Guidelines and Requirements for Catholic School and Homeschool Students

General Information 

• Family must be a registered member of St. Monica Catholic Church. 
• Students need to be enrolled in a Catholic School or an accredited home school program
• Before enrollment, religious education curriculum must be submitted and approved by Maria Gonzalez-Rocha. 
• First Holy Communion Retreats - For those preparing for the sacrament of Holy Communion, students must attend BOTH St. Monica's First Reconciliation and First Communion Retreats. (Dates will be given when you register.)
• Confirmation Retreats - For those preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation, students must attend a spiritual retreat DURING their Confirmation year preparation. If they are not attending St. Monica’s Confirmation Retreat, parents must seek written approval from the Confirmation Coordinator.
• Confirmation students must complete community service hours/projects and a saint's report.

Timeline of Events: 

June - July 

Registration:

• The registration deadline is July 31st and must be done IN PERSON. Please coordinate a time with Eldie Diaz. 
• What you will need for registration: 
  • A copy of the student's birth certificate
  • A copy of the student's Baptismal certificate
  • If registering for Confirmation, a copy of the student's First Communion certificate
  • A letter from parents stating their commitment to preparing their children for the sacrament they are inquiring about.
  • There is a requested donation fee.
• No registrations will be accepted after July 31st of the year sacraments are requested. 

 

October 

For First Holy Communion Students:

First Reconciliation Retreat*:  

• The retreat will take place on a Saturday in October. (Exact date will be given at registration.)  
• The retreat will be a half-day, beginning at 8:30AM and will end at 2:00PM.
• At least one parent MUST attend with the student.
• If the student is not able to attend St. Monica's retreat, parents must seek written approval from Jeimmy Silva about attending an alternative retreat by October 1st.

*By OCTOBER 15th, parents must submit a letter from the student's religion teacher (or letter from the parent, if homeschooled) stating the student is prepared for First Reconciliation. The letter must be dropped off at the office or emailed to Eldie Diaz. 

For Confirmation Students:

Confirmation Retreat 

• Students need to attend a Confirmation Retreat.  
• By October 1st, parents must notify the Confirmation Coordinator about the Confirmation retreat they will be attending.
• By October 1st, parents must provide the Sponsor form with the required paperwork. A package will be given at the time of registration.

November

For First Holy Communion Students:

First Reconciliation

• St. Monica hosts First Reconciliation in November. (There will be a second time Reconciliation event in February, before First Communion.) 
• If your child is not prepared to receive the sacrament of First Reconciliation, they can receive the sacrament during Lent.  However, parents must notify Jeimmy Silva of the date when the sacrament takes place by April 1st.  
   
  
  

April 

For Confirmation Students:

Confirmation students must send their saint's report to the Director/Coordinator of Confirmation by the first week of April.

During April, Confirmation students will be assessed on the basic teaching of the Catholic Church and the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please coordinate the time for assessment with the Director of Confirmation. 

For First Communion Students:

By APRIL 15th, parents must submit a letter from the student's religion teacher (or letter from the parent, if homeschooled) stating the student is prepared for First Communion. The letter must be dropped off at the office or emailed to Eldie Diaz. 
 

May

First Holy Communion Retreat and Rehearsal, will be held May 3, 2025, 8:00 am-1 pm.  *At least one parent must attend with the student

Confirmation Mass Rehearsals - May 13, 2025, 6 pm. The sponsor and candidate will meet in the D wing.

Confirmation, May 14, 2025, 7 pm. The sponsor and candidate need to arrive at 6 pm in the D wing. Family waits in the church.

First Holy Communion Mass, May 17, 2025; 10 am or 1 pm

NOTE: 
St. Monica Catholic Church may delay sacraments if a child is not adequately prepared or if the family does not adhere to the Faith Formation guidelines and requirements for Catholic School and Homeschool students.

For more information or questions please contact Maria Gonzalez-Rocha, Director of Faith Formation.

---

Quick Checklist - Deadlines for Holy Communion Students: See details above.

Jul. 31 Registration

Oct. 1 Approval must be requested if seeking an alternative retreat

Oct. 15 Letter confirming preparation for First Reconciliation must be submitted.

Apr. 1 Notification of First Reconciliation due for those not receiving the sacrament in November.

Apr. 15 Letter confirming preparation for First Holy Communion must be submitted.

Quick Checklist - Deadlines for Confirmation Students: See details above.

Jul. 31 Registration

Oct. 1 Information must be submitted regarding the Confirmation Retreat.

Apr. TBD Saint Reports and Assessments due.