Sacraments

Reconciliation and Eucharist

"Then the children were brought to Him that He might lay His hands on them and pray." Matthew 19:13

In the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, also called confession, we meet the Lord, who wants to grant forgiveness and the grace to live a renewed life in him. In this sacrament, he prepares us to receive him free from serious sin, with a lively faith, earnest hope, and sacri- ficial love in the Eucharist. The Church sees confession as so important that she requires that every Catholic go at least once a year.1 The Church also encourages fre- quent confession in order to grow closer to Christ Jesus and his Body, the Church. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, we seek forgiveness and repentance, let go of patterns of sin, grow in the life of virtue, and witness to a joyful conversion.

Source: usccb.org

 

Sacrament of Reconciliation Icon at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Riverside

We are glad to assist your family in receiving your Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. You may fill out the registration online and submit the requirements in an envelope with the name of the registrant. You may also print the form and drop it off at the office together with the requirements. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the coordinator.

This information is for children 17 and younger who are already baptized. Please visit the page for RCIA-AC for children 7 years and older and RCIA for 17 years and older for information regarding the Sacrament of Baptism for these age groups. You may also visit our Faith Formation page for information regarding ongoing Faith Formation for those who already received their Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. If you want your child/children to prepare for the Sacraments in Spanish, visit our Spanish page.

Coordinator of Catechesis: Dana Robles –Email  | Phone: 951 689-1131 ext. 240

Registration Process

  • Fill out the Faith Formation – Registration Form 2022-2023 of ask an usher at the end of Mass on Sundays for a copy.
  • You may either upload through our Forms page your completed registration form or print and drop off through the parish office mail slot.
  • The Faith Formation office will contact you via email with details regarding the parents’ meeting.
  • You will receive the program materials and calendar at the parents’ meeting.

Requirements

  • Child must be baptized in the Catholic faith.  If your child is NOT baptized or is baptized in another faith tradition see the RCIA-AC page .
  • Preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist is a two year process.  Your child can begin in any grade, 1st through 12th. During this time of COVID-19 restrictions, all faith formation materials will be distributed at the parent meeting and completed at your own pace in your home. 
  • A parent meeting will be held at the beginning of each year. 
  • All correspondence will be done via the “Remind” text app.  You will receive a text invite and once you have accepted the invitation, you will start receiving text messages from the Faith Formation office. 
  • Children in the 2nd year of sacrament preparation will attend a half day retreat with one parent or guardian.
  • Children in the 2nd year of sacrament preparation will receive a packet with six lessons on Reconciliation and six lessons on Eucharist.  These lessons are to be completed at home with parent or family involvement.

Please click on the following links to learn more about the Sacraments:

USCCB on Sacraments and Sacramentals

SACRAMENTS ON INITIATION: Baptism | Confirmation | Eucharist

SACRAMENTS OF HEALING: Penance and Reconciliation  |  Anointing of the Sick

SACRAMENTS OF SERVICE:  Matrimony  |  Holy Orders

Photo of the Holy Eucharist