FIRST EUCHARIST:

St. Raphael begins formation to celebrate the Sacrament of First Eucharist in January of the 2^nd grade year.  Children focus on belonging, listening to God’s Word, giving thanks, remembering, celebrating and living what we believe.  Parents are furnished with materials to assist them in teaching, discussing, and reinforcing what is being taught in class.  Special prayer, educational, and community experiences are part of the formation.  A morning retreat is offered to families as part of the formation process.

    In all our Sacramental formation, parents, families, Catechists, and parish community, work together to bring children to an understanding of how and why we celebrate sacraments.  These special encounters with Jesus, touch the children in a deeply spiritual way.  They in turn show us the hope and joy with which we should approach our Lord in the Sacraments.  We learn from each other.

The parish community supports all our efforts through their prayer and example.

    First Eucharist celebrations traditionally take place on a weekend within the Easter Season.

    If your child is older, Baptized, but has not been prepared to celebrate First Eucharist, contact the Religious Formation office at 734-425-5550.

FIRST RECONCILIATION:

The Archdiocese of Detroit requires that children be prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation BEFORE they are prepared for the Sacrament of Eucharist. 

    At St. Raphael we begin formation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the fall of the 2^nd grade year.  Parents are furnished with materials to work with their children at home.  Catechists focus on the same topics in the classroom, using different materials and formats.  This approach allows the children and their families to be immersed in the process of reconciliation.  The children participate in education, prayer and communal experiences.  A morning retreat is offered to families before the celebration of the Sacrament.  Parents reinforce and support what the Catechists do in the classroom and the classroom experiences support what is being taught at home.

The Sacrament of First Reconciliation is celebrated in the later part of November.

If your child is older, has been Baptized, but has missed out on formation for this Sacrament, contact the Religious Formation Office at 734-425-5550.