For Catholics, the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion continues their faith journey and life-long relationship with Jesus, which originally begins with Baptism.

New to Oak Knoll School this year for second graders is the Lower School’s First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion program in partnership with the neighboring Saint Teresa of Avila Parish in Summit.

Children no longer need to separately take an additional course outside of school hours for sacrament preparation.

Currently, First Reconciliation preparation is underway and First Communion prep classes will begin this spring at Oak Knoll. The classes are taught by second grade teacher Alicia Grimes and integrated into the children’s regularly scheduled religion classes. In these classes, the “Be My Disciples” curriculum is followed covering Jesus, the Son of God. Students learn about Jesus’ life and how he died in order to save us from sin.

“At Oak Knoll, we are a community of faith,” said Dr. Michele Dahl, Oak Knoll Lower School Campus Ministry Facilitator and Religion Coordinator. “For many, our OKS community is like an extended family. Reception of the sacrament together is a wonderful opportunity and the children in second grade enjoy many religiously-related activities throughout the school year. Preparing for and receiving the sacrament together seems to be a quite natural flow, inspired by the Holy Spirit,” she says.

Second grade students will receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation on February 19, 2020 in Grace Hall Chapel at Oak Knoll. This Spring, students will receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 16, 2020. The First Communion Mass will begin at 10 a.m. at Saint Teresa’s in Summit.