2025-2026 Sacrament Preparation Classes and Events

First Reconciliation Prep Classes:

Option 1: In-person Classes

Attend in-person classes on Saturdays, March 21 and March 28th from 9:30-11:30.

Option 2: At-home, Book/Bible lessons & Formed Videos

At-home option using the same program that we use for the in-person classes - Go, Seek,

Find & Formed Videos

This program consists of 8 to 10 lessons and connects each lesson to the Bible. A

colorful children's Bible, as well as all the lessons, comes with the purchase of

this program (~$45). The child gets to keep the Bible after class. It also uses

stickers that the kids use to mark off the lessons they've completed. It should take

about 3 hours to get through the First Reconciliation lessons. The program also

consists of Formed Videos (Formed costs about ~10 per month, only 1 month is

necessary to watch the videos).

Parent Meeting/Information:

Information will be communicated through email in mid-March about the sacrament, close to the date of the sacrament prep classes. Parents can also ask questions after the in-person classes and anytime via email.

First Reconciliation Sacrament

Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, at 9 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament

First Eucharist Prep Classes:

Option 1: In-person Classes

Attend in-person classes on Saturdays, March 21 and March 28th from 9:30-11:30.

Option 2: At-home, Book/Bible lessons & Formed Videos

At-home option using the same program that we use for the in-person classes - Go, Seek,

Find & Formed Videos

This program consists of 8 to 10 lessons and connects each lesson to the Bible. A

colorful children's Bible, as well as all the lessons, comes with the purchase of

this program (~$45). The child gets to keep the Bible after class. It also uses

stickers that the kids use to mark off the lessons they've completed. It should take

about 3 hours to get through the First Reconciliation lessons. The program also

consists of Formed Videos (Formed costs about ~10 per month, only 1 month is

necessary to watch the videos).

Parent Meeting/Information:

Information is communicated through email about the sacrament in mid-March, close to the date of the classes. Parents can also ask questions after the in-person classes and anytime via email.

First Eucharist Sacrament

Rehearsal-  Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Louis

Sacrament- Sunday, May 10th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Louis (arrive by 10:40)

*All students should make the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) prior to making a sacrament. Confession is at St. Louis from 3:15-3:45 on Saturday, May 9th, or any Saturday before that

CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS

1.     Register by December 1st, 2025. To register, submit the following documents:

           a.  Confirmation Registration”  

           b.  Confirmation Name & Sponsor

           c.  A copy of all sacramental certificates (i.e., Baptism, First Reconciliation, & First Eucharist) if your child made the

                sacraments at a church other than a Family #22 Church

2.     Find a sponsor - a faith mentor to support, encourage, & pray with and for the candidate

            a.     Your sponsor needs to be a practicing Roman Catholic and be in good standing in his/her church. He or she 

                    must be a baptized and confirmed Catholic, as well as attend Mass regularly. Sponsors must submit a letter

                   from their parish stating this information.

           b.     Parents of confirmation candidates cannot serve as their child’s sponsor.

           c.     Family #22 parishioners serving as sponsors should contact the CRE to ensure eligibility.

           d.     Submit sponsor letters to CRE by January 1, 2026. 

3.     Attend Mass weekly

4.     Actively attend faith formation at school or at a Family #22 church. Children who do not receive religious education at school must attend Family #22 Faith Formation classes and maintain good attendance.

5.     Complete online sacrament prep class. Class information will be emailed to parents around mid-January so that the class can be completed on-line and at-home between February 1st and May 1st. Confirmation sacrament prep classes must be complete and paperwork must be submitted by May 1st.

6.     Attend Family #22 Confirmation Retreat

             a.      Date: Saturday, March 8,  2026

             b.     Time: 11:00 (Mass) & 12 to 5:00 (lunch provided)

             c.      Location: St. Louis Church Hall (basement)

7.     Complete service hours: 10 total community service hours, 4 of which need to be completed within the churches that make up family #22 Parish community (St. Louis, Blessed Sacrament).

              a.     Use the Confirmation Service Form to document hours (located on St. Louis website)

              b.     Obtain a signature from the site supervisor every time you volunteer

              c.     Hours must be completed & the Community Service form submitted no later than May 1, 2026.

*Volunteer opportunities at the churches are posted in the bulletin. Check the weekly bulletins and/or church websites for specific dates & times for these events.  Plan to have your 4 church volunteer hours completed by Easter (April 5th). We offer lots of volunteer opportunities in the fall, around Christmas, throughout winter, and at Easter; however, volunteer opportunities are usually not available after Easter.

**It is not possible to submit an individual’s name to the diocese for Confirmation without the service hour requirement completed by the required due date.

Spring 2026 Confirmation Mass:

The Confirmation Ceremony and Mass will be Sunday, May 24th, 2026, at 3 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Cathedral.

Submit completed forms and direct all inquiries to the CRE, Ashlee Campbell, via:

Mail: St Louis Church, Attn: Ashlee Campbell, 35 Edward Street, Buffalo, NY 14202-1505

Fax: 716.853.9225

Email: Religioused@stlouisrcchurch.org