Sacraments

 

 
Sacramental Preparation Policy For  St. Alphonsus Church

 

                 As a new School Year/ Religious Education Year starts the question about Sacramental Preparation also start.

 

This year at St. Alphonsus we will celebrate three Sacraments: First Penance in the November, Confirmation in December and First Eucharist in May.  

Sacramental Preparation for all Sacraments is by Readiness not age.  Readiness on the part of the candidate for the sacrament is determined based on their desire and their regular participation in age appropriate Religious Education Classes.  The readiness of the family is based on their commitment to weekly Mass attendance and whatever necessary support of the ongoing regular Religious Education of the individual before and after reception of the Sacrament.  The parents as the first teachers of their children are called to make the decision as to whether the child and they are ready for the reception of the Sacrament once the Diocesan Criteria is presented to them.  

 

Preparation for the Sacrament is immediate and focused 6 weeks prior to each Sacrament. 

 

As stated those young people expecting to receive a Sacrament are expected to be actively involved in some type of Religious Education the year of the Sacrament 2009-2010 and the year prior to the Sacrament 2008-2009.  The Religious Education is either Catholic School or the Parish Religious Education Program.  The exception would be High School Students, since our formal program ends with 8th grade.  The requirement for the High School Candidataes for Sacraments  is that they attend Mass weekly and are living out their Baptismal call on a daily basis. 

 

There will be Parent Sacramental Informational Meetings announced before each Sacrament.  At each of these meetings the specifics for Sacramental Preparation will be presented.  Please watch the bulletin and mailings for more information.

 

If you have any questions, please direct them to Adelaide at 252-7261 or stop and talk to me after any of the Masses.

 

Remember: The Sacraments are not the Keys to the Kingdom.  The USE of the Sacraments is the Way to the Kingdom.

First Penance Parent Meeting

 

There will be a meeting for all the parents fo prospective First Penance Students on Tuesday, Sept. 21 at EITHER 11am or 7pm in Church.  First Penance Classes will start in October with the celebration of the Sacrament on Saturday, Dec. 4th .