Sacramental Preparation

About Sacramental Catechesis

Sacramental Catechesis is a process of conversion into Christ for each person and the entire parish community. It is not only for relatives, children, youth, and adults that are preparing for the sacraments. It is a moment of conversion for the whole parish community. From September through May dynamic speakers lead the process with activities and reflections to be brought home so as to include the whole family in this preparation period. The parents and students must attend regular sessions. There are four sessions for Reconciliation, four for Eucharist, and six sessions for Confirmation. There will be a mandatory orientation for parents and children before the regular sessions begin. The presentations are in English and in Spanish and all materials are bilingual. Attendance to P.R.E.P. classes and to Sacramental Catechesis is very important to celebrate the sacrament. In terms of “sacraments”, there is a marked difference between catechesis “on” sacraments (religious education) and catechesis “for” a sacrament (sacramental catechesis).

This is what the Catholic Church is teaching us:

Liturgy is the primary formative experience of Church and Liturgical Prayer is a primary component of every catechetical session.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church #1075 – “Liturgical catechesis aims to initiate people into the mystery of Christ by proceeding from the visible to the invisible, from the sign to the thing signified, from the ‘sacraments’ to the ‘mysteries’.” Leading people to sacraments take place within the context of the Entire Parish Community, since sacraments belong to the Church. Leading people to sacraments means forming them into the sacramental mystery which is set forth in the liturgy. As we read in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults # 75: “The celebration of the Sacramental Rites provides the content for Sacramental Catechesis.”

Preparation Class Overview

Below is a brief overview of the preparation classes for the Sacraments. For more information, please click on Sacraments to visit the page.

Baptism Classes for Parents & Godparents of Infants

Volunteer catechists work with the Coordinator to prepare the Parents and Godparents of our community for the sacrament of Baptism. Parents & Godparents must complete a registration process and attend a sacramental catechesis class. Baptismal classes are held in English and Spanish.

Reconciliation Preparation

Program to prepare children & adults to receive Sacrament of the Reconciliation for the first time.

First Communion Preparation

Program to prepare children & adults to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time.

Confirmation Preparation

Sacramental Catechists for youth (8th Grade up to High School) & Adults (18 & older): Catechists and Volunteers work with the Confirmation Coordinator to prepare the Youth & Adults of our parish I order to complete initiation into the Catholic Church through the Sacrament of Confirmation.

R.C.I.A.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which children age 7 & older along with adults enter into full Initiation of the Catholic Church. The four-stage process includes Inquiry (initial interest), further experience and learning of the Catholic faith, Preparation for Baptisms, Confirmation, Eucharist.