Sacrament Preparation for the Older Child: Year One
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For students entering Religious Education for the first time and are in 3rd grade or above in school, whether or not they are baptized.
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Program OverviewStudents in their first year of sacrament preparation and who are in the third grade or above in school receive instruction on the basics of the Catholic faith. They may or may not be baptized. Sessions typically begin in October and end in May.
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Program Requirements
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To enroll parents must provide a copy of the child’s birth and baptism certificate.
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This is to ensure your child is enrolled in the proper classes.
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Upon celebrating your child's sacrament, the certificates must be printed and officially recorded as to how your child's name is printed on his or her Baptismal Certificate.
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Children attend a total of 26 sessions throughout the catechetical year.
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To successfully complete the year children may have no more than 5 absences.
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Any more than 5 absences and the child will be dropped from the program.
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All students are required to attend a Protecting God’s Children® course conducted during regular class time.
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Parents sign and agree to a Code of Conduct.
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Required Parent/Child MeetingsAll parents should be attending Mass on a weekly basis. Parents and Child(ren) are required to attend four family sessions called People of God. All four sessions are required.
Non attendance may require receipt of the sacrament to be postponed in their second year. -
St. Paul the Apostle......has a two year process for receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist for the older BAPTIZED child:
- First Year—basic faith formation. Learning prayers: Sign of the Cross, Hail Mary, Our Father, Glory Be.
- Second Year—for those in 4th grade or above in school. Focus is Reconciliation (confession) and Eucharist (First Communion). Child learns the Act of Contrition and is evaluated for readiness to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Child/Parent attend a Reconciliation Retreat and a Eucharist Retreat. There are two ceremonies; one for the Sacrament of Reconciliation followed by First Communion several months later.
If your child is NOT BAPTIZED you will receive instruction following the successful completion of their first year. Baptism typically takes place in the summer/fall months.
St. Paul the Apostle has ongoing faith formation for all grade levels for those who wish to continue their spiritual journey with Christ.