Faith First at HNOJ - FAQ

When is the deadline for registration?

Aug 27, 2025

When does the Faith First program take place?

Between Mid-September to the end of May.

Can you explain how the program works?

The name of our catechism & sacrament preparation program (Confirmation, Communion, Confession) is Faith First. The Faith First program prepares your child & family to receive the sacraments of First Holy Communion & Confirmation. We form a partnership with parents to guide & accompany their children in the Catholic faith.

There are 3 main parts to the program

1. Attending Scheduled Sessions
2. Building the at-home church
3. Attending Mass as a community

1. Attending sessions

• Each group has at least 1-2 sessions to attend each month.
• Depending on the age group that you are registered for, sessions will take place on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings or afternoons.

Friday Nights: 

Friday nights are typically community events held once a month, which we call Youth Nights.

Saturday sessions:  

• Pre-Communion year & Communion Year meet on Saturday mornings
• Pre-Confirmation & Confirmation Year meet on Saturday afternoons

2.  Building the at-home church

Part 1: Incorporating daily prayer

At home, you will be asked to complete different activities & implement faith on a regular basis.

• We encourage you to implement a family prayer before a common meal, prayers in the morning or in the evening. The idea is to create a sense of gratitude and an opportunity to think of those in need.

Part 2: Learning at home

• We do not use a workbook. We invite families to learn through different at-home activities. We call these activities Diving Deeper.
• Diving Deeper Activity packages will be given out during the year and will be found on the parish website.
• The activities are then submitted back to us online.
• Usually, there are 1-2 activities in a month to complete.

3. Attending Mass as a community

As Catholics, we are called to journey together in community to come together to receive Holy Communion at Mass.

We offer Sunday Mass at HNOJ on:

• Saturday at 5:00 PM
• Sunday at 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM

The Mass provides an opportunity to slow down, reflect, pray & give thanks for the good things that happened the past week.

What is the cost of enrolling in Faith First?

• $150 for one child, $90 for a second child, $60 for a third child.
• The fee covers the purchase of software, materials like the Sunday missal, activity sheets, staffing, etc.
• If you are in need of financial assistance, please contact Kevin at faithfirst@hnoj.ca 

Is the program online or in person?

We will be running a Hybrid program. This means parts of the program will take place online via Zoom. However, the majority of our sessions will take place in person at the church.

What if we miss a session?

The full dynamic experience of what we are offering cannot be replicated if a session is missed.

We understand that sickness and family commitments are part of our reality. We offer opportunities for young people to make up for the session missed by providing worksheets to complete at home, accompanied by an adult.

Do we need to attend Mass every weekend?

An important part of being Catholic is attending Sunday Mass and receiving Communion. By participating each week, you offer your family the gift of the full experience and the richness of our faith.

We incorporate special Mass celebrations throughout the year where we will have the Faith First children and families participate in key roles during the Mass such as reading prayers, helping to take the collection, participating in the children's choir, etc.

Is registration online? Can I pay online?

Yes, registration is online and you can complete your payment online. You will be able to pay the registration fee towards the end of completing the registration form.

Do I need a PayPal account to pay?

No, you do not need a PayPal account. There is an option that allows you to pay as a guest.

Please note registration is final only when payment is received.

Which group do I register my child for?

Do you fall into one of the following:

• It is your first time signing up for Faith First;
• You were not active last year in the Faith First program;
• You are joining our parish after completing catechism at another parish.

If any of the above conditions pertain to you, we strongly encourage you to contact our Faith First team so we can assess what group your child will be placed in this upcoming year.

Group placement is based on age & completing the necessary steps in their faith formation.

Pre-communion groups: Nazareth & Bethlehem

Communion Year group: Emmaus

Pre- Confirmation groups: Galilee & Jerusalem

Confirmation year group:  Upper Room

How do I receive First Communion?

Your child needs to complete at least 2 consecutive years in the Faith First program to receive Holy Communion and be of the appropriate age. Please contact Kevin at faithfirst@hnoj.ca for more information.

Example:

Your child enters Faith First this year.

Year 1 2025-2026:  They enter Bethlehem

Year 2 2026-2027:  They enter Emmaus. This is a Communion group. This means in May 2027 they would be eligible to receive First Holy Communion.

How do I receive Confirmation?

Please contact Kevin at faithfirst@hnoj.ca for more information.

What happens if my child has a learning disability?

At Holy Name of Jesus, all are welcome. We adapt our program to the needs of our families to the best of our abilities. Please contact Kevin at faithfirst@hnoj.ca for more information.

Where can I find my child’s baptism certificate?

You can acquire the baptismal certificate from the church where your child was baptized. Please note the process can take a couple of weeks.

When do sacraments usually take place (Communion & Confirmation)?

In the past few years, the sacraments of Holy Communion & Confirmation have usually taken place during the spring.

What is the commitment from parents?

• Parents are the primary and first catechists; our goal is to work together in accompanying your child on their faith journey.
• Parents are called to be present at key moments during the sessions. An example is being present for prayer moments at the beginning and end of our session.
• An adult will need to assist with the at-home Diving Deeper activities and encourage moments of prayer at home.
• Attend parent meetings and be present for family sessions when indicated.

I have a child previously active in another catechism program at another church. How can I join?

We need to receive an email from the previous church which confirms the level that they completed in catechism before entering them into a group. Additional certificates stating they have completed any one of these sacraments are necessary as well (Baptism, First Confession & First Communion).

What if my child is older than the usual age for Communion or Confirmation?

Everyone is welcome to receive the sacraments. Please contact Kevin at faithfirst@hnoj.ca for more information.