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First Reconciliation & First Eucharist

Preparations for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist will begin in September. The program is open to children in grades 2 and older who completed (in full) the 2011-12 year of Faith Formation. Your child must also be enrolled and active in our 2012-2013 Footsteps in Faith program. Parent participation and family activities are components as well.
 

Need to register:

è     Coming soon 2012/13 Registration Form

Confirmation

There are several program components for the preparation of the sacrament of Confirmation, but here are three of the most important:

First, it is expected that the family attend Mass together regularly. The Mass experience is a significant part of the sacramental experience, and what you and your child learn during sacramental preparation will be greatly enhanced by regular participation at Mass.

Second, the child and at least one parent must attend all  preparation sessions for each sacrament. Sessions will begin in the Church.

Third, your child must be involved in an ongoing faith formation program.  This can be either through formal religion classes at a Diocesan Catholic school, or for those in 8th grade or older, in our Edge or Revive Youth Ministry programs. Children must have been actively participating in a Faith Formation program the year prior to the celebration of Confirmation.

For any questions or clarification, please call the Faith Formation Office at 267-7088, x242.

Baptism

Through the sacrament of Baptism, the Christian community welcomes new members into its midst.  The child or adult baptized is born again through faith in Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.  Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door, which gives access to the other sacraments.  Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission of proclaiming Christ to the world and of service to our neighbor.  (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213)  The celebration of the baptism is a joyful occasion that leads to a life of formation in the Christian way of life.  

The Catholic Church celebrates baptism two different ways, depending on the age of the one being baptized:    

1)  The Rite of Baptism for Children, is for newborn infants and for children who have not yet reached the “age of reason” or “catechetical age,” when they can profess their own personal faith (at their age level).  This age is usually understood to be around age seven, but some children are ready at a slightly earlier age or somewhat older age.  Lori Crawford, the Director of Faith Formation or Fr. Hugh McGuigan, Pastor, will be able to assist you in determining the readiness of the child to be formed in the faith before the celebration of Baptism.  If your child has the abilities of children who are receiving first communion, he or she should be prepared to celebrate baptism through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (adapted for children).  

2)  The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the second way in which children and adults are prepared to celebrate the sacrament of Baptism.