Sacramental Preparation
Our students in the Second and Eighth grade have the opportunity to prepare for Holy Sacraments as a part of their religious education at the School of St. Mary’s. Under the leadership and guidance of the pastor and the Director of Religious Education, students participate in the rich Sacramental life of the parish community. All Sacraments are parish events and this is reflected in the preparation and celebration of the Sacraments.
Parental involvement is essential in the faith formation of students, as they are the “first teachers” in the vision and practice of the Catholic way of life. Our pastor, along with the Director of Religious Education, plans and conducts gatherings with parents related to the relevant Sacrament as an opportunity to gather as a community, pray, educate and support.
First Reconciliation and First Communion
Preparing children for the Sacrament of Reconciliation allows us to show them that God is love and that in mercy, He is always ready to forgive, no matter what the wrong. It assures them that God already knows the secrets of our hearts, but sometimes we need to name these aloud in order to prepare our hearts to renew the experience of God's love and forgiveness. It shows them that just as God is One, God dreams that we might all be one as well--one with each other and one with God. God's will is that all people will be reconciled with one another and with God. What an extraordinary gift!
Second graders prepare to celebrate Reconciliation in the winter and First Holy Communion in the spring. Preparation includes a Child-Parent retreat prior to the celebration of each Sacrament.
First Reconciliation
St. Mary's has an in-depth 2-year prep for the Sacrament of Reconciliation beginning in 1st grade. The Sacrament is celebrated in the winter of 2nd grade.
First Reconciliation Dates
- First Reconciliation Parent Meeting
Parents only, must attend one- Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 1:15 p.m.
- Monday, December 11, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
- First Reconciliation Retreat
For students and parents, mandatory to attend one- Sunday, January 21, 2024, at 1:15 p.m.
- Monday, January 22, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
- First Reconciliation Service
- Saturday, February 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. (Last Names A-K)
- Saturday, February 24, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. (Last names L-Z)
First Communion
St. Mary's has an in-depth 2-year prep program for the Sacrament of First Communion beginning in 1st grade. The Sacrament of First Communion is celebrated in the spring of 2nd grade.
First Communion Dates
- First Communion Parent Meeting
Parents only must attend one - Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 1:15 p.m.
- Monday, March 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
- First Communion Retreat
For students and parents, mandatory to attend one- Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
- Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.
- First Communion Rehearsal
- Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. (Last Names A-L)
- Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. (Last Names M-Z)
- First Communion Mass
- Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (Last Names A-K)
- Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. (Last names L-Z)
Confirmation
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service.
In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is "sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit," completes their Sacraments of Initiation, and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ.
Eighth graders begin immediate preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation which is celebrated in the spring.
Confirmation
St. Mary’s has an in-depth 3-year preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation beginning in 6th grade. The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated in the spring of 8th grade.
Confirmation Dates
Dates are tentative and subject to change
- Confirmandi, Parent & Sponsor Meeting
- Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 1:15 p.m.
- Confirmation Retreat
- Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Confirmation Rehearsal
- Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. (Last Names A-K)
- Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. (Last Names L-Z)
- Confirmation Mass
- Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (Last Names A-K)
- Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. (Last Names L-Z)
