Parents and Guardians of 2nd Graders,

My name is Elijah Bailey, and I am the Youth Faith Formation Director for St. Joseph’s Parish of Conway. I am beyond excited for your 2nd grader because they will have the joy of receiving two incredible sacraments this year that help sustain our faith and bring us forgiveness and life. This is a joyful time in your child’s life, and I can’t wait to celebrate alongside you as they receive their sacraments! Below you will find some important information regarding your child’s sacraments. Please read the letter carefully and in full, and if you have any further questions, feel free to call me anytime at (501)-513-6812 or email me at ebailey@sjparish.org.

Important Dates for Your Calendar:

1st Reconciliation:

St. Joseph’s 1st Reconciliation service will happen on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 starting at 5:30pm in the main church. Both the student and at least one parent needs to be in attendance. All 3 of our priests will be available to hear confessions. The service will end when the last confession is heard, but you are free to leave with your child as soon as your child finishes their 1st Reconciliation. I understand that this is a school night, so we hope to have all students home as soon as possible. Last year, we were able to finish in 1 ½ hours. The quicker they go to confession, the sooner they will be home. I would recommend that your child eats dinner or a heavy snack before coming to the service if possible.

All confessions will be heard face to face, so if your child is a bit nervous, we have found that warning them ahead of time seems to make everything run smoother. We will provide your child with a guide to help them through the Confession process, and please know that we will be teaching your student the steps of confession in Religion or Youth Faith Formation classes.

Due to a large number of 2nd grade students, only students will be allowed to go to confession. We encourage parents to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation as a model for their child, but we ask that they attend at any regularly scheduled confession time, before or after their child’s 1st Reconciliation. With this said, at least one parent needs to be in attendance for the entirety of the service. Please do not drop your child off at the church alone.

1st Communion Banner:

Upon leaving the 1st Reconciliation service, students will receive a banner kit for their 1st Communion. Banners need to be turned in to your child’s Religion teacher at St. Joseph’s school or their Youth Faith Formation catechist by Monday, January 13th. In other words, work with your child to make the banner over the Christmas holiday, and return it as soon as you get back to school in the New Year. These banners will line the pews of the church to celebrate each individual child on their 1st Communion Day. I hope you and your child have fun creating the banner in preparation of their next sacrament! Please note that if you misplace your child’s banner, you will be responsible for purchasing a new banner.

Parents often ask me how to create their child’s banner. As long as you use the provided blue background and rod, your child is allowed to get as creative with their banner as they would like to within reason. Please do not put anything flashy, distracting, or not relevant to 1st Communion on your child’s banner. For example, stay away from flashing lights, bells, excessive glitter, or stickers of animals or other unrelated things. Also, please consider using hot glue or another strong glue on your child’s banner, so the banner can stay intact until your child’s 1st Communion day. Here are a few examples of banners from last year that would be considered appropriate:

1st Communion Mass Day & Time:

1st Communion Mass will take place on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 at 4:00pm. Your child and one parent must be at the church no later than 3:00pm. Your child needs to be fully dressed and ready to go. We will start letting other family members into the church starting at 3:30pm.

1st Communion Dress Code Girls:

• White dresses only - knee length or longer. Tights are optional, but must be white or nude. Please make sure your daughter can walk and kneel in her dress. Some dresses are so big that they become a tripping hazard. Your daughter should be able to walk in her dress worry free.
• No spaghetti straps or strapless dresses.
• Short veils are optional, but highly encouraged. Simple hair decorations are allowed. Please no large tiaras.
• No athletic shoes, flip flops, or high heels. Simple white ballerina flats or small kitten heels are encouraged.
• No gloves are allowed to be worn during Mass. (The Precious Body may only come in contact with skin.)
• No rosary or other items need to be in your child’s hands when they are in line for Communion, so their hands are free to receive Jesus.

1st Communion Dress Code Boys:

• Simple black, navy, khaki, or white slacks only. Full suits are encouraged, but not required.
• Lightly colored shirts with collars must be worn.
• Please iron or steam your son’s shirt before Mass. We understand that it might get wrinkled on the trip to church, so just do your best.
• Boys must wear a tie or bowtie.
• Dress shoes and dress socks only. No athletic shoes, flip flops, or everyday/ work boots.
• No rosary or other items need to be in your child’s hands when they are in line for Communion, so their hands are free to receive Jesus.

