First Holy Communion
Welcome!

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First Holy Communion is a sacrament of welcome into the community of Jesus Christ and celebrates the beautiful gift of belonging to Jesus Christ with the community of the Catholic Church for the whole world. It invites and calls us to joyfully live, learn, love, grow, and be nourished in faith together.
Households with children who are baptized and in 2nd grade or higher by fall 2020 are welcome to enroll in St. Matthew's First Communion preparation program.  Before receiving First Communion, all children at St. Matthew's are provided the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation, and are provided age-appropriate catechetical instruction to prepare for this special sacramental moment. Please note: First Communion families are expected to participate in Generations of Faith, our parish’s faith formation program. 
JUNE 2021 UPDATE: We are thrilled and so very grateful to have completed the 2020-2021 faith formation/sacramental prep year in good health and good spirits! Our deepest thanks to our volunteers and households - your support, flexibility and faith made this a graced year of living, learning and growing in faith together. Thank you! We are busily planning for our 2021-2022 faith formation/sacramental prep programs. Please stay tuned for updates. 

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First Holy Communion is a sacrament that invites our participation. It joins us most fully with Christ and all the members of the Church, and strengthens us to live as children of God. Sacramental preparation comprises ritual experiences and expression, prayer, scripture, and reflection, and so First Communion candidates and at least one parent are expected to attend all sessions on the attached schedule, including our monthly Faith Formation program, Generations of Faith.  To learn more about Generations of Faith (GOF), visit our GOF webpage.
 
Reconciliation is a sacrament that invites us to celebrate God’s endless love and mercy. Before receiving First Communion, all children at St. Matthew's are provided the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation, and are provided age-appropriate catechetical instruction to prepare for this special sacramental moment.

As we know, this year is unlike any other, and so we are adapting our program with the safety and well-being of all in mind.  Our current plans are based on governmental and diocesan regulations and could change if these regulations change.  We will practice safety measures at all times: social distancing, small groups, and wearing masks, etc.  More information will be available at our September parent meetings. (Please see below for more information about our September parent meetings.)  

Three Steps to Enroll in First Communion & Reconciliation Preparation

Step One: Register for one of our September parent meetings - September 8, 2020 at 6:30PM OR Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 6:30PM. The meetings will be held at St. Matthew’s in the Social Hall.  Social distancing will be practiced, and all are required to wear masks.  If you feel ill on that day, please stay home.  Capacity will be limited so registration is required.  Register using this link:
Update: Registration for 2020-2021 is now closed.
                  
Step Two: Complete a First Communion Registration Form: 
Here is the link to complete the First Communion Registration Form: Update: Registration for 2020-2021 is now closed.
(Deadline = September 16, 2020)

Step Three: Complete a Generations of Faith (GOF) Registration Form on-line:
We strongly urge you to visit our GOF webpage to learn about how GOF will work this year.  You will see that there are two options for participating in GOF this year: an onsite and a virtual learning option.  Each option is explained, and there are FAQ's to help you make the most informed decision about participating in faith formation at St. Matthew's this year. Registration for GOF will take place as a two-part process. First you will fill out our online registration form below. If you have chosen the onsite option, you will then receive an email with directions for signing up for the cohort of your choice. If you have chosen the virtual option, we will follow up with you to provide you with the information you need to access each month's virtual gathering space. Here is the link to complete the Generations of Faith Registration Form: Update: Registration for 2020-2021 is now closed.
​(Deadline = September 16, 2020)

2020-2021 First Communion & Reconciliation Preparation Schedule
Welcome! 
Reminder: At least one parent/guardian must participate in all scheduled events with your children. Note that there are three “parent only” meetings on the calendar as well.  While some families may choose to participate in some components of the preparation program virtually (i.e. Generations of Faith), at other times you will need to be on-site. Thank you!

Schedule for GOF 2020-2021
Households attend all Generations of Faith sessions (on-site or virtual):
  • October: week of October 18
  • ​November: week of November 15
  • December: week of December 13
  • January: week of January 17
  • February: week of February 7
  • March: week of March 21
  • April: week of April 18
  • May: week of May 16
  • June: week of June 13

Households also attend (on-site):
*September 8 or September 9, 6:30pm: Parent Meeting  
*Saturday, October 3 or Sunday October 4, Time TBD:  Parent/Child Kickoff Retreat  
*Sunday, November 1, Time TBD: Parent/Child Reconciliation Retreat
*Wednesday, January 13, 6:30pm:  Parent Meeting  
*Wednesday, April 14, 6:30pm:  Parent Meeting  
*May 1 or May 2, Time TBD:  Parent/Child First Communion Final Preparation Retreat  
May 22 or 23 (Tentative Date):  First Communion Liturgies (& Rehearsal)

Questions?

Please contact: Mrs. Anne Miller, Coordinator of First Reconciliation and First Communion
​stmattsmiller@gmail.com / 518-765-2805
We Bring Your Love

Loving God,

Help us 
to focus on what we have,
not on what is removed or changed.

Strengthen us
when we feel discouraged
or overwhelmed.

Embrace us
so that us we know your loving presence
within us and among us.

Walk with us
as we bring your love,
and carry your light,
into our world.

Amen.
- Sandra Lucas, MDiv., BCC
A Coronavirus Prayer
Loving God,
Your desire is for our wholeness and well being.
We hold in tenderness and prayer the collective suffering of our world at this time.
We grieve precious lives lost and vulnerable lives threatened.
We ache for ourselves and our neighbors, standing before an uncertain future. 
We pray: may love, not fear, go viral. 
Inspire our leaders to discern and choose wisely, aligned with the common good.
Help us to practice social distancing and reveal to us new and creative ways to come together in spirit and in solidarity.
Call us to profound trust in your faithful presence,
You, the God who does not abandon.
-Sister Christine Koelhoffer, IHM

​View more Prayers during the Coronavirus Pandemic