First Reconciliation and First Communion

First Reconciliation Service: December 10, 2025 6:30 – 8:00 pm

First Communion Masses: All Masses the weekend of May 2-3, 2026

Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion is a 2-year process. While the minimum age to begin is 1^st Grade, our preparation can accommodate all ages of children who need these sacraments. Our ministry uses the Pathways model of formation from Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries. (Learn more here: https://www.fflcm.org/home)

For children doing their Sacramental Preparation through St. John Neumann, we provide a combination of at-home and at-church opportunities to support the parents as the primary educators in their child(ren)’s faith formation.

At-Church support sessions are offered on one Sunday OR Tuesday each month, and the schedules can be found below to download. After registering for 25-26 Family of Faith, families will be sent a Sign Up Genius to choose Session A (Sundays) or Session B (Tuesdays). Session slots are available on a first come basis. The 25-26 Registration form can be found on our main Family of Faith Page here: saintjohnsunbury.org/family-faith-formation-1.

Ministry Details

Year 1 First Communion Preparation

Families begin preparing for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist with the Pathways models of formation, SEEK (1st Semester) and ROOT (2nd Semester).

SEEK consists of 4 at-church support sessions for at least one parent/guardian and the child to attend.

SEEK Session Options (choose one):

SEEK Session A meets 1 Sunday a month from 10:15 - 11:15 am

SEEK A Calendar

SEEK Session B meets one Tuesday a month from 6:30 – 7:30 pm with the option to have pizza at 6:15 pm

SEEK B Calendar

ROOT consists of 6 at-home Family Meetings, and 4 at-church support sessions for at least one parent/guardian and the child to attend.

ROOT Session Options (choose one)

ROOT Session A meets 1 Sunday a month from 10:15 - 11:15 am

ROOT A Calendar

ROOT Session B meets one Tuesday a month from 6:30 - 7:30 pm with the option to have pizza at 6:15 pm

ROOT B Calendar

Year 2 First Communion Preparation

Second year students continue their preparation with the Pathways models of formation, MEND (1st Semester) and NOURISH (2nd Semester).

As a more focused preparation for First Reconciliation, MEND includes seven at-home Family Meetings and four in-church support sessions, which must be attended by the child and at least one parent or guardian.

MEND Session Options (choose one)

MEND Session A meets one Sunday a month from 10:15 - 11:15 am

MEND A Calendar

MEND Session B meets one Tuesday a month from 6:30 - 7:30 pm with the option to have pizza at 6:15 pm

MEND B Calendar

As a deeper focused preparation for First Communion, NOURISH consists of 9 at-home Family Meetings, and 4 at-church support sessions for at least one parent/guardian and the child to attend.