Sacramental Preparation
Desire to Prepare for a Sacrament?
Please consult our guidelines for:
- Infant Baptism (up to age 7)
- Preparation for Children/Youth (First Sacraments) (see below)
- Preparation for Youth (Confirmation)
- Preparation for Adults (OCIA)
First Sacraments
In the Diocese of Richmond, First Reconciliation is usually made and Holy Communion is usually received in 2nd Grade (around age 7). At STA, this means First Reconciliation is scheduled in early December and First Communion in early May. Please read the guidelines that are applicable to your family:
- 2nd Grade, registered in Parish Classes
- 2nd Grade, homeschooled
- 2nd Grade at Charlottesville Catholic School
- Older than 2nd grade in any category
PARISH CLASSES (held Sundays, 10:15-11:15am)
Students enrolled in our second grade RE class are assumed to be preparing for First Sacraments as well. The fall semester focuses on the sacrament of Reconciliation, while the spring looks more closely at the Eucharist. For students older than 2nd grade, please see the information below.
Requirements:
- registration in the parish
- registration in RE (Elementary Ed & First Sacraments Preparation)
- submission of AN OFFICIAL AND RECENTLY ISSUED BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE. This can be obtained by contacting your child’s baptismal parish, and can be sent directly to St. Thomas Aquinas (Attn: Caroline Golomb, 401 Alderman Road, Charlottesville, VA, 22903).
HOMESCHOOLED STUDENTS
Students are welcome to prepare through homeschooling methods, but there are still requirements to be fulfilled at the parish (e.g. retreat day, meeting with CRE). Please contact the CRE if you would like to receive the second grade texts we use in class.
Requirements:
- registration in the parish
- registration in RE (“First Sacraments: Homeschool”)
- participation in all mandatory First Sacraments events
- submission of AN OFFICIAL AND RECENTLY ISSUED BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE. This can be obtained by contacting your child’s baptismal parish, and can be sent directly to St. Thomas Aquinas (Attn: Caroline Golomb, 401 Alderman Road, Charlottesville, VA, 22903).
- meeting with pastor or his delegate before First Communion
CHARLOTTESVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS
Though some preparation will occur at school for 2nd grade CCS students, there are still some parish requirements to be met as well (e.g. retreat day, meeting with CRE). Please register early so we can be aware that your child is intending to receive the sacraments with this year’s cohort.
Requirements:
- registration in the parish
- registration in RE (First Sacraments: Catholic School)
- participation in all mandatory First Sacraments events
- submission of AN OFFICIAL AND RECENTLY ISSUED BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE. This can be obtained by contacting your child’s baptismal parish, and can be sent directly to St. Thomas Aquinas (Attn: Caroline Golomb, 401 Alderman Road, Charlottesville, VA, 22903).
CHILDREN OLDER THAN 2ND GRADE WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED FIRST SACRAMENTS
If your child is older than 2nd grade and preparing for First Sacraments this year, he or she should also enroll in the grade-level RE class or homeschool program that best fits. These students still attend our First Sacraments events, like the retreat day and meetings with the CRE.
Requirements:
- registration in the parish
- registration in RE (“First Sacraments: Older than 2nd Grade”)
- participation in all mandatory First Sacraments events
- submission of AN OFFICIAL AND RECENTLY ISSUED BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE. This can be obtained by contacting your child’s baptismal parish, and can be sent directly to St. Thomas Aquinas (Attn: Caroline Golomb, 401 Alderman Road, Charlottesville, VA, 22903).
- meeting with pastor or his delegate before First Communion.
