Sacraments

First Reconciliation

Preparing children for the celebration of sacraments is a sacred trust given to the entire Catholic Christian community.  Parents, teachers, and the parish community all share in providing students with the guidance and support they need as they anticipate celebration of Reconciliation and Eucharist for the first time.

Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist actually begins in first grade. First grade lays the foundation which is built upon by role play and a more in-depth examination of the sacraments in second grade. It is the policy of St. Joseph Parish that students attend first grade to be enrolled in the sacramental programs for second grade.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

The seven sacraments are outward signs instituted by Jesus Christ to impart grace. The Sacrament of Reconciliation continues Jesus’ ministry of forgiveness through this celebration of repentance, conversion, and reconciliation with God, with the community, and with one’s self. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a visible sign of God’s forgiveness.

First Reconciliation Parent Meeting: TBD

Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Students dress should reflect the sacredness of receiving the sacrament. Dress clothes are most appropriate. Sweatshirts, t-shirts and athletic wear are not appropriate attire for church.

On the evening of the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, children and their families will gather in church for a Reconciliation Service consisting of Scripture, song, group Examination of Conscience, followed by individual confessions.

Children will be seated with their families. The ceremony will last approximately 1-1/2 hours. This may be longer than small children can tolerate sitting patiently, so please plan accordingly.

At the time of individual confessions, there will be additional priests available.  Participants may choose to confess to one of our parish priests or to a visiting priest.

We speak loudest by our example – so it becomes significant to our children when we, as parents, participate with them in receiving the sacraments. It is our hope that parents will also celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

First Reconciliation Date: TBD

Preparing For First Holy Communion

At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration are the bread and wine that, by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ’s Body and Blood. Faithful to the Lord’s command, the Church continues to do, in his memory and until his glorious return, what he did on the eve of his Passion: “He took bread . . .” He took the cup filled with wine . . .”

By this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body.

Jesus gives himself to us in the Eucharist as spiritual nourishment because he loves us. God’s whole plan for our salvation is directed to our participation in the life of the Trinity, the communion of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our sharing in this life begins with our Baptism, when by the power of the Holy Spirit we are joined to Christ, thus becoming adopted sons and daughters of the Father. It is strengthened and increased in Confirmation. It is nourished and deepened through our participation in the Eucharist. By eating the body and drinking the Blood of Christ in the Eucharist we become united to the person of Christ through his humanity. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” (Jn 6:56). In being united to the humanity of Christ we are at the same time united to his divinity. Our mortal and corruptible natures are transformed by being joined to the source of life. “Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me” (John 6:57)

First Communion further initiates a child into the life of the Christian Community. Within that community the Person of Christ becomes real. His Presence is the source of unity; it is to this Presence a child will return again and again to find the living center of the community. To prepare our children for this important step in their life, the following procedures are to be observed:

Children will complete a program of studies designated to help them understand the Mass and the meaning of the Holy Eucharist.

Parents will attend the First Communion Sacramental preparation meeting held on: _______________ @ _______ in Church

Parents and children will attend Sunday Mass regularly so as to make the Eucharist an integral part of life in an ongoing basis

On the Day of First Communion

Parents and children should arrive at the Church by 9:30 a.m.

Children will be seated in the front of the Church with their class.

Parents will be seated in the area “reserved for parents.”

Grandparents, siblings, and other visitors may sit in any of the open seating areas.

More detailed information will be presented during the rehearsals for First Communion.

Take your new Communicant to Sunday Eucharist regularly. They are excited about being a receiving member of the church community. But they need you to get them to church and celebrate as a family, sharing that joy and excitement with them Sunday after Sunday.

First Communion Attire

The way we dress for any occasion says a lot about us and what we think about the event. There are some clothes that are appropriate for one occasion that may not be appropriate for another. First Communion is a very joyous event in our life. The dress code for First Communion should be taken very seriously. The following guidelines apply to all First Communicants.

Boys: Navy sport coat

White shirt (long or short sleeves)

Tie – Red, long, plain

Slacks – Khaki dress slacks

Shoes – Dress shoes

Girls: Dress – White, no longer than tea-length (half way between knees & floor). Strapless, halter or backless dresses and/or spaghetti straps are not acceptable attire for Church. Shoulders and bodices are to be covered; NO shawls, scarves or wraps. Anyone improperly attired will be given a sweater to wear during Mass.

