First Communion and First Reconciliation

First Reconciliation will be held at Our Lady, Star of the Sea at four (4) times:
Saturday December 11 at 11:30am 
Saturday December 11 at 1:00pm
Saturday, December 18 at 11:30am
Saturday, December 18 at 1:00pm
Please click the Blue Button below to choose a time and date for your child to take First Reconciliation. Only 10 spots are available per time slot, in order to maintain social distance. The Sacrament of First Reconciliation is a requirement in order for students to take their First Communion. If our available dates/times will not work for your child, please reach out to the Rectory by calling 781-631-0086 (M-Th, 9-3).

First Holy Communion will be held at Our Lady, Star of the Sea on
Saturday, May 7, 2022.  We will provide details regarding time(s) of First Communion and Rehearsals closer to springtime. Please know that opportunities will be provided for individuals who wish to socially distance. We will provide details regarding First Communion Rehearsals closer to Springtime. 

---

What is Reconciliation?

Reconciliation is the 2nd of 7 sacraments. The 1st is Baptism, and the 3rd is Communion. Sin is like carrying around a backpack all the time. Each time we sin, it is like adding another stone to the backpack. Sin weighs us down and makes it hard for us to feel good about ourselves. Carrying sin can make it hard to make good decisions and to be kind to others. To successfully do reconciliation, we must first reflect on your actions. We should ask: “What would Jesus like me to do?” Some examples of sin are lying, holding a grudge, or stealing. After we identify things we are doing wrong, we can then ask for forgiveness. Even though God knows what sins we have committed, He gives us free will, and a conscience, so when our conscience is heavy, He wants us to talk it over with him and ask Him for forgiveness. It is a very important part of holding ourselves accountable, because our private sin is public to God.
 
There are 5 parts to complete Reconciliation:
1 – Conscience  (Examine yours to identify your sins)
2 – Contrition    (You feel bad because you have done wrong)
3 – Confession    (Tell God or a Priest)
4 – Consequence    (What you  must do to make things right and be forgiven)
5 – Change    (Try to do better in the future. Remember to forgive others, because you know others are not perfect either)
 
How to Confess to a Priest
Plan in advance what you want to confess. It’s OK to write down what you need to say. After Confession, remember to go back to your seat, kneel, pray and reflect for a while.

What is First Communion?

Communion is the 3rd of 7 sacraments. The 1st is Baptism, and the 2nd is Reconciliation. First Communion is a sacred moment for our second-grade students. In celebrating the Sacrament First Eucharist (First Communion), our Communicants receive, for the first time, Jesus, in Holy Communion. They are sheep joining Jesus’ flock, in a new way. In preparation to meet Jesus in Holy Communion, our young Communicants ask Jesus’ forgiveness of their sins during their First Reconciliation. The cup of blessing that we share during Holy Communion makes us one in the very life of Jesus; the bread that we eat together in memory of Him is also a sharing in His life. There are many of us, yet we are one body because we all share the same wine and the same bread.​