SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR CHILDREN
Specific sessions are designed to provide information and support to parents as primary religious educators of their child.
- Baptism for Infants & Children Birth – 7 years old
- First Reconciliation & First Communion Preparation
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC)
BAPTISM FOR INFANTS & CHILDREN BIRTH – 7 YEARS OLD
Baptism is a sacrament in which a person is united to Jesus Christ to partake in his Resurrected Life. Through baptism, a person is also united to the Body of Christ, that is the Church. It is for these reasons that baptism is also called a sacrament of initiation as it initiates a life forever marked by God’s grace and initiates the baptized into the community of believers.
For infants or children seven years and younger, Baptism is chosen for them by their parents or guardians. Later, these children make that choice on their own in the sacrament of Confirmation. Since what is begun in Baptism and affirmed in Confirmation is a whole life, not a solitary act, there are special people, godparents, that parents also choose to walk with their children as models and examples of the Catholic Faith.
The decision to have one’s child baptized is an important one because it starts something that is not finished on earth, but has as its only end in Heaven. As a parent, you are invited to prayerfully consider what it is that you are asking for in having your child baptized.
For more information or to have your child baptized at our parish, please contact the parish office at (714) 962-3333 or at ssj@ssj.org.
FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION
The Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is part of a two-year journey, typically beginning when a child enters the first grade. In order to participate in these Sacraments, a child must be Baptized in a Roman Catholic Church prior to the age of 7 years old. The Sacrament of Reconciliation must be completed before the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.
In order to prepare and understand these Sacraments more fully, children in the Sacramental Preparation program will be required to be enrolled in a faith formation class at Saints Simon & Jude parish or attend Saints Simon & Jude Catholic School. Additionally, children will need to attend five meetings outside of the regular faith formation classes at Saints Simon & Jude parish or Saints Simon & Jude Catholic School. One parent is required to attend and be active participants with their child(ren) at all of these meetings.
SACRAMENT PREPARATION CLASSES (IN-PERSON):
Workshops:
- 1st Workshop: Oct 22 @ 10:30am-11:15am OR Oct 25 @ 4-5pm (Colman Hall)
- 2nd Workshop: Jan 27 @ 1-2pm (Church)
- 3rd Workshop: Mar 17 @ 10:30am-11:15am OR Mar 20 @ 4-5pm (Colman Hall)
- 4th Workshop: Apr 20 @ 1-2pm (Church)
In Between Classes:
“Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues.” (CCC 2223)
In between the meetings, children and parents must complete four to five lessons from the Sacramental Preparation program that has been provided to each family. These lessons will include a parent guide to assist in implementing this program. These lessons are discussed at the next meeting. They are important in the faith formation of your child and their understanding of the Sacraments they are receiving. More information on the specifics of the Sacraments (i.e. dates and times) will be announced at a later date.
Please read through our Sacrament Preparation Information
Contact:
Rhea Moreno
Director of Early Childhood Faith Formation & Family Ministry
rmoreno@ssj.org
(714) 794-1871
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR CHILDREN (RCIA)
Our community welcomes families with unbaptized children desiring initiation into the Catholic Church. This process offers sacrament preparation including opportunities for children to learn about the Christian way of life and our Catholic faith while preparing for the Rite of Christian Initiation during the Easter season. Families interested in Christian Initiation for their children can contact the parish Faith Formation office for information regarding this process.
Two years of regular attendance in religious instruction is required as part of the preparation process. Specific sessions are designed to provide information and support to parents as primary religious educators of their children.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (RCIA)
For information on adult sacrament preparation, please click here.
Contact:
(714) 962-3333
ssj@ssj.org
