SACRAMENT PREPARATION
Sharing the Light of Faith: National Catechetical Directory for Catholics of the United States explains that through visible and finite symbols we encounter the invisible presence and infinite holiness of God. Sacraments celebrate God’s actions in the life of the community of believers.
Preparation for reception of a Sacrament necessitates a two-fold understanding of this communal dimension. The family is the primary community for sacramental preparation for it is within this structure that we first form values and attitudes, and we first encounter intensified support through structured sacramental preparation programs and parish communal celebrations of the Sacraments. Our sacrament preparation processes are created to be opportunities for children and parents to grow in faith and learn or deepen their understanding of the sacrament.
Preparation for reception of a Sacrament necessitates a two-fold understanding of this communal dimension. The family is the primary community for sacramental preparation for it is within this structure that we first form values and attitudes, and we first encounter intensified support through structured sacramental preparation programs and parish communal celebrations of the Sacraments. Our sacrament preparation processes are created to be opportunities for children and parents to grow in faith and learn or deepen their understanding of the sacrament.
GENERAL SACRAMENT PREPARATION TIMELINE
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Reception of the Sacrament of student is based on the results of his/her readiness as assessed by the Catechist and the Faith Formation director.
Once prerequisites are fulfilled:
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At their child’s Baptism, parents agreed to be the primary educators of their child in the faith by word and example. Therefore, parents are expected to work in partnership with the Church to help their children prepare to celebrate the sacraments.
- It is the parent’s responsibility to be aware of sacrament preparation dates and process information. The Faith Formation Office will make every effort to communicate pertinent information via email or Flocknote, bulletin and parish website.
- To participate in a sacrament preparation process complete involvement of the child and his/her parent(s) is mandated as required in each preparation process
- Parents are primarily responsible for ensuring that their children understand and learn all of the required information
- All parent meetings incorporated into a sacrament preparation processes are mandatory. If a parent cannot attend, a delegate such as a grandparent, uncle, aunt, etc. may be sent to receive the necessary information
PREREQUISITES FOR SACRAMENT FORMATION
Prior to beginning sacrament preparation all students must complete the following general
requirements which lay important foundations for sacrament preparation to build upon.
- Attend Sunday Mass weekly
- Have an age appropriate understanding of Catholic teachings and the scriptures as indicated in a showing of competencies in their Faith Formation classes.
- Be integrated into the Catholic faith community through enrollment in the Faith Formation program with an excellent attendance record
- Have at least one catechetical school year prior of Catholic faith formation in grade 1 or above
PROOF OF BAPTISM
Proof of baptism is required and must be turned in at registration for a sacrament preparation process. No sacrament will be celebrated without proper proof of baptism as required by Canon Law.
- Individuals baptized in an accepted non-Catholic Christian ecclesial community, must make a profession of faith prior to preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation; the first sacrament celebrated after Baptism.
MASS ATTENDANCE
The Eucharistic celebration is the ‘source and summit’ of our faith. At Mass “we participate in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, that is, in his dying and rising which is made present for us in the Eucharistic sacrifice.” (USCCA Ch 17) Through our participation in this paschal process, we are transformed with the bread and wine into the Body of Christ to bring Christ’s message of peace and love into the world.
To be adequately prepared to celebrate the sacraments, children and the entire family must attend Mass weekly.
To be adequately prepared to celebrate the sacraments, children and the entire family must attend Mass weekly.
- Children and family attending other denominational worship services as their primary place of worship indicates to us that your child is not ready to celebrate the sacraments.
CHILDREN IN GRADES 2-6 MAY PARTICIPATE IN ONLY ONE
SACRAMENT PREPARATION PROCESS EACH CATECHETICAL YEAR
SACRAMENT PREPARATION PROCESS EACH CATECHETICAL YEAR
FIRST RECONCILIATION |
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Children are first introduced to reconciling experiences in the home.
When siblings fight, parents are disobeyed, or other common family dynamics happen where a wrong has been done, the stage is set for a child to learn the meaning of forgiveness. Once sorrow is shown and forgiveness is asked for and given, a child experiences what the Sacrament of Reconciliation is all about. God our loving and merciful Father forgives our sins and graces us to more fully follow his commandments and to live as followers of Christ.
When siblings fight, parents are disobeyed, or other common family dynamics happen where a wrong has been done, the stage is set for a child to learn the meaning of forgiveness. Once sorrow is shown and forgiveness is asked for and given, a child experiences what the Sacrament of Reconciliation is all about. God our loving and merciful Father forgives our sins and graces us to more fully follow his commandments and to live as followers of Christ.
