Sacramental Preparation

Baptism: For parents desiring to have their infant / child (6 years or younger) baptized, we offer baptism preparation. We are currently using an on-line certificate program, 'Belonging', as well as a subsequent in-person gathering. For more information or to schedule the date and Mass for your child's Baptism after completing the formation session, please contact Sharon Katzman by email  or by calling the Religious Formation Office at 757-479-9897.

Baptisms take place at all Masses on the first full weekend of each month except during Advent and Lent.

Note to Parents: Godparents join you in presenting your child for Baptism, and in helping your son or daughter to lead a Christian life in harmony with the sacrament. The Rite of Baptism for Children asks the godparents: “Are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian parents?”¹.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that godparents “must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized child on the road of Christian life"². In selecting a godparent, you should consider carefully a person’s capacity to provide this help. (One godparent is required for Baptism, although two may be chosen. In the case of two godparents, they must be male and female ³.)

In order to be a godparent, according to Church law,⁴ a person must:

1. Be at least 16 years old (A pastor may grant an exception to the age requirement for a just cause.⁵)

2. Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist ⁶ (A member of the Eastern Orthodox Church may serve as a godparent as long as a Catholic godparent has also been chosen.⁷)

3. Not be bound by a canonical penalty

4. Be leading a life of faith befitting the role to be undertaken (for example, regularly attending Sunday Mass; if married, be in a marriage recognized by the Catholic Church)

5. Not be a parent of the child

The above criteria reflect the Church’s view that living the faith is taught best by example. Your chosen godparent is asked to testify that he or she meets these qualifications by completing the Godparent Attestation Form for Infant Baptism. Please provide the godparent with this document in a timely manner so that it can be returned to the parish before the celebration of the sacrament. 

Baptism Godparent / Sponsor requirements and Godparent/Sponsor Attestation Form - CLICK HERE

¹ Rite of Baptism for Children, no. 40, etc.
² Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1255
³ Code of Canon Law, canon 873.
⁴ Code of Canon Law, canons 874 §1, 893 §1; Rite of Baptism for Children, Christian Initiation: General Introduction, no. 10.
⁵ Code of Canon Law, canon 874 §1, 2°.
⁶ Code of Canon Law, canon 874 §3.
⁷ Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism (1993), no. 98b.

 First Reconciliation and Eucharist: Normally conducted in 2nd grade for children whose parents have discerned that they are ready to participate in Mass and receive the Eucharist.

Parents know that their child is ready to begin preparation when:

• The child has been baptized and reached the age of reason (7 years old)
• When the child knows the difference between right and wrong
• When the child can distinguish between mistakes or accidents and deliberate wrong doing
• The child can express sorrow for sin
• The child knows how to forgive others
• The child prays at home
• The child participates in Mass
• The child can understand Jesus is the one who forgives
• The child shows interest in receiving Holy Communion
• The child has a sense of belonging to the Catholic community
• The child can understand that Jesus loves and cares for him or her
• The child understand that he or she is to care for others.

For those attending Catholic School, the diocesan requirement is that preparation for and reception of the two Sacraments be conducted at their home parish. If the child does not attend Catholic School they must be attending Religious Formation. Registration for the 2022~2023  year is now OPEN.

The Sacramental formation for both Reconciliation and First Holy Communion will be in a retreat format. The retreats will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will include a snack but not lunch. Parents and children must both attend the retreats. First Reconciliation is conducted on a Saturday morning in Lent. For more information contact our Religious Formation Office.

Important Dates for First Reconciliation and First Communion:

Reconciliation Parent-child session 1: October 19, 2022
Reconciliation Parent-child session 2: December 3, 2022
Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation: TBD
First Eucharist Parent-child session 1: March 13, 2023
First Eucharist Parent-child session 2: April 22, 2023
Celebration of First Communion: May 7, 2023

Confirmation Preparation for Adults: Any adults desiring to receive this sacrament of initiation, please contact Deacon Mike Johnson at 479-1010 or by Email .

Confirmation Preparation for Young People (teens in 10th grade and above). They must be participating in our Teen formation program or be attending Catholic High School.

​The 2022-2023 Confirmation session dates (All Rising 10th Graders and above)

Marriage Preparation: Marriage is a special Sacrament between a husband and wife who enter an intimate and exclusive partnership as baptized christians and intend to permanently be united by their total, and unconditional love.

Those couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage need to allow 6 months for the planning process. They should be registered members of the parish and should contact the parish office at 757-479-1010 to make an appointment with the pastor before establishing a wedding date.