The short answer is if they have completed all their prep then no they do not have to redo it. HOWEVER: You do need to sign them up for a  first confession and/or first communion date and they might benefit from a brief refresher at your discretion. Please use the regular registration form - there is a space to indicate if preparation has been completed in part or in full.

Yes... but we are not taking attendance.  As Roman Catholics, we have a responsibility (or obligation) to attend Mass on Sundays (or the Sunday vigil on Saturday evenings).  We joyfully invite you to attend Mass with your children.  For your child to really understand the full scope of WHO they are receiving, and their own responsibility to offer worship on Sundays, it is of  huge benefit and importance to experience regular Sunday Mass as a family!  We also hope you will find a JOY-FILLED, PEACE CREATING, WELCOMING atmosphere at any of our parishes!  This may be the opportunity you've been looking for to really nourish the part of your soul longing for fulfilment that can only be found in Jesus! For a quick video on why Mass is an obligation and / or if you are struggling with the idea of regular attendance at Mass check out: Motivation to go to Mass? by Fr. Mike Schmitz or The Mass by Chris Stefanick. 

There is a process... As Catholics we recognize the validity Christian baptism by other denominations.  For a child to receive 1st Communion and eventually Confirmation in the Catholic Church (sacraments of initiation) a child with a non-Catholic baptism certainly does not need to be "rebaptised" but does need to make a profession of faith.  A profession of faith is a public profession of the acceptance of and becoming Roman Catholic.  If your desire is that your child should become Catholic - we most certainly can begin the process of reception into the Catholic Church which will take place during a simple rite during a regular Mass.  At least one parent should be of the Catholic Faith (baptised) and some additional instruction on the meaning "professing the faith" will be required.  Simply register for our first communion program and attach a copy of your child's baptismal certificate and we will contact you about next steps.

Children who are age 7 or older who have not yet been baptised go through a separate program called the RCIA adapted for Children.  This is a somewhat longer process.  Please check out this page - to enroll your child for Baptism, 1st Communion AND Confirmation as part of the full initiation process. They will make all their sacraments (including 1st Communion) at a separate special ceremony with other children going through the same formation process. You are not alone, and neither will they be.  Every year we welcome children to be baptised who were not baptised before age 7.

There are no limits on guests.  There are limits on reserved seating however.  Each family receives 1 pew reserved for their first communion candidate(s).  As many additional guests can fit in that pew are welcome to be seated there with the first communion candidate(s).  All additional guests may sit in any non reserved location first come first serve with the rest of the congregation.

The short answer is for those Churches with Apostolic succession and intercommunion with Rome yes. The longer answer is that we certainly encourage everyone to enjoy making a solemn or 1st communion in the Rite of their Baptism.  However, several families in our area would like their child to also participate in a solemn communion (since in most cases 1st communion was received at Baptism in our Sister Eastern Churches) with their classmates at from their local Catholic school.  We certainly welcome your participation in our formation and celebrations if that is your request and desire.  It may be important to seek advice from your own pastor / spiritual father as to the advisability of joining us for this celebration.

We are happy to make appropriate accomodations for children with special needs.  For those who are on the autistic spectrum and/or those who are non verbal we even have an alternate preparation with a sensory kit that we can loan you.  We are happy to also give your child some "practice hosts" that are not yet consecrated so they have the opportunity to taste and feel what communion will be like.  Katherine Marsh is also an Elementary certified teacher with the Ontario College of Teachers and would be happy to speak about personalized plans / accomodations based on your childs needs.  Simply give a call or email to Katherine Marsh at [email protected]

If that would make better sense for your child and your family absolutely. The weird and wonderful thing that the experience of the pandemic taught us is that it is more important to focus on your child's readiness to receive the sacraments than the one sized fits all approach.  While the majority of those who prepare are in grade 2 we still regularily have a good number of children in grades 3 and above who join us at the altar of the Lord for the first time.

We no longer have any mandated protocols for Covid or other illnesses at this time.  Some families still prefer to wear masks in large groups and you are most welcome to do so.  There is no requirement for anyone to take additional precautions.  However if you or your child fall ill and especially if Covid is suspected, please simply let Katherine, coordinator of 1st Confession/ 1st Communion know you cannot attend due to illness and an alternative means for preparation and/or celebration of the sacraments will be scheduled.