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Sacramental Preparation Program

- First Reconciliation and First Communion
  
  The Diocese of Richmond and Saint Bede Catholic Church welcomes families seeking First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion for their baptized children. This will be a special year for you and your child as they learn about the Mass and prepare for the sacraments. Seeing the Mass and the sacraments anew through the eyes of a child can be a meaningful and spiritual experience for the whole family.
  
  Per the Diocese of Richmond, parents/guardians and the parish collaborate in preparing children to receive the sacraments through a combination of parent-led home learning, and a limited number of parish-based, catechist-led sessions and retreat day for children. Children should also participate regularly with their families in the Sunday Mass.
  
  Once you have registered your child through the ON-LINE enrollment from our Saint Bede website, you will receive a letter from the office, explaining the program and a link to choose the dates to attend that work best for your family.
  All children in the Sacramental Preparation program that were NOT baptized at St. Bede Catholic Church or at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham (Williamsburg), will need to either bring their children’s certificates to the September or October preparation session or drop off the certificates at the Saint Bede Parish Office, M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. You may also bring them to the September or October Sacramental Preparation sessions. The deadline to receive Baptismal certificates is October 31.
Sacramental Preparation is two parts
- 1. Parent-led learning (home based component):
  Parents/guardians attend an orientation meeting in September, with a member of our clergy, to receive information on the preparation program, session schedules, guidance as to how we as a church can assist you through this year and receive their child's book. This meeting will help parents deepen their understanding of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and prepare them for their role in the home-based component of the Sacramental Preparation program.
- 2. In person Catechist-led sessions:
  Children preparing to receive the sacraments will attend a total of eight catechist-led sessions to prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. There are four sessions for each sacrament, one evening session per month from September - April. The children's catechist-led sessions for the children are designed to reinforce and supplement what the children are learning at home with their first catechists, their parents. The children learn to encounter Jesus the Good Shepherd, in a very personal way, through understanding the Word of God in a classroom setting and in the Atrium - a special environment used in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Two groups are offered on at least three different evenings of the month, to help accommodate busy family schedules. While the children are participating in their sessions, the parents/guardians meet with our Director of Evangelization, to learn and discuss topics, and meditate on scripture while forming a supportive community.
- 3. Is my child ready for Sacramental Preparation?
  Children 7-17, have been Baptized (must be age seven by September 30, 2021)
  
  Baptized children 7-8 years of age are in age-appropriate sessions.
  
  Baptized children between 9 and 17 years of age are in age-appropriate sessions, on a specific evening of the Sacramental Preparation week. Their evening sessions are chosen based on the catechists' availability.
  
  Enrolled ON-LINE in either: our current Children's Faith Formation program OR enrolled in an approved homeschool/family faith formation program OR attend a local Catholic school that provides weekly Catholic faith formation. There is no cost for the CFF program for the 2020-2021 school year
  
  Copy of children's Baptismal Certificate:
  
  If your child was not baptized at Saint Bede parish or the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham (Williamsburg), you need to obtain a new baptismal certificate with the church seal from your child's church of baptism, or from the Military Archdiocese ("keepsake" certificates will not meet our requirements). Submit Baptismal certificates with the enrollment form and fee.
  
  Enrolled ON-LINE in our Sacramental Preparation Program. You enroll for this at the same time you enroll for the CFF program.
- Unbaptized and over the age of seven
  If your child is at least seven years of age but has NOT received the Sacrament of Baptism, contact Michelle Tomshack at (757) 229-3631 ext. 2309 or mtomshack@bedeva.org for more information.