Our Lady of Fatima Parish

Father Chris Gernetzke - Administrator
[email protected]
608-561-7234

Sarah Breuer - Director of Faith Formation
[email protected]
608-776-4059

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."  - John 6:51
 

Jesus gives himself to us in the Eucharist as spiritual nourishment because he loves us. By eating the Body and drinking the Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, we become united to the person of Christ through his humanity. "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him" (Jn 6:56). In being united to the humanity of Christ, we are at the same time united to his divinity. Our mortal and corruptible natures are transformed by being joined to the source of life. - USCCB
 

Reception of the Sacraments

What a joy when a child is ready to prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation/Confession and First Holy
Communion! Being forgiven of our sins in Reconciliation and receiving the most Precious Body and Blood of our
Lord in the Holy Eucharist are great gifts given to us by Jesus and entrusted to the Church. In addition to being at least seven years old by the date of First Holy Communion (Sunday, May 5th, 2024), those seeking the Sacrament of First Reconciliation must:
    - be a baptized Catholic,  - have attained the use of reason,  - have contrition for sin, 
                       - have a firm resolution to sin no more,  - and be suitably instructed and properly disposed.

Furthermore, those seeking First Holy Communion must:
    - be a baptized Catholic,  - have made a prior confession,  - have attained the use of reason, 
                    - be in a state of grace,  - be suitably instructed and properly disposed*, 
    - and have abstained from food or drink for at least one hour prior to reception.

*In order to be considered as suitably instructed and properly disposed, children must “understand the
mystery of Christ according to their capacity and be able to receive the body of Christ with faith and
devotion.”

When ready, the preparation for these sacraments is also a wonderful opportunity for parents to likewise grow
deeper in their faith as they have the chance to experience the journey along with their children. The Diocese of
Madison recognizes this unique opportunity by including parent involvement in the requirements for First
Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. It is certainly true that no matter where we are in our faith, there is
always room to grow, especially through the lens of leading our children in the faith. Additionally, growing in
community with other parents and families can add so much to our faith and to this preparation experience. Even more, it is a journey that invites the child and parents to the love, grace, and mercy that Jesus is waiting to pour out upon each of us. It is truly a joyful time full of potential!
On that note, First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion sacramental preparation for the 2023-24 school year will be a program for all families in our parish, in the Faith Formation Program, in Catholic School,
and those who homeschool. These will be the required additional sessions outside of the normal family faith
formation schedule and/or school day. One or both parents are expected to attend these sessions with their child. These sacramental prep sessions will be held approximately once per month in the Holy Rosary Church Basement (please see full schedule).

Parents will meet at the same time as their children, but they will have sessions geared specifically for adults. We are excited to be using the “Signs of Grace” curriculum from the Augustine Institute for the children’s program, and parents will be using the “Forgiven” and “Presence” adult faith formation series, also from the Augustine Intitute.


Registration
Parents of children who are ready to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Communion can register for sacramental preparation formation in the following form.

First Holy Communion Schedule