Veil – White

Shoes – White

Socks, tights or bare legs are acceptable

No purses, gloves, corsages, prayer books or rosaries will be worn or carried.

First Communion Dates:  TBD

Required rehearsal date: TBD

Required rehearsal date: TBD

First Holy Communion Pictures: TBD

The Sacrament Of Confirmation

The Spirit Sent by Jesus.

Jesus promised to send the Spirit to be our advocate and helper. At Pentecost this Spirit was poured out on the first believers, making them witnesses full of faith and courage. At Baptism the Holy Spirit comes upon us, and at Confirmation we are anointed in the strength of this Spirit and sent to carry on Christ’s mission. The Spirit in us is the same Spirit who anointed Jesus to redeem the world and bring about the Kingdom of the Father through loving service. The Holy Spirit and His gifts help us to live our baptismal promises, grow in to the likeness of Christ, and share his mission. We are united with other Spirit-filled people in the Church, the Body of Christ. Together we spread the message of the Good News, we worship at the Eucharist, we support one another in community and we give service to those in need.

The faithful are strengthened in the Sacrament of Confirmation by being sealed with the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is a completion of the Sacrament of Baptism. The Spirit comes through the laying on of hands and the anointing with chrism by the bishop or archbishop. The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated during Mass after the Liturgy of the Word. The rite includes a renewal of baptismal vows, laying on of hands, anointing with oil and a sign of peace.

Confirmation at St. Joseph Catholic Church

The St. Louis Church’s decision to invite its young members in seventh/eighth grade to the sacrament of Confirmation is based primarily on two pastoral considerations: the readiness of the early adolescent, and also the availability and relationship of the parish community. While students may be academically ready before such time, they may not fully understand the sacrament and lack the maturity to make such an important decision. Therefore it is the policy of St. Joseph Parish that students must be at least 13 years of age by the date of confirmation to be accepted into the preparation classes for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Candidates requirements for Confirmation at St. Joseph Parish:

* A sincere desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation

* A spirit of cooperation and prayerful attitude toward receiving and living out one’s Confirmation

* A sufficient knowledge of the basic beliefs of the Catholic Faith as demonstrated through:

* Active participation in class

* Successful completion of all assignments

* Written/oral testing

* Attendance at weekly Mass

* Reception of the sacrament of reconciliation prior to the Confirmation ceremony

Candidates for Confirmation are expected to:

* participate at Sunday Mass

* make prayer a daily habit

* demonstrate a concrete knowledge of the Catholic faith

* attend a retreat

* attend the parent/sponsor/candidate meeting

* write a letter to the bishop requesting the sacrament

* write a report on the saint you have chosen as your  Confirmation name

*  perform a minimum of 15 hours service to family, parish and community

* Academy, private school or home schooled students will attend Confirmation preparation classes at St. Joseph with Fr. Holway in February.

Parent Information

Parents who desire their child to receive the sacrament are required to attend a confirmation preparation meeting.

Meeting dates:

______________ at ________ in the Fr. Pezold Room – this meeting is REQUIRED for parents.

OR

______________ at ________ in the Fr. Pezold Room.

Confirmation Dates for 2016:  TBD

Refer to the sacramental handbook you received at the parent meeting for more detailed information.

Confirmation Retreats: TBD

Students (and their SPONSORS*) from the following Classes will attend on this day:

__________________________________________________________

Confirmation Retreat: TBD

Students (and their SPONSORS*) from the following classes will attend on this day:

_________________________________________________________

NOTE: Students are expected to attend on the date assigned except for a compelling reason, which a request to change dates must be submitted in writing by __________ to the St. Joseph Religious Education Office, Attn: Mrs. Mary Doerr, CRE.

Attendance at a Confirmation retreat is MANDATORY to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Please plan accordingly.

Retreat

This day-long spiritual experience that we have planned for our Confirmation candidates will be conducted by the Archdiocese REAP  Team , assisted by our Catechists and teens from our Youth Group. The REAP Team consists of trained young men and women who share their faith and enthusiasm for Jesus through a variety of personal witnesses, activities, music, adoration and prayer.

