Sacramental Programs for Children

ST. ANNE CATHOLIC CHURCH
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION POLICY

(Sacraments of Initiation for Unbaptized Children Age Seven and Older;
and Programs for First Penance, First Eucharist, and Confirmation)

The following policy will be followed in order for your child to attend sacramental preparation classes and to celebrate his/her Baptism (if he/she is age seven or older), First Penance (First Confession), First Eucharist (First Communion), or Confirmation at St. Anne Catholic Church:

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Sacraments of Initiation for Unbaptized Children Age Seven and Older
(Catechumenate Program)

The risen Jesus, before ascending into heaven, commissioned his disciples to:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
(Matthew 28:19-20)

Church law states that a child who has reached the age of reason and who has not yet been baptized must be properly formed in the faith and sacraments, after which time he/she will celebrate all three Initiation Sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) (Can. 852 and Can. 866). These initiation sacraments will normally be celebrated during the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday (the evening before Easter Sunday). After the celebration of the three initiation sacraments, the child will prepare for the Sacrament of Penance (First Confession), which will be celebrated shortly after the Easter Vigil. This could also be a two-year process, depending upon the child’s progress in his/her faith formation. Excellent attendance is necessary, and extra sessions will be required by both the parents and child.

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First Penance (First Confession) and First Eucharist (First Communion)
(2-Year Program)

The risen Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace be with you. . . . Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”
(John 20:23)

“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”
(John 6:55-56)

Per diocesan policy, “Ordinarily, a child will participate for at least one year in a religious education program approved by the parish prior to entrance into the program of immediate catechesis for the Sacrament.” Basically, this means that a child must attend a religious education class (or a Catholic school) for a full year BEFORE entering into a First Penance/First Eucharist class. This is why we call the program a two-year sacramental preparation program. If your child attended classes in a religious education program the previous year at another parish or at a Catholic school, please provide the St. Anne Director of Religious Education with an official letter from your former parish (the pastor or the Director of Religious Education) or Catholic school principal stating that your child had attended classes. We expect excellent attendance in our Sacramental Preparation Program.
A copy of a child’s Baptism Certificate must be given to the Director of Religious Education no later than October 1. Without the Baptism Certificate, the child cannot be allowed to celebrate First Penance or First Eucharist. See the Director of Religious Education for any questions that you may have.
All parents of children planning to celebrate First Penance and First Eucharist are asked to attend at least two parent sessions, possibly more. By attending these parent sessions, you are serving as good Catholic Christian role models for your children and other adults.
Children may begin the 2-year Sacramental Preparation program in Grade 1, but not before that. Of course, older children may begin the process in any grade. However, the process will normally consist of two full school years.
Please note that your child needs to begin the process in September of both years.
All children planning to receive First Penance and First Eucharist must also attend extra sessions and rehearsals when scheduled. See your annual calendar for details.

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Sacrament of Confirmation (Grade 11)
(2-Year Program)

“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they [the apostles] were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them
tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit . . . .”
(Acts 2:1-4)

“According to Diocesan policy, candidates for Confirmation will be at least sixteen years old. Ordinarily they will be Juniors in High School, though they could be older. . . but younger people are not eligible.” In addition, “a parish Confirmation program will include students who attend a Catholic High School as well as students who attend a Public High School.” Diocesan policy also states, “Full year and even two year programs are possible and recommended.” For this reason, our normal Confirmation program will generally require attendance in religious education classes or attendance at a Catholic high school the year prior to enrolling in the Confirmation program. If your child attended classes in a religious education program the previous year at another parish or Catholic school, please provide the St. Anne Director of Religious Education with an official letter from your former parish (from the pastor or the Director of Religious Education) or Catholic school principal stating that your child had attended classes. We expect excellent attendance in these sessions. The pastor reserves the right to evaluate candidates individually (for exceptions) who desire to enroll in the Confirmation program for immediate preparation for this Sacrament.
Any individual wishing to be confirmed must:
- provide a copy of his/her Baptism Certificate;
- perform at least fifteen (15) hours of church/community service;
- attend the required retreat(s);
- select a sponsor who is in good standing in the Catholic Church (no later than October 1). Preferably, this sponsor would be your baptismal sponsor or a member of St. Anne Catholic Church. If you select a sponsor from another parish, and that sponsor cannot meet with you regularly, then we recommend that you also select a member of St. Anne Catholic Church who can guide you during the process. Your sponsor must provide a letter from the pastor of his/her parish stating that he/she is a member in good standing and able to serve as a sponsor. This is a requirement and NOT optional.

The Confirmation catechists will discuss all of these requirements (and possibly more) with the Confirmation candidates during the year.

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The pastor may implement other requirements not listed in this policy. Likewise, he may change existing policy at his discretion. For more information about our Children’s Sacramental Preparation programs, call Becky Bryant at the parish office at (918) 251-4000. For detailed information on each Sacrament, refer to the Sacraments tab.