (choose one):
- Saturday 27th July at 2pm,
- Saturday 27th July at 4pm,
- Sunday 28th July at 1030am
- Session #3 options are (choose one):
- Saturday 3rd August at 2pm
- Saturday 3rd August at 4pm,
- Sunday 4th August at 1030am
- Session #2 options are (choose one):
Presentation Mass: The weekend of Saturday 27th / Sunday 28th July, any Mass at either church.
Sacred Heart practice and celebration information:
- Practice for SH: Thursday 8th August at 4pm. Practice will run for about 45 minutes.
- First Eucharist Celebration for SH: Sunday 11th August at 1130am. The celebration will be about 75 minutes.
OLPS practice and celebration information:
- Practice for OLPS: Thursday 15th August at 330pm. Practice will run for about 30 minutes.
- First Eucharist Celebration for OLPS: Sunday 18th August at 11am. The celebration will be about an hour.
If your child has additional needs, we want to ensure they can receive the sacraments in a way that is helpful and inclusive of them, please let us know.
Registration: Registration is for both Reconciliation and Eucharist, inclusive. The fee is not a charge for making the sacraments but to offset the costs of books, materials, resources and infrastructure required to run the programme. Any additional money received is used towards church operations. If you are experiencing financial hardship or require assistance, please contact the Sacramental Team for a confidential discussion. If you are registering more than one child, please do so individually.