First Holy Communion

Dear Parents,

Re: First Holy Communion Masses in April & Rehearsal

Greetings of joy as we see the government relaxing Covid 19 restrictions starting this week, I pray that you all are well and staying safe.

Allow me to thank the catechists who have selflessly given their time and talent to prepare the first Communicants for this BIG day in their lives.

With cautious optimism, the parish office has tentatively booked the dates for your children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. 

Please see below the First Holy Communion dates, we invite you to register your child on a date of your choice through the Eventbrite booking application starting Thursday, February 10 onwards at https://stfrancisxaviermi.archtoronto.org/   We request that you register right away as only 20 students with their immediate family living in the same household can be accommodated per time slot. 

To keep things in order, and to avoid any surprises, a rehearsal Mass is scheduled on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.  You can choose either time, please register on the parish website as spaces are limited to 50 students per Mass. One or two parents may accompany their child for this practice.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these difficult times. Please see the guidelines below. 

Yours in Christ,

Fr. James Cherickal
Pastor

Catechists: Caroline Athaide, Arthy Kuganathan, Branda Gidinski, Cathy Grace, Cyrus & Delphine Rosario, Deborah Roberts, Florine Pinto, Ivan Menezes, Pomela Dominguez, Priya Fernandes, Sharon Borges, Simikien Gomes, Stefanie Dos Santos, Tanya Pereira, Joshua D’Souza & Inette Coelho.

Rehearsal Mass | Capacity Limit:  50 Families

First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Dates

Capacity Limit: 20 Families

Guidelines:

• Please arrive by half hour before Mass and proceed to the Church
• If you prefer to take pictures, please come at least 45 minutes early
• Please make sure that everyone wears a face mask
• There will be parish volunteers to assist, kindly follow their guidelines
• One pew will be reserved under the name of the child receiving the Sacrament
• Immediate family members (parents and siblings) will be seated with the child in the same pew
• First Communion Reception: Each child with parent will walk up the aisle to receive Communion from the main celebrant and return to the seat from the side aisle
• Volunteers will be near the assigned pews to guide and address any issues regarding reserved seating
• Siblings and other members of the family will receive Communion at their seat
• The parish will arrange a photographer, to take photos as the student receives their First Holy Communion. The photographer will let you know the cost of the photo package
• Family photographers may take pictures before the Mass as long as everyone wears masks and maintains 6ft distancing
• After the Mass, each student and their family will be allowed to take one photo with the priest
• The Volunteers will guide you to the exit doors after family picture, due to sanitization purposes, no social gatherings are permitted within the church or hallway
• All these guidelines may change based on the communication we receive from the city & the Archdiocese due to Covid protocols

To register, visit the parish Eventbrite page at:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/st-francis-xavier-parish-30494489584?aff=eand

EventBrite registrations opens on Thursday February 10, at 9.00 AM