1st Communion Photo:

More information concerning photos will come out at a later date closer to the end of April. Information will be sent via email concerning photos.

1st Communion Practice:

There will be a required 1st Communion practice on Thursday, May 1st, 2025 at 5:30pm in the main church. While your child will be practicing how to receive communion in their classrooms at St. Joseph school or Youth Faith Formation, we will be teaching students specific blocking and walking that will help them on their 1st Communion day. Your child will be confused on their 1st Communion day if they do not attend this practice, so please be sure to make this a priority.

1st Communion Mass:

Please note that your child will not sit with you during 1st Communion Mass. All children will sit in the front middle pews as a group, and parents will sit in the pews behind the students. Following Mass, students are encouraged to stop by the baptistry area. We will have cookies and gifts for all students. This should allow families who wish to have their own private celebrations for their child the opportunity to do so after Mass. We will also give every student their 1st Communion certificate at this time.

Mass typically runs from 4:00pm-5:30pm. Our church and church parking lot fills up very quickly on 1st Communion night. Please be patient and considerate of others.

1st Communion Mass Etiquette:

Please also keep in mind and remind all family members in attendance of proper Mass etiquette prior to your child’s 1st Communion day. This is a very holy moment, and we do not want to interrupt the sacredness of the moment. No parents or family members should be approaching the altar or their child to take photos during Mass. We understand the want to capture a photo of your child during their 1st Communion Mass, but we have photographers that will do that job for you. As parents, we want you to sit back, enjoy Mass, and put your phones and cameras to the side. With that said, you are welcome to take as many photos of your child as you would like before and after Mass.

Please also do not take your child out of Mass or leave Mass until after the recessional song. Plan your dinner reservations with enough time for you to not rush out of church.

1st Communion Godparents/Sponsors:

Please be aware that here at St. Joseph Catholic Church there are no godparents or sponsors for 1st Communion.

Baptismal Certificates:

If your child was not baptized here at St. Joseph, and they are not a student at St. Joseph’s school, we do not have their Baptismal certificate, and we need it in order for them to receive their next sacrament. Please email a scanned copy of their certificate to sacosta@sjparish.org or mail it to 1115 College Ave. Conway, AR 72032. You can also drop it off at the parish offices. No original certificates please. We only need a copy of it. All Baptismal Certificates are due by September 30, 2024.

Sacrament Registration:

On our parish website (sjparish.org), you will find a sacrament registration form to fill out. Please fill out this form by September 30, 2024, so we know that your child will be receiving both 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion. Failure to submit the form on time may result in your child’s name not being recognized on programs or extended time in receiving their certificates. If you are in need of assistance registering please reach out to Elijah Bailey at ebailey@sjparish.org or at (501)-513-6812.

Mass & Class Attendance:

It’s very important that your child attends Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation as they are preparing to receive a sacrament. It is also important that they do not have excessive absences during Religion classes at St. Joseph's School or during Youth Faith Formation classes, so our teachers and catechists can assist in properly preparing your child for their sacraments. Students enrolled in the Youth Faith Formation program are not allowed more than 3 unexcused absences during the 2024-25 school year. Students enrolled at St. Joseph School are not allowed more than 6 unexcused absences during religion lessons during the 2024-25 school year. We do keep up with your child’s attendance during class time to ensure that they are ready to receive their sacraments.

Prayers to Learn in 2nd Grade:

There are a few prayers that students need to be fluent in by the end of their 2nd grade year. Prayers are quickly learned when parents review prayers with their child at home. If you are unfamiliar with the following prayers, there are many resources online, or you are welcome to reach out to the parish offices, and we will happily provide you with copies of the prayers. Please work on memorizing the following prayers at home throughout the year:

• Sign of the Cross (Please make sure they are touching their left shoulder before their right shoulder. Sign of the Cross is always made with the right hand.)
• Act of Contrition (any version will work)
• Hail Mary
• Our Father
• Glory Be

Questions or Concerns:

If you have any questions or concerns about 1st Communion or 1st Reconciliation, please feel free to contact Elijah Bailey at (501)-513-6812 or via email at ebailey@sjparish.org anytime.

I look forward to seeing your child on their very special sacrament days! Please know that you are all in my prayers.

God Bless,

Elijah Bailey

Youth Faith Formation Director

ebailey@sjparish.org

501-513-6812