Sacramental Preparation for Children

First Communion.

St. Basil's prepares children for their First Reconciliation and First Communion between January and May each year. For 2024, Reconciliation and First Communion Preparation begins at the end of January on Sunday mornings for all children who are grade 2 and above, to prepare for the celebration of First Communion this May. The program will involve community gatherings for all children, as well as materials to work on as a family at home. Our hope is to empower each family and each child in their relationship with God. 

The community gatherings will take place at the parish on Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., as follows: January 28, February 11, February 25,  April 7 and April 21. Families are encouraged to attend the 10:30 a.m. Mass together after the sessions. Especially when we are not gathered together as a group, families will be assigned material to cover at home to prepare children for their sacraments. 

The cost of materials (including workbooks) for our participants is $75/child. We do not want cost to be a barrier for any family, and financial assistance is available.

Please also note these dates for the celebration of the Sacraments:

  • Sacrament of Reconciliation:  Monday, February 26, celebrated in the evening

  • Celebration of First Eucharist: Sunday, May 7, celebrated at the 10:30 a.m. Mass

Please use this form to register your children for sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and First Eucharist: https://forms.office.com/r/y1gSH9vbt5

Questions? Please contact Director of Faith Formation, JoAnn Lopez at: joann.lopez@utoronto.ca

Confirmation.

We are unfortunately not able to offer a program for preparation for teen Confirmation this year, but will do so in the following year. If you would like to express interest in Confirmation in the future for a child grade 7 and above, please contact JoAnn Lopez or the parish office. office@stbasiltoronto.org.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a Montessori-based approach to the religious education of children, which offers children the most essential aspects of our faith, trusting this will nurture their capacity to enjoy God's loving presence in their life. The CGS method originated in 1954, in Rome and has since spread throughout the world to countries throughout Africa, throughout Europe, to the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and Canada. One of the key features of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is the use of catechetical materials specially designed for children. Another feature is the use of a prepared environment, a room called the Atrium set aside to foster children's religious growth.​ Here at St. Basil’s Parish we are fortunate enough to have an Atrium at our Parish.   

St. Basil’s will be hosting a CGS Level 1 program (for children aged 3-6), on Sunday mornings beginning in late October.  We hope that families will be able to join us at 10:30 a.m. Mass after our CGS sessions.  Our program for 2024 restarts on February 4.

The program fee is $75/child, or $125/family. This money goes toward the maintenance of the Atrium and various costs associated with running the program (i.e. supplies, materials). We do not want cost to be a barrier for any family, and financial assistance is available.

If you would like to register, please complete this form for your child(ren): https://forms.office.com/r/j64SYfjnjP

Only one form per family please!