Sacrament Preparation

"Confession is an act of honesty and courage,
an act of entrusting ourselves
to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God."

St. Pope John Paul II

First Reconciliation Parent Enrollment Meetings Fall 2025

To enroll your child to receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation in January 2026, you must attend one of the following First Reconciliation Parent Enrollment Meetings. The U.S. Bishops require that children be prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to being prepared for First Eucharist (Communion).  Children must be in Grade 2 or above and enrolled in Faith Formation, St. Vincent de Paul School, or another Catholic school and have completed Grade 1 in Faith Formation or a Catholic school.

These meetings are for parents only. Attendance at one of these meetings is required in order to enroll your child for the sacrament even if you have attended these meetings in the past for another child.

• Monday, November 10th, 6 pm - 7 pm in Regan Hall
• Wednesday, November 12th, 6 pm - 7 pm in Regan Hall

An email with more information will be sent out in October to parents of children enrolled in second grade at St. Vincent de Paul Faith Formation and School. Please contact Nichole Chang if you are wanting your child to receive their First Sacraments and they are older than 2nd grade. 

 Questions? Contact Nichole Chang at: [email protected]  


Examination of Conscience for Adults

First Reconciliation at St. Vincent de Paul

The policy of St. Vincent de Paul regarding First Reconciliation consists of a two-fold program. First, parents and guardians are to participate in a meeting in which parents and guardians study and discuss the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They are then expected to prepare their children for the sacrament at home using home preparation materials provided at the parent meeting. Faith Formation classes or religion classes in a Catholic school assist the parents and guardians in preparing their child for First Reconciliation. Second, children are to attend classes through the Faith Formation program, St. Vincent de Paul School, or another Catholic School in first grade in order to receive the sacrament.

 First Reconciliation will be held on: 

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Read more about Penance and Reconciliation in the Catholic Church.

First Sacraments are celebrated by 2nd grade students (or older) who are enrolled in the Faith Formation Program or attend St. Vincent de Paul School or another Catholic School. 

 
"There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us."

St. John Vianney

First Eucharist at St. Vincent de Paul
The policy of St. Vincent de Paul regarding First Eucharist consists of a two-fold program. First, parents and guardians are to participate in a meeting in which parents and guardians study and discuss the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. They are then expected to prepare their children for the sacrament at home using home preparation materials provided at the parent meeting and attend with their child the First Eucharist retreat and First Eucharist rehearsal.  Faith Formation classes or religion classes in a Catholic school assist the parents and guardians in preparing their child for First Eucharist.

Second, children are to attend classes through the Faith Formation program, St. Vincent de Paul School, or another Catholic School in first and second grade in order to receive the sacrament.

2025-2026 First Reconciliation and First Eucharist Due Dates

First Eucharist 2026:

• First Eucharist Parent Enrollment Meeting: 

  To enroll your child to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist in May 2025, you must attend one of the following First Eucharist Parent Enrollment Meetings. The U.S. Bishops require that children be prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to being prepared for First Eucharist (Communion).  Children must be in Grade 2 or above and enrolled in Faith Formation, St. Vincent de Paul School, or another Catholic school and have completed Grade 1 in Faith Formation or a Catholic school. These meetings are for parents only. Attendance at one of these meetings is required in order to enroll your child for the sacrament even if you have attended these meetings in the past for another child.  Watch for more information in January.

  • Monday, February 23, 6 pm - 7 pm, Regan Hall
  • Wednesday, February 25, 6 pm  - 7 pm, Regan Hall

An email with more information will be sent out in January to parents of children enrolled in Grade 2 and Discover at St. Vincent de Paul Faith Formation and School or other Catholic school. Questions? Contact Nichole Chang at [email protected] or 763-762-7406.  

• First Eucharist Retreat For Parents and First Communicants 2025:
  • Monday, April 20, 6:00 -7:15 pm - SVDP Parish school families
  • Wednesday, April  22, 6:00 -7:15 pm- Family Faith Formation families

• First Eucharist Masses 2025:  
  • May 2nd, 5 pm
  • May 3rd, 9 am and 11am

Keeping Holy the Lord's Day: The Importance of Weekly Mass Attendance

Read more about The Eucharist in the Catholic Church.