This sacrament can be celebrated at any of our weekend liturgies or at a Group baptism at 12:15 one Sunday in the month, according to appointment.
During pregnancy, parents are asked to meet with one of the members of the Pastoral Staff to discuss their participation in the worship and life of the parish. Following this initial meeting, first time parents are invited to participate in a Baptismal preparation class in the home of one of the couples on the parish Baptismal team. The format of the meeting with the staff person and the class will offer the parents a renewed understanding of the place of Baptism in the life of the Christian as well as to explain the various rituals of the ceremony, together with the options available here at St. Joseph's in celebrating the Sacrament. A final contact with the staff member will finalize the date and specific plans for the actual Baptism.
GUIDELINES FOR RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENT AT ST. JOSEPH'S:
Those requesting the Sacraments must be registered members of the parish and must be actively using their gifts and talents in the parish.
A child must be registered in the Catholic school or Faith Formation Program one year prior to reception of the Sacrament.
Available to children who have reached the age of reason, seven years old. The parents in consultation with the parish staff, determine the readiness of a child for the Sacraments.
As a child grows and begins to participate more fully in the prayer of the
weekend Mass, the desire to receive Communion becomes more evident. As
parents sense this growth and their child's understanding about the
Eucharist, they may consider preparation for this child. Signs of growth
are a more comfortable presence in Church, an ability to be more attentive
to the Liturgy of the Word, a more inquisitive attitude about the signs
and symbols at Mass, praying the prayers, less distraction and more
attentiveness to the action of the Mass, and a hunger for the Eucharist.
As part of the parish preparation for Eucharist, we invite child and
parents to join us in a series of classes focused on the Eucharist and its
meaning in the life of the Christian and of the parish. Parents and
children come together for their own sessions, parents taking an adult
approach, children, one geared to their age level; each session concludes
with a prayer service involving both parents and children in a form of
ritual prayer. Parents are given the materials to continue these lessons
during the series at home as they spend time each week with the child
talking about the Eucharist.
The celebration of First Eucharist
will be at a weekend Mass where small groups of children and their
families will participate and be involved in that celebration. The whole
parish will be included in these celebrations as we share in this step of
faith for these children.
GUIDELINES FOR RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENT AT ST. JOSEPH'S:
Those requesting the Sacraments must be registered members of the Parish and must be actively using their gifts and talents in the parish.
A child must be registered in the Catholic school or Faith Formation Program one year prior to reception of the Sacrament.
Available to children who have reached the age of reason, seven years old. The parents in consultation with the parish staff, determine the readiness of a child for the Sacraments.
As a child matures, there is a growing sense of the need for forgiveness to be received and to be given. The dimension of life is important to our development as human beings. We all sin, we all hurt others, we all miss the mark of moral right---and part of any growing is to recognize this failure and to allow the healing to happen that forgiveness can offer. Our Sacramental Life as Christians addresses this need in our celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance. Again, parents, as they sense their child's need and ability to integrate this sacrament into everyday life, bring their child to the community to begin immediate preparation. The format here is similar to that for the First Eucharist as both parent and child come together with others in the parish. Parents will be given materials to continue the series with the lessons done in the setting of the home. When the immediate preparation is completed, the parent and child, together with other members of their family, may come to one of the celebrations of Reconciliation. We offer both the opportunity for the Individual Reconciliation as well as Communal Reconciliation. These services will be open to the whole parish community so that they can participate in this special time as these children continue their journey of faith through this sacramental celebration.
GUIDELINES FOR RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENT AT ST. JOSEPH'S:
Those requesting the Sacraments must be registered members of the Parish and must be actively using their gifts and talents in the parish.
A child must be registered in the Catholic school or Faith Formation Program one year prior to reception of the Sacrament.
Available to children who have reached the age of reason, seven years old. The parents in consultation with the parish staff, determine the readiness of a child for the Sacraments.
Confirmation is offered twice during the year; October through January and February through May. The program includes an orientation for parent / sponsor and candidate. Candidates then gather monthly to discuss their spirituality. Also, they share their experiences of the parish and community service projects. This program is recommended to Junior High students.
Couples planning to celebrate the sacrament of Marriage here will be asked
to participate in Engaged Encounter weekend or Pre-Cana. As they progress
through the preparation, the presider of their celebration will offer them
opportunities to assess their faith life and involvement in the growing
life of the parish.
For more information please reference our Wedding Guidelines.
We want to more clearly stress the adult
learning aspect of these Sacraments in the life of our parish family and
for your individual family. We believe that involving the parents in the
format outlined above will continue the direction of the Diocesan Synod
for Life-long Faith Formation and will be a further development of the
approach that our parish has had.