Sacraments

Infant or Toddler Baptsim

Parents desiring to have their baby or toddler baptized begin the process by registering at the parish
office.  An initial parent interview with one of the parish priests, deacon or sister is scheduled.

Pre-school or Primary Baptism                                                                          

Parents who wish to have their 4, 5 or 6 year old baptized register through the Faith Formation of Youth Office.  Preparation sessions are held for the parents and godparents during the year.  If old enough, the children attend Faith Formation classes with their peers and a special Baptismal celebration is scheduled for the end of the school year.

Baptism of Older children / youth

Once a young person is in the intermediate grades and not baptized, his/her initiation into the church
follows the same process as for adults.  Parents and their young person participate in a process of
preparation which involves faith formation classes with their peers, liturgical rites and community
celebrations.  The young person then receives the Sacraments of Initiation:  Baptism, Confirmation
and Eucharist.  Parents register through the Faith Formation of Youth Office.

First Eucharist (Communion)

Catholic youth who are baptized as infants/young children are fully initiated into the church in
stages.  Children grow in an understanding of their faith as they live their faith on a daily basis
with their families and as they participate in the parish Faith Formation of Youth Program or
attend Catholic School. 

When parents feel their child has reached readiness for First Eucharist, they present their child
as a candidate and request they be included in the parish process of preparation by registering
for Faith Formation classes (unless the youth are attending Catholic School)

First Reconciliation (Confession)   

Assisted by parents and their catechists, children receiving First Eucharist are prepared for and encouraged to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to First Eucharist. 

If for some reason a child/youth has not received the Sacrament of Reconciliation but has received
Eucharist, he/she may take part in our process of preparation as it relates to this Sacrament.

Parents present their child as a candidate for First Reconciliation and register through the Faith
Formation of Youth Office.

Confirmation

A young person baptized as an infant or young child has the choice of celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation in his/her latter years of high school.  This is their time to personally claim for
themselves the life of Christ into which they were initiated at the time of their Baptism.

Each year of Faith Sharing Sessions, in our Faith Formation of Youth Program or in Catholic Schools, leads toward readiness.  However, there is a special time of preparation prior to the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Juniors or Seniors in High School who have not yet received this Sacrament may sign up as candidates for Confirmation through the Faith Formation of Youth Office.  Parents, catechists
sponsors and the parish community share in the spiritual journey of these young people. 

Confirmation for Adults

Any adult who has been baptized and received Eucharist but has never been confirmed and wishes to
do so, may sign up as a candidate and participate in a special process of preparation for the
Sacrament of Confirmation.

Chrisitian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

Newcomers are always welcome in the Catholic Church.  Adults wishing to become members of the
Catholic process know as RCIA.

This process is open to adults who

            .  have never been baptized
            .  have been baptized in another Christian Church
            .  are baptized Catholics but have not yet received Confirmation or Eucharist.

During our time together, there will be
            .  proclamation and teaching of the gospel … prayer and spiritual direction
            .  catechesis (the passing on of the traditions and teachings of the church)
            .  and personal interaction with members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish Community.

If you feel the Lord calling you to membership in the Church, or if you are trying to discern the
Lord’s call by knowing more about the church, your journey begins by contacting Sister Frances
Michele.