CGS preparation for First Penance and First Communion is available to any child enrolled in Level II or III who is ready, ideally after completing at least one full year of atrium prior to the sacramental year. Children belonging to other parishes are welcome to participate in CGS sacramental preparation, but must have permission from their pastor to receive their first sacraments at Ascension.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd sacrament preparation includes five evening meditations for parents and their children, as well as a three-day retreat for the children to intensively prepare for and celebrate the Sacraments. First Penance will be May 11th and First Communion will be May 12th.
 

DISCERNMENT OF READINESS
The upcoming celebration of First Communion is announced to the children in January and the catechist wonders aloud who Jesus might be calling to receive this great gift of Himself. The children respond according to their desire for the sacrament and their personal maturity. Their readiness is discerned together with the family, the catechists, and the priest. It is not automatic based on age; some seven-year-olds may not yet be ready.

Signs of readiness include:

• Has reached the age of reason
• Is attuned to the reality of God's presence in his/her life
• Spends time enjoying God's presence in prayer
• Knows that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus
• Desires to receive the Eucharist.

MASS OF INTENTION (Saturday, February 10th 9:00 am)
Children who have decided that they want to prepare for the sacraments place their names on the altar as a sign of their desire. At this time it is explained to the children that there is still much preparation to do to ready themselves for this gift. They are presented with a copy of the New Testament. A short parent meeting follows Mass.

PARENT/CHILD EVENING MEDITATIONS (Tuesdays 3/12, 3/19, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23)  Held in the church and accompanied by a parent, the children receive a series of one-hour weekly meditations on the True Vine, the Found Sheep and Found Coin, the Forgiving Father (aka Prodigal Son), and the Centurion's Servant.

RETREAT (9:00 am - 2:30 pm Thursday May 9th - Saturday May 11th)
Selected materials are brought to the church hall where the children not only revisit the materials most directly related to First Penance and First Communion, they also create their First Missal, embroider cross necklaces, decorate their First Communion candle, practice receiving unconsecrated hosts and communion wine, and have the opportunity for Adoration. Father leads a reenactment of the Last Supper, answers the children's questions about confession, and demonstrates the Rite of Reconciliation by hearing a catechist's mock confession. He also says a special Mass that the children have planned, in which they do the readings, prayers of the faithful, and bring up the gifts.

FIRST PENANCE - Saturday May 11th, 11:30 am
Families arrive and Father guides the children through an examination of conscience based on the Maxims of Jesus. When they have finished their confessions, the children are invited forward to be vested by a parent or godparent in a white garment and to receive the Light of Christ from the Paschal candle, recalling that through the Sacrament of Reconciliation they have once again been returned to their Baptismal state. A final rehearsal follows for First Communion the next day.

FIRST COMMUNION - Sunday May 12th, 9:00 - 11:45 am
The children process in carrying their First Communion candles, which are placed around the Paschal candle. After Mass the children process to the Mary statue for the May crowning, then return to the Atrium for a time of reflection and thanksgiving for the great gift that they have just received before returning home with their families.