Preparation for the Sacraments at St. Peter St. Joan of Arc Parish asks our parents to walk hand in hand with their children as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. We encourage our families to enroll their child in Family Catechesis consistently, age 3 through 8th grade, but require children to participate in a minimum of 2 years of the St. Peter St. Joan of Arc Journey with Christ program before receiving the Sacraments of First

Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Below is a detailed breakdown of requirements by Sacrament. If you have additional questions, please contact us at [email protected].

 

FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION FOR A CHILD BAPTIZED PRIOR TO AGE OF 7

If a child was baptized during this time period, they can begin their journey to the Sacraments in 1st grade.

A child must participate in 2 years of the St. Peter St. Joan of Arc Journey with Christ program before receiving the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion.

If a child has completed their first year of preparation at another Catholic School or Parish Religious Education Program, that will count towards their two years of preparation. A letter of verification of completion of the first year from that church will be required.

If a child begins their religious formation in 2nd grade or later, the two years of participation in the Journey with Christ program will still apply. The child, with the parent’s support, may be asked to do additional assignments (and/ or attend retreats) appropriate to their present age in their second year of participation.

First Reconciliation and First Communion will be received at the appropriate time in the child’s second year of preparation.

The child would continue their journey to Confirmation by participating each year in the Journey with Christ program, until the time of Confirmation.

 

FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION FOR A CHILD NOT BAPTIZED PRIOR TO AGE OF 7

If the child has not been baptized prior to the age of 7, they will need to participate in two years of St. Peter St. Joan of Arc’s Journey with Christ program. In addition, during their first year of preparation, they will attend, along with a parent, a Sacramental makeup class which meets monthly (September-April). The child, with parent’s support, may be asked to do additional assignments (and/or attend retreats) appropriate to their present age in their second year of participation.

 

If a child has completed their first year of preparation at another Catholic School or Parish Religious Education Program, that will count towards their two years of preparation. A letter of verification of completion of the first year from that church will be required.

Upon completion of their second year of Journey with Christ, the child now receives all three Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation at the same time.

The child would continue their faith journey by participating in the Journey with Christ program through 8th grade. If a child is older than 8th grade when the sacraments are received, they are encouraged to participate in our High School Youth Ministry.

 

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION BAPTIZED TEENS WHO HAVE RECEIVED FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION

A teen must be in at least 7th grade to start preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

A teen must participate in two years of the St. Peter St. Joan of Arc Journey with Christ program before receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.

If the teen begins in 8th grade, the two years of participation in Journey with Christ still applies.

 

If a teen has completed their first year of preparation at another Catholic School or Parish Religious Education Program, that will count towards their two years of preparation. A letter of verification of completion of the first year from that church will be required.

 

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION BAPTIZED TEENS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION

If a teen is in 7th or 8th grade, the two years of participation in Journey With Christ will apply.

The teen, with parent’s support, may be asked to do additional assignments (and/or attend retreats) appropriate to their present age during this two year period.

If a teen has completed their first year of preparation at another Catholic School or Parish Religious Education Program, that will count towards their two years of preparation. A letter of verification of completion of the first year from that church will be required

First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation will be received at the appropriate time in the teen’s second year of preparation.

 

OCIA FOR HIGH SCHOOL

If a teen is in 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade, they will participate in a year long OCIA program in order to prepare for any Sacraments they may need to receive, which include Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation.  OCIA stands for: Order of Christian Initiation for Adults.  This particular group will focus on gathering our high school aged teens together, who are either beginning or restarting their faith journey in 9th grade.