DATE OF FIRST RECONCILIATION:
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 4:30 pm in St. Rose of Lima Church
The children will meet in Church. Families are welcomed.
DATE OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION:
Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 11 am Mass at St. Virgilius
Each family will be assigned to a Bench (marked with the Child’s Banner). Children will sit together. Open Seating in the rest of the Church. First Holy Communion Children (ONLY) will assemble one half hour before Mass.
CHILDREN’S PRACTICES: There will be NO special practices for First Holy Communion or First Reconciliation. Children in our Religious Education Program will practice during regular CCD times. There are no “retreat days”.
CHURCH OF CELEBRATION: The Diocesan norm states that children should receive sacraments in the Church where they regularly attend Mass on Sundays. Parents whose children attend a Catholic Academy are asked to indicate by September 30, 2024 where their child will receive First Holy Communion/First Penance.
BAPTISM CERTIFICATE: A copy of the Child’s Baptism Certificate must be on file with our Religious Education Program,.
FAMILY INTERVIEWS: Each family who has a child preparing for First Holy Communion will be asked to have an interview with Mrs. Brancato, Fr. Daniel or Fr. Rodriguez.
CHIARELLI’S RELIGIOUS STORE: Communion items may be purchased at 1014 Jericho Turnpike., New Hyde Park, NY 11040 516-233-2994. We will not sell.
COMMUNION DRESS: BOYS: Whatever you decide is fine with me with the following directions:
Regular Church Dress is appropriate. Boys may wear White, Blue or whatever color you decide. Boys may wear a suit, sports’ jacket or sweater. PLEASE no printed shirts, pullovers, etc. Dress Shirt (any Color) and Tie (Any Color and style) are required. Arm Bow is optional. Shoes (No sneakers, sandals or boots) and socks are required. Please NOTHING in the hands – no prayer books, rosaries, medals, etc.
COMMUNION DRESS: GIRLS: Whatever you decide is fine with me with the following directions:
Dress (White or any color) must be knee length and longer – suggest NO gowns please. Veils are optional – You might want to place flowers in your daughter’s hair. Shoes (No heels) and Socks, please. No sneakers or boots. No Make-Up PLEASE! If your daughter has a sweater or shawl, it must be able to stay on her for the entire Mass. Please NOTHING in the hands – no flowers, handbags, rosaries, candles, medals, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: First Holy Communion Children will be invited to wear their Communion outfits to Sunday Masses after they receive Holy Communion. They will be invited to wear them to the May Crowning. Children who receive First Holy Communion in their “home parish” are invited to wear their Communion Outfits, when they attend SUNDAY Mass either at St. Camillus or St. Virgilius.
PHOTOGRAPHS: People will not be permitted to roam around the Church during Mass. Flash Photography from your seat will be permitted. A special section will be designated for Video cameras without lights. NO professional photographers are permitted. You will be permitted to take pictures in Church after Mass.
PROXIMATE PREPARATION PROGRAM: The Diocese mandates Family Sunday Sessions in preparation for First Holy Communion & First Reconciliation. These are required.
The dates will be:
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 5 pm in St. Rose of Lima Church.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 5 pm in St. Rose of Lima Church.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 5 pm in St. Rose of Lima Church.
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 5 pm in St. Rose of Lima Church
COMMUNION DONATION: $75.00 per FAMILY. Envelopes will be distributed at the Parents’ Meeting and can be returned in the Sunday Collection at either St. Camillus or St. Virgilius Church before March 12, 2025.
FOOD FOR OUR PANTRY: Each child will be asked to bring ONE can of food on the day of First Holy Communion, which will be included in the Offertory Procession of Mass.
CLASS ATTENDANCE: CCD CHILDREN: It is mandatory that your child continue to attend class. There are NO excused absences. After Three (3) absences, Fr. Rodriguez may decide to delay the First Holy Communion until NEXT YEAR.
SUNDAY MASS ATTENDANCE: ALL students who are preparing to receive First Holy Communion at St. Camillus-St. Virgilius are expected to regularly attend Mass on Sundays. Students from St. Camillus – St. Virgilius parish should attend Mass at St. Camillus Church, Rockaway Park or St. Virgilius Church, Broad Channel. It is understood that families may occasionally attend Sunday Mass at another Catholic Church (for example: travel, Weddings, Special Celebration). Such occasions will not be regular; and, therefore do not cause any difficulties. It is the Diocesan policy that children receive Sacraments at the Church where they regularly attend Sunday Mass. Children will receive Church Envelopes which they are to return in the Offertory Collection personally. .
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE: . Students who are not regularly attending Sunday Mass will not be allowed to receive First Holy Communion. It is the responsibility of the parents of the First Holy Communion children to arrange for their child to attend Sunday Mass. Parents who can not arrange to bring their child to Sunday Mass will be told to delay First Holy Communion until the child is old enough to come to Mass alone. The final decision to delay First Holy Communion will be made by the Fr. Rodriguez who will inform the parents one month before the date of First Holy Communion.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL MRS. JO'ANNE BRANCATO AT 718-634-8229.
