The Sacrament Preparation for First Communion and First Reconciliation is guided by the Spirit and Light Collaborative of the Oak Park Parishes of "Ascension and St. Edmund" and "Saint Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles".

We are united with Jesus in a unique way in the Sacrament of First Communion. First Communion is a joyful step in your journey of faith! First Communion preparation supports the candidates and families as they deepen their relationship with Jesus, guides them towards an understanding of what happens during Mass, and prepares them to participate more fully in the faith life of their parish.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a gift of healing, so nothing holds us back from experiencing union with Christ through Eucharist. Your child will prepare for and experience their First Reconciliation as part of the First Communion Program.

Most children are ready to celebrate their First Communion in the spring of their second-grade year. Children preparing to celebrate First Communion in second grade most often begin their formation at the start of their first-grade year through their religious education program or religion curriculum in their parish school. Then, in their second year of preparation, children enrolled in religious education and the parish schools prepare more intensely for the Sacrament. If a child is ready for celebration of the sacraments after their second-grade year, we will work with each family to determine the best preparation process.

During the year of specific preparation for First Communion, each family will experience:

• First Communion and Reconciliation Retreats - These retreats are a time of activities and reflection about the sacraments, experienced by parents and children together.
• Specific Activities at Home - As the primary catechists of their children, parents are invited to play an active role in their child's formation by completing in-home activities with their child, which deepens both the parents' and the child's understanding of the Eucharist and the Mass.
• Sessions exploring the Mass - These sessions dive into the different activities we do at Mass, exploring them and allowing the children to experience the materials and environments of the Mass in a special way.
• Special Group Activities Exploring the Eucharist - Gold Book Together Sessions and Bread Baking Retreat

Each family may register for First Communion and First Reconciliation preparation at either Ascension and St. Edmund Parish, St Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St Giles Parish, or the Family Mass Community. There will also be an opportunity to choose which church your family prefers to celebrate the Sacrament.

Spirit and Light is reaching out to families with children who are of an older age and school grade (4th - 8th) and would like to begin the process of preparing for First Communion and Reconciliation.

My name is Rachel Faulman, and I will be working with children who wish to prepare for these Sacraments this year. I am a member of the Spirit and Light Team, serving as a catechist and coordinator for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at the St. Giles Campus, and also as a coordinator for Sacrament Preparation at both parishes in our wider faith community.

Please take a moment to consider if your child is ready to prepare to celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion this year. If this is your child’s first year in a Religious Education program, you may have been told that it is advisable or even required to wait until your child is in their second year of a formation program to begin the process of celebrating a Sacrament. While this is indeed a requirement of the Archdiocese, I recognize that there are many factors for families seeking for their child to receive a Sacrament. I am happy to schedule a call with you to discuss your family’s situation and your child’s needs, and I am willing to work with you as you best determine how to meet those needs.

Sacrament Preparation for Older Children will take place in the Fall of 2026 with Monday evening sessions at the St. Giles Campus, and again in the Winter of 2027, with Monday afternoon sessions at the Ascension Campus. Children from any of the churches in our wider community may attend the sessions at either location to participate in Sacrament Preparation. There are a total of six sessions required for preparation: three sessions prior to the making of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and then three sessions prior to celebrating the Sacrament of First Communion.

Please note that these preparation sessions are in addition to your child’s participation in a Spirit and Light Religious Education program or enrollment in one our parishes’ Catholic schools. If your child is not registered for a Religious Education program or enrolled in one of the parishes’ schools, please let me know.

There will be a Parent Meeting prior to the start of the Fall sessions on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 6:00 PM, at McDonough Hall on the St. Giles Campus, 1101 Columbian Avenue. A second Parent Meeting will be prior to the start of the Winter sessions, and held on Thursday, February 11, 2027, at 7:00 PM at the Ascension Parish Center, 808 S. East Avenue. Registration will open for eligible families after their attendance at one of the Parent Meetings. There is a Sacrament Preparation Fee of $90 that is payable upon registration.

I welcome your questions prior to your attendance at one of the Parent Meetings. You may reach me at [email protected].

In the peace of our Christ,
Rachel Faulman

---

Fall Sessions on Monday evenings from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the St. Giles Parish Center, 1025 Columbian Avenue

• October 19, 2026 - Session #1
• October 26, 2026 - Session #2
• November 2, 2026 - Session #3
• Sacrament of Reconciliation - TBD
• November 16, 2026 - Session #4
• November 30, 2026 - Session #5
• December 7, 2026 - Session #6
• Sacrament of First Communion - TBD

---

Winter Sessions on Monday afternoons from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM at the Ascension Parish Center, 808 S. East Avenue

• February 22, 2027 - Session #1
• March 8, 2027 - Session #2
• March 15, 2027 - Session #3
• Sacrament of Reconciliation - TBD
• April 5, 2027 - Session #4
• April 12, 2027 - Session #5
• April 19, 2027 - Session #6
• Sacrament of First Communion - TBD