QUICK LINKS: At-Home Discipleship and Session Recordings About First Reconciliation About First Communion Upload Baptismal Certificate
Our Sacrament Preparation program follows the Family Faith Formation model, which centers parents as the first and best teachers of the faith for their children. This model consists of family catechesis sessions about once a month to prepare and support families in at-home discipleship. Children preparing to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion (usually Grade 2) participate in the Family Faith Formation sessions with their families.
In addition, the children and parents participate in special monthly sacrament preparation sessions. These sessions are paired with at-home discipleship from the “Blessed” curriculum from Dynamic Catholic (learn more about the “Blessed” workbooks and videos below.) Children complete the at-home discipleship for the month with their families on their own schedule, in whatever space and time works best for you. Families can also gather with friends or relatives in small groups to work together. Most importantly, families continue the conversation throughout the month, baking the richness of our faith into the daily interactions of family life.
With only six in-person sacrament preparation sessions scheduled over the course of the year, we are hopeful that most families will be able to attend most sessions.
Please Note: All sessions are Family Sessions (children and parent/s together.) Children may not be “dropped off” without a parent or guardian.
2026-2027 Session Schedule
Sunday, November 8, 2026 10:15am at St. Paul: Introduction to the Sacrament Year
Sunday, December 13, 2026 10:15am at St. Paul: The Incarnation
Sunday, January 31, 2027 10:15am at St. John: Preparing Our Hearts
Sunday, February 28, 2027 9:00am at St. Paul: Teaching Mass
A “teaching Mass” is a regular Mass during which the priest pauses at key moments to provide explanations and insights into the prayers, liturgical actions, and symbolism. The Mass itself is our session for this month.
Sunday, March 14, 2027 10:15am at St. Paul: Preparing for First Reconciliation
Sunday, April 11, 2027 10:15am at St. Paul: Preparing for First Eucharist
Important Dates
First Reconciliation Service
Monday, March 15 5:00pm at St. John
First Communion Masses
In keeping with the Family Faith Formation model and the guidance of the Archdiocese of Boston, children receive their First Holy
Communion with their families at a Sunday Mass, the same way they will receive the sacrament throughout their lives. Groups of
First Communicants will receive the Sacrament at 9:00am Family Masses in the spring.
Sunday, May 2 9:00am Family Mass at St. John
Sunday, May 9 9:00am Family Mass at St. Paul
Sunday, May 16 9:00am Family Mass at St. John
Sunday, May 23 9:00am Family Mass at St. Paul
Record of Baptism
A record of baptism is required for all children preparing to receive sacraments. If your child was baptized at St. John the Evangelist Parish or St. Paul Parish, we have their baptismal records on file.
If your child was not baptized at St. John the Evangelist Parish or St. Paul Parish, you must submit a copy of their baptismal record to the Family Faith Formation office.
Use this form to upload a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate.
If you don’t have a copy of your child’s baptismal record, please contact the church where your child was baptized and request their baptismal record be sent directly to: Family Faith Formation – Baptismal Forms, St. John-St. Paul Collaborative, 39 Washington St. Wellesley, MA 02481
About the “Blessed” Curriculum from Dynamic Catholic
These are not mere textbooks or workbooks; they are masterpieces illustrated by an internationally acclaimed children’s book artist. The combination of incredible content and more than 250 hand-painted works of art captures children’s imagination and opens their eyes to God’s incredible dream for their lives.
We teamed up with an Emmy Award-winning animation studio to create the first-ever animated film series for sacramental preparation. Each of the episodes will engage your children’s sense of wonder and take them on an unforgettable adventure into the story of Jesus and the life-giving truths of his Church. -Dynamic Catholic
A First Reconciliation Workbook and First Communion Workbook will be provided for each child, and both are also available online.
An Unforgettable Adventure, a series of short animated videos that correspond to the sessions (or chapters) in the workbooks, are also available online. Each of these fun and engaging episodes range in length from 1 to 15 minutes, with most just 3-5 minutes.
The specific chapters and videos for each month are linked in the schedule on the At-Home Discipleship and Session Recordings page.