St. Thomas More Parish School of Religion
800 Ohio Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45245
513-753-2548

Dear Parents,

This coming year is indeed a special year…a holy year for you, for your children and for our parish community. This year we journey together in faith as we help prepare our children to celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Although we tend to focus on the needs of the children, it is important to realize that this time of preparation presents all of us—parents, catechists, parish staff, and other members of our faith community—with wonderful opportunities to deepen our own faith and our understanding of the sacraments.

Through the sacraments we remember and celebrate the central dimensions of the Christian life and grow in our awareness of God’s loving presence in our lives. Sacraments are events that involve the entire community in ways that make clear for us our common relationship in Christ. Sacraments hold such deep meaning for us because they are rooted in and flow from our everyday experiences of belonging, sharing, loving and forgiving. Make this period of sacramental formation a special time for your family to become more aware of God’s presence in your lives.

We have many special events planned for our preparation this year. In order for your child to receive the best preparation possible, she/he and at least one parent is required to attend each gathering. Each meeting takes place or at least begins in the parish dining hall except for sacramental celebrations which occur in the church. So be sure to record the following dates in your calendars, personal planners or PDA’s:

• October 22 First Reconciliation Gathering #1 7-8:30pm
• November 19 First Reconciliation Gathering #2 7-8:30pm
• December 3 First Reconciliation Celebration 7-9pm
• February 25 First Communion Preparation 7-8:30pm
• April 24 First Communion Jesus Day Retreat 8:30am-2:30pm
• May 6 May Crowning/ First Communion Photos TBA
• May 13 First Communion Rehearsals and Ice Cream Social 6-8pm
• May 16 First Communion Celebrations 10 and 12 Masses
  

We look forward to being with you on this awesome journey to God.


Yours in Christ,


Becky Ready & Linda Bader
Director of Religious Formation & DRE Assistant