- Children must be in the second grade or higher and have completed at least one full year of Catholic faith formation the year prior to enrolling in the First Reconciliation process – usually in the first grade.
- Children must know the Order of the Rite of Reconciliation, have an age appropriate understanding of the difference between a sin, accident and a mistake, know an Act of Contrition and meet other diocesan and/or parish requirements to celebrate the sacrament.
CONFIRMATION ONLY |
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Confirmation preparation for students transferring into our parish from other dioceses that do not have the restored order of sacraments are merged into our restored order preparation process.
Restored Order according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church "the sacraments of Christian Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist - lay the foundations of every Christian life... the faithful are born anew by baptism, strengthened by the Sacrament of Confirmation, and receive the Eucharist the food of eternal life'. The Holy Eucharist completes our Christian Initiation.
Restored Order according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church "the sacraments of Christian Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist - lay the foundations of every Christian life... the faithful are born anew by baptism, strengthened by the Sacrament of Confirmation, and receive the Eucharist the food of eternal life'. The Holy Eucharist completes our Christian Initiation.
Confirmation and First Communion
In the Phoenix diocese, children must prepare for the sacraments of Confirmation and Communion in the same preparation process and celebrate these sacraments in the same liturgy.
In the Phoenix diocese, children must prepare for the sacraments of Confirmation and Communion in the same preparation process and celebrate these sacraments in the same liturgy.
Confirmation
Confirmation formation looks at the identity and role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Children and youth must have an age appropriate understanding of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how the Gifts can help them be disciples of Christ.
In addition the children must have an age appropriate understanding of the different parts of the Rite of Confirmation and how to celebrate the Rite. All Confirmation students must have a sponsor to guide them in the preparation process and to present them to the Bishop.
Confirmation formation looks at the identity and role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Children and youth must have an age appropriate understanding of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how the Gifts can help them be disciples of Christ.
In addition the children must have an age appropriate understanding of the different parts of the Rite of Confirmation and how to celebrate the Rite. All Confirmation students must have a sponsor to guide them in the preparation process and to present them to the Bishop.
Communion (Eucharist)
First Communion formation centers on the Order of the Mass. Children must have an age appropriate understanding of the different parts of the Mass and how the Mass is the primary prayer of the Church. The true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is highlighted and the children are taught the proper way to receive Jesus in Holy Communion.
First Communion formation centers on the Order of the Mass. Children must have an age appropriate understanding of the different parts of the Mass and how the Mass is the primary prayer of the Church. The true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is highlighted and the children are taught the proper way to receive Jesus in Holy Communion.
- Children must be in the third grade or higher and have prepared for and celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least one catechetical school year earlier.
- Children must have *excellent attendance in Faith Formation and sacrament preparation process. Children must complete all class and home assignments, retreats, and participate fully in all process activities
CONFIRMATION SPONSOR REQUIREMENTS |
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PARENT ROLE
Confirmation sponsors must be willing and able to fulfill all of the duties and obligations incorporated within the process and satisfy the requirements of canon law and process requirements.
Canon Law #892
“It is the duty of the sponsor to see the confirmed person acts as a true witness to Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations connected with the sacraments.”
Sponsors must be:
Canon Law #892
“It is the duty of the sponsor to see the confirmed person acts as a true witness to Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations connected with the sacraments.”
Sponsors must be:
- 16 years of age or older.
- Fully initiated in the Catholic Church (Received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist).
- Practicing Catholic and registered at a parish.
- Participates in the Mass on Sundays and Holidays and receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation regularly.
- If married, validly married according to the laws of the Catholic Church,
If divorced, have not remarried outside the Catholic Church.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- It is expected that students have continuous enrollment in Faith Formation as they prepare for the sacraments.
- If years have been skipped in grades 2-6, students may still only participate in one sacrament process per catechetical school year
- Students who have poor attendance or drop out of Faith Formation classes after celebrating First Reconciliation may not be eligible for Confirmation/First Communion preparation the following catechetical year.
Sacrament preparation does NOT take place in grade level class sessions.
- All sacrament preparation classes and activities are mandatory for students and parents as the process dictates. Due to the concentrated curriculum and essential catechetical information central to each process, sports and extra curricular activities are not considered acceptable absences.