Families participating in Religious Education at St. Bernard are required to be registered parishioners who are active in the parish through stewardship and participation in our parish life.  Attending Mass on Sundays, and on Holy Days, is a precept of the Catholic Church.  All sacrament preparation students are required to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation in order to be eligible to receive the sacraments.

Children who are baptized Catholics begin formation for First Reconciliation and First Communion once a child enters 1st grade.  Our diocese requires a two-year program for First Communion, with reception of the sacraments in year two.  Students need to be aged 7 or older to receive First Communion, with consistent attendance at scheduled classes and Sunday Mass.   

Older students who are baptized Catholics will need to attend an additional preparation class for First Reconciliation and First Communion formation, in addition to the parish religious education program for their grade level.

Children who are aged 7 and above, and are unbaptized, or baptized in another valid Christian denomination, will need to attend our OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation for Children) program.

First Holy Communion will typically occur on the first Sunday in May unless Father's schedule requires an adjustment on the date.