Sacrament Preparation Guidelines
Sacraments are expressions of faith and essential to what it means to live as a Catholic Christian. Our sacrament preparation processes are created to be opportunities for children and parents to grow in faith and learn or deepen their understanding of the sacrament and the graces received in the sacramental ritual and how they can help one to live as disciples of Jesus.
Families should be registered members of one of the Family of Four Parishes. Participation in sacrament preparations by members of other parishes must be accompanied by a letter of permission from the pastor of their home parish.
Sacramental preparation is separate from the regular faith formation process for children and youth provided in a Catholic school or faith formation setting.
Parental Role
At their child’s baptism, parents agreed to be the primary educators of their child in the faith by word and example. Therefore, parents are expected to work in partnership with the Church to help their children prepare to celebrate the sacraments.
- To participate in a sacrament preparation process, complete involvement of the child and his/her parent(s) is mandated as required in each preparation process.
- All parent meetings incorporated into sacrament preparation processes are mandatory. If a parent cannot attend, a delegate such as a grandparent, uncle, aunt, etc. may be sent to receive the necessary information.
- The Faith Formation Program will advertise the sacrament schedule in their calendars and update process information in the bulletin, newsletters and website. It is the parent’s responsibility to read these communications and keep informed as to when a process begins and all the requirements within the process.
Mass Attendance
The Eucharistic celebration is the “source and summit” of our faith. At Mass “we participate in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, that is, in his dying and rising which is made present for us in the Eucharistic sacrifice.” (USCCA Ch 17) Through our participation in this paschal process, we are transformed with the bread and wine into the Body of Christ to bring Christ’s message of peace and love into the world. To be adequately prepared to celebrate the sacraments, children and youth should attend Mass weekly.
Proof of Baptism
Proof of baptism is required and must be turned in at registration for a sacramental preparation process. Proof of baptism of the candidate is required and consists of original baptismal certificate or photocopy. All original documents will be returned. Copies from other parishes may be sent directly to the Faith Formation Office at Ss. Peter and Paul; 2491 N. Murray Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211.
Individuals baptized in an accepted non-Catholic Christian ecclesial community will make a profession of faith when preparing for the sacraments.
First Reconciliation and First Communion
Since the time of your child’s baptism, your family has been striving to raise your child to love God and neighbor. He or she has now reached an age where they are ready to receive their next sacrament of initiation. The Family of Four Parishes are committed to encouraging your child’s continuing faith journey. Parents and entire families play an important role in the sacramental formation of children; the First Sacraments Preparation Program is intended to not only prepare the child, but the family as well. As the primary educators of the faith, parents are encouraged to be actively involved in the preparation process: modeling reverence, discussing the sacraments, and attending meetings.
Immediate sacramental preparation takes place in the context of the parish community; therefore, the First Sacraments Preparation Program consists of several components including:
- Parent sessions
- Parent & child sessions
- Family enrichment activities to be completed at home
- Classroom visits by Fr. Arul & Fr. Tim
- Regular and on-going catechesis provided through Catholic East Elementary or the Faith Formation Program.
Sacramental Preparation Notes
- Family participation in the sacraments of reconciliation and Eucharist are critical parts of the preparation process. Attending Sunday Mass is crucial to assist children in their understanding of the sacraments.
- In order to prepare for these sacraments, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee recommends that your son/daughter receives at least two years (1st & 2nd grade) of faith formation. If your child has not been involved in a parish program or in attendance at a Catholic school prior to 2nd grade, please contact the Director of Family Faith Formation so we can make appropriate arrangements with you.
Please register online at https://tinyurl.com/faithformation2627. If you have questions, please contact Heather Warner, Director of Family Faith Formation, at hwarner@ffpmke.org or 414-962-2443.
Youth Confirmation
Along with baptism and Eucharist, confirmation is a sacrament of Christian initiation. It represents a sealing of baptism and the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit. The confirmation program is designed to help our young people to explore, deepen and strengthen the seeds of faith they were given at baptism. The candidates themselves are choosing the Catholic faith as a way of life.
The preparation process is designed for 11th grade students. The purpose of the program is as follows:
- To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ
- To encourage them to participate in the life, mission, and work of the Church
- To promote their spiritual growth
The candidate must:
- Participate in two years of formal religious education in either parochial school or a parish religious education program in 9th and 10th grade
- Be knowledgeable about the basic teachings of our faith
- Participate FULLY in the parish confirmation program
- Attend and participate in class and attend Mass on Sundays
- Participate in the service requirements
- Participate in the confirmation retreat
Please register online at https://tinyurl.com/teensfaithformation2627. Additional details will be given at the parent/student orientation September 22 at St. Rita. Any questions can be directed to Nino Rebholz, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, at nrebholz@ffpmke.org or 414-271-6577.
**Regular attendance is required in order to be eligible to receive the respective sacraments. Whether a student is eligible to receive the sacrament due to excessive tardiness and/or absenteeism will be determined by the Director of Family Faith Formation and/or the Director of Youth Ministry.
Order of Christian Initiation for Youth & Children
The Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) is for children between the Ages of 7 and 17, and who have reached 2nd grade age, whether baptized or unbaptized. Children preparing to receive the sacraments they have missed since baptism, or to join the Catholic Church through baptism, will attend sacramental preparation sessions in addition to Christian formation classes on a regular basis beginning in September and continuing through the Easter Season. The process enables children to enter into a relationship with God and share in the life of their identity as Children of God. The importance of weekly Mass will be stressed as will understanding the parts of the Mass.
Each family comes to the process with different needs. The children will be of various ages and have had different levels of previous instruction. Families will meet with the Director of Faith Formation to determine the preparatory needs of the family. Every child will need a sponsor/godparent. The sponsor/godparent will be someone other than a parent, who will support the child in his or her Catholic journey. The sponsor must be a baptized and confirmed Catholic, who is over the age of 16, and is in good standing with the Catholic Church. The sponsor will fill out a sponsor registration form.
