Sacraments are signs instituted by Christ, entrusted to the Church, and dispensed through the Church to give us the grace to live the life of a daughter or son of God. The sacraments sanctify us, make us holy, and build up the Body of Christ. They are living signs of God's love and presence in our lives. They nourish and strengthen our faith.
Sacrament Process
The Sacrament Process is for already baptized persons preparing for First Reconciliation and/or First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Anyone who is age 7 or older and wished to be fully initiated into the faith (baptized, confirmed and receive first eucharist) must be enrolled in the Rite for Christian Initiation Process.
The sacraments of initiation are celebrated in the following order: Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion. There is no specific age or grade level for these sacraments, but we often celebrate Baptism soon after a child's birth, then First Reconciliation in the latter part of their second grade year, and in our parish, First Communion/Confirmation in third grade. Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
Prior to beginning the Sacrament Process, a child should have at least one year of formal Catechesis (religious instruction) through a parish, homestudy or Catholic School program. Also, while a participant and family are in the Sacrament Process, the participant should ALSO be enrolled in and participating in a Parish Faith Formation Program (i.e., Wednesday evening program) or be attending a Catholic School.
The Sacrament Process is a family process. Preparing for the celebrating the Sacraments affects not only the participant, but also their immediate family and our parish family. The immediate family learns and grows in faith alongside the participant. The parish community is there to support, pray for, and be a faith witness for each participant and family. They, too, learn and grow closer in their relationship with the Lord through this process.
First Reconciliation. For those children baptized prior to the age of 7, we begin preparation for and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the second grade. A person who has already been baptized and looking to receive First Holy Communion must be prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Confirmation/First Holy Communion. In our Diocese, we celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation in Restored Order. In other words, for children baptized prior to age 7, we prepare for Confirmation and First Eucharist. A person must be Confirmed before receiving the Eucharist for the first time.
Confirmation. For those who have moved to our parish from another Diocese and has already received First Holy Communion, Sacrament Process will focus solely on this Sacrament.
Rite of Christian Initiation Process. This Process is for anyone ages 7 through adult who wishes to become members of the Catholic Church. It is the foundation of every Christian life laid by the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. This process explores the Catholic faith, experiences the liturgical year, and leads to full initiation in the Catholic Church. Adults meet with RCIA coordinators. Children and their parents meet with the Director of Faith Formation/Religious Education.