The dress code is “modest casual” as the day will end with the Rite of Enrollment Ceremony in Church.. ALL electronic devices should be left at home. Lunch for students and Sponsors will be provided along with snacks in the afternoon.

The $50.00 registration fee will be used to pay the REAP Team stipend and to purchase food, materials for activities and t-shirts  and gifts for Confirmation students during the Rite of Enrollment.

Please send the fee along with the permission form to your student’s religion teacher by ________________.

Sponsors

Sponsors will be asked to attend with the Confirmation  Candidate the Retreat Day and the  Rite of Enrollment  Ceremony.

They will participate with the student at the Retreat and then during the Rite of Enrollment they will present the student as a formal candidate for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please inform Sponsor about this well in advance.

At the time of Confirmation, the Sponsor will stand by the student’s side. They will present the Candidate to the Presider and place their right hand on the student’s right shoulder during the anointing by the Bishop/Archbishop. The Sponsor is expected to be present in the life of the student during the continued growth in faith and as he/she faces the challenges of young adulthood.

*PLEASE NOTE: If a SPONSOR is out-of-town or cannot attend the Retreat Day then a Parent MUST attend the Retreat with the student.

Rite of Election Ceremony

The Rite of Enrollment Ceremony will be held in the afternoon of the Retreat Day that the Candidate is scheduled to attend..  This special Ceremony will be held in Church at 3:00 pm.

This Ceremony is for candidates, their parents and Sponsors. It reaffirms the candidates desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and offers the parents and Sponsors an opportunity to show their support for the candidate. The Ceremony consists of prayer, Scripture readings, music and inspiration.

Ceremonies and meetings area required element for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

This ceremony calls our candidates to stand and to be acknowledged for their desire to receive this Sacrament. It is a special time for them to be recognized as followers of Christ.

As with all times we are present at Church, attire should be modest and respectful for ALL in attendance.

A detailed description of dress for Retreat and Rite of Enrollment Ceremony is in the Confirmation Handbook.

Confirmation Ceremony: TBD

Students from the following classes will be Confirmed on this date:

______________________________________________

Confirmation Ceremony: TBD

Students from the following classes will be Confirmed on this date:

______________________________________________

Students are expected to attend Confirmation on the date assigned except for a compelling reason in which a request to change dates must be submitted in writing to the St. Joseph Religious Education Office, Attn: Mrs. Mary Doerr, CRE.

Confirmation Mass will begin promptly at 7:00 pm and candidates and their Sponsors are expected to be present NO LATER THAN 6:30 pm and should be seated in the reserved sections of Church NO LATER THAN 6:45 pm.

Dress Code

Proper Attire for The Sacrament of Confirmation

The way we dress for any occasion says a lot about us and what we think about the event. There are some clothes that are appropriate for one occasion that may not be appropriate for another. Confirmation is a very joyous event in our life. It is also a very mature and serious decision we make. The dress code for Confirmation is, therefore, to be taken very seriously, reflecting maturity and respect for this great event. The following guidelines apply to Confirmation candidates and their sponsors.

Women will wear a modest dress, suit, blouse, skirt or pants of any color. Halter or backless dresses, one shoulder dresses and/or spaghetti straps are not acceptable attire for church. Shoulders, bodices and stomachs must be covered, and necklines must be discrete.  Shawls, scarves and wraps are cumbersome and do not solve the bare shoulder and neckline concerns.  Skirts may not be tight or above the knee. Ladies will be modestly covered from their shoulders to their knees.  Open toe shoes or sandals are acceptable – but no flip-flops.

Men must wear dress slacks, dress shirt, tie and dress shoes (no tennis shoes) There are no color requirements. Cargo style pants and polo/golf style shirts are inappropriate.  Suit coats or blazers are most appropriate but not required.

Any Confirmation candidate who is inappropriately dressed will be asked to wear a Confirmation robe during the ceremony.

The sponsor’s dress code for Confirmation is to be taken very seriously, reflecting maturity and respect in coming before the Bishop/Archbishop to present the Candidate.  Modest clothing is most appropriate for Church.