OVERVIEW

Christian initiation is celebrated in Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.  Through these visible actions, a young person is incorporated into the Church and shares its mission in the world: full initiation into the Church occurs by stages.

Sacramental Catechesis has traditionally been of two kinds: preparation for the initial celebration of the sacraments and continued enrichment by their reception.

Requirements for the reception of First Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation are determined by Canon Law:

• Age of reason (to be able to distinguish right from wrong)
• Proper knowledge of sacraments
• Emotional and spiritual preparation
• Approval by parent, pastor, catechist, Director/Coordinator

The policy of St. Adalbert Parish is that a child who will prepare for the sacraments (First Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation) must have had a minimum of one year of religious education immediately before entering the Sacramental Preparation Program.

FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST EUCHARIST

From The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 1457

According to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year."⁵⁶  Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession.⁵⁷  Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

From The Code of Canon Law, Can. 913 §1 & Can. 914

The administration of the Most Holy Eucharist to children requires that they have sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so that they understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity and are able to receive the body of Christ with faith and devotion. 

Can. 914.  It is primarily the duty of parents and those who take the place of parents, as well as the duty of pastors, to take care that children who have reached the use of reason are prepared properly and, after they have made sacramental confession, are refreshed with this divine food as soon as possible.  It is for the pastor to exercise vigilance so that children who have not attained the use of reason or whom he judges are not sufficiently disposed do not approach holy communion.

Preparation

Preparation for these sacraments starts in second grade and begins with the Rite of Enrollment in February.  First Reconciliation is celebrated in March.  First Eucharist is celebrated in early May.  The program consists of classes during the school day in the Academy of St. Adalbert or on Monday evenings in the PSR program.  In addition, there are parent sessions which are designed to provide background and information on both the sacraments and the textbook material.  This will enable parents to help prepare their children at home.  Parents are required to attend these sessions.  All children preparing to celebrate their First Eucharist must first be prepared to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1457).  In January, a letter is mailed to each family announcing the dates of all classes and parent sessions.

Registration

Registration for the Reconciliation and Eucharist programs takes place in the fall.  A separate letter is mailed in January indicating the date and time of the first Parent Session for the Sacramental Program.  Please call the office the last week in January if you do not receive this information.  A separate fee is charged for the Reconciliation/Eucharist Program, which is collected in the spring.

CONFIRMATION

From The Code of Canon Law, Can. 879

The sacrament of confirmation strengthens the baptized and obliges them more firmly to be witnesses of Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith.  It imprints a character, enriches by the gift of the Holy Spirit the baptized continuing on the path of Christian initiation, and binds them more perfectly to the Church.¹²⁵

From The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 1309

Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit - his actions, his gifts, and his biddings - in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life.  To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. the latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands.¹²⁵

Overview

As a Sacrament of Initiation, Confirmation is intimately related to Baptism and the Eucharist.  Christians are reborn in Baptism, strengthened by Confirmation, and sustained by the food of the Eucharist.  In Confirmation, young people are signed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and become more perfect images of their Lord.  This sacrament renews and strengthens their baptismal call to bear witness to Christ before the world and work eagerly for the building up of his body.  The candidate must be baptized.

As the primary educators of their children, parents are to be intimately involved in catechesis for Confirmation.  This will help them renew and strengthen their own faith, besides enabling them to set a better example for their children.

The policy of St. Adalbert Parish is that any student who seeks entrance into the Confirmation Program must:

• be in at least the eighth grade
• have had a minimum of one year of religious education immediately before entering the Sacramental Preparation Program
• have completed all essential religious education curriculum
• be currently enrolled in a Religious Education Program covering elementary or junior high curriculum

Any student in eighth grade or above who did not attend religious education classes before the last year will be required to take make-up classes.

It is our hope that the Confirmation Program will provide the following opportunities for each student:

• to examine his/her own personality
• to develop a spiritual relationship with Christ
• to understand the meaning of commitment and discipleship
• to become an active member of the Christian community
• to develop a deeper understanding of the Sacrament of Confirmation
• to participation in Apostolic Work which is encouraged as an integral part of the preparation

Letters are mailed to all eligible students and their parents/guardians giving the dates and times of the first parent meeting and the Rite of Enrollment Mass.  Students who wish to be considered as a candidate for the Sacrament of Confirmation must attend this Mass.  After the Mass, parents need to register for one of several meetings scheduled for the following week.  A separate fee is charged for the Confirmation Preparation Program which is discussed at the first meeting.