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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
  • Candle Light Prayer Service
    As children enter the immediate year of preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion (2nd Grade), we begin with a special Candlelight Prayer Service. Children, along with their parents and family, will participate in this special prayer service by remembering the light received at their Baptism and the reminder that they are called to be the light in the world today!
    • Monday, November 4, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
      Church of St. Mary
  • First Reconciliation Parent Meeting
    Parents only, must attend one
    • Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 1:15 p.m.
      School of St. Mary Upper Grade Center, MPR
    • Monday, November 18, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
      School of St. Mary Upper Grade Center, MPR
  • First Reconciliation Retreat
    For students and parents, mandatory to attend one
    • Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 1:15 p.m.
      School of St. Mary Upper Grade Center, MPR
    • Monday, January 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
      School of St. Mary Upper Grade Center, MPR
  • First Reconciliation Prayer Service
    • Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (Last Names A - TBA)
      Church of St. Mary
    • Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. (Last names TBA - Z)
      Church of St. Mary

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 9, 2025, at 1:15 p.m.
      School of St. Mary Upper Grade Center, MPR 
    • Monday, March 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. 
      School of St. Mary Upper Grade Center, MPR
  • First Communion Retreat
    For students and parents, mandatory to attend one
    • Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. 
      School of St. Mary Upper Grade Center, MPR
    • Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
      School of St. Mary Upper Grade Center, MPR
  • First Communion Rehearsal
    • Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. (Last names A - TBA)
      Church of St. Mary
    • Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. (Last names TBA - Z)
      Church of St. Mary
  • First Communion Mass
    • Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (Last names A - TBA)
      Church of St. Mary
    • Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. (Last names TBA - Z)
      Church of St. Mary

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.
  • Candidate, Parent, and Sponsor Gathering
    Meeting for candidates, parents, and sponsors. The gathering will include an opportunity to pray together and discuss the theology of Confirmation and the importance of receiving this Sacrament, Sponsor Role, and Retreat. 
    • Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 1:15 p.m.
      School of St. Mary Upper Grade Center, MPR & Gym
  • Candidate Enrollment at Masses
    Along with their family, your Confirmation Candidate will select a Mass to attend from one of the above choices. Please come at least 10 minutes early so that the candidate and parents have the opportunity to sign the Confirmation Enrollment Binder prior to the start of Mass. Following the homily, candidates will be invited forward to be recognized by the parish and receive a blessing from the priest and the prayerful support of the parish community. Sponsors are encouraged to attend. 
    • Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., or Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m.
      Church of St. Mary
  • Confirmation Retreat
    Attendance is required.
    • Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
      School of St. Mary Upper Grade Center, MPR & Gym, and the Church of St. Mary
  • Confirmation Rehearsal
    • Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. (Last names A - L)
      Church of St. Mary
    • Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. (Last names M - Z)
  • Confirmation Mass
    • Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (Last names A - L)
      Church of St. Mary
    • Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. (Last names M - Z)
      Church of St. Mary

Mrs. Joy Pacheco

Director of Religious Education
Email 
 
25 years of Ministry Experience