REQUIREMENTS FOR RECEIVING SACRAMENTS OF BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, RECONCILIATION, AND FIRST HOLY EUCHARIST FOR THE YEAR 2009-2010

 

Baptism

  • Parents of children seven years and younger can arrange baptisms by telephoning the Parish Office at 428-5678.

 

  • Children eight years or older can arrange for baptismal preparation by telephoning the Catholic Faith Formation Office at 392-6362.  Children eight years or older will receive the Sacrament of Baptism during the Easter Vigil Mass through the initiation rites.  During this liturgy, the children will also receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist.  Preparation for these sacraments takes two years, possibly longer. The Director of Religious Education, in consultation with the Pastor, will determine whether the child is prepared to receive the sacraments.

 

Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist

  • Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist are celebrated generally in the third grade.  In order to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist, the children must be attending their third consecutive year of classes.  They must have successfully completed Beginning Year I and Beginning Year II , and be currently enrolled and regularly attending the Eucharist/Reconciliation class.

 

Confirmation

  • In September of 2005, the Bishop of Sacramento approved a new norm for the age of Confirmation: grade levels 7, 8 or 9.   Previous to this new norm, St. Anthony Parish administered the sacraments according to the Restored Order (or Restored Sequence) which is Baptism, Confirmation (generally second grade), then Reconciliation and First Eucharist (generally third grade). St. Anthony Parish adapted to the new diocesan norm in 2007 and Confirmation is now administered at the 7th grade level.  Therefore, we do not foresee having any students for Confirmation this year.  If we do have Confirmation candidates, they will have the opportunity to receive the necessary instruction here at St. Anthony Parish and celebrate the sacrament at one of our neighboring parishes.  St. Anthony will assist in this process.

 

  • Candidates must be in 7th grade or above and must have been enrolled the last two consecutive years in a faith formation program. 

 Out of Sequence

  • Children between the levels of fifth and twelfth grade who have been baptized, had previous religious education in the Catholic Faith, but who have not received one or another of their sacraments, are described as “out of sequence”.  If your child is out of sequence, he or she must register for the appropriate age level.  The family must indicate that the child is out of sequence and tell us the sacrament the child needs.  We will assure that the child is catechized in order to receive the sacrament. The child and his or her family must also schedule an appointment with the Director of Religious Education prior to, or within the first month of enrollment, to discuss the child’s preparation.

 

Rite of Christian Initiation  - A serious family commitment.

  • Children who are between the ages of 8 and 17 who have not been baptized must enroll in the “initiation process”.  The family may wish to schedule an appointment with the Director of Religious Education prior to enrollment to discuss the initiation process. Children who successfully completed the RCIA I program last year are to register for RCIA II.

 

  • Children who are between the ages of 8 and 17 who have been baptized but who have had little or no education of the Catholic Faith must also enroll in the “initiation process”.  The family may wish to schedule an appointment with the Director of Religious Education prior to enrollment to discuss the initiation process.  Children who successfully completed the RCIA I program last year are to register for RCIA II.

 

For All Sacraments

  • Children must be registered and must be regularly attending CFF classes since the beginning of the CFF year.

 

  • Registered children may not be prepared to receive a sacrament as a result of:
      • Missing more than four CFF sessions prior to the reception of the Sacrament
      • Consistent tardiness
      • Failure to attend Mass
      • Missing any scheduled mandatory events such as retreats, rites, or rehearsals
      • Their Parents’ or Legal Guardians’ failure to attend mandatory meetings or rehearsals

The Director of Religious Education, in consultation with the Pastor, will determine if your child is prepared to receive the Sacraments at Saint Anthony Parish.