Sacraments

Parents are the first and best teachers of their children in the ways of the faith, and we depend on their input as to the child’s readiness. In accord with the policies of the Diocese of Phoenix:

Children who are 7 or older and not yet Baptized are to be Baptized, Confirmed and celebrate their First Eucharist in the same ceremony. Those who were Baptized in another Christian Denomination will be Confirmed and celebrate their First Eucharist in the same ceremony. (Contact Roberta for the Family RCIA program.)
Children who are Baptized (Catholic) are to prepare for and celebrate their First Reconciliation in the 2^nd grade.
Children who are Baptized (Catholic) are to prepare for and celebrate Confirmation and First Eucharist in the same ceremony in 3^rd grade.
Children who are Baptized (Catholic) and are older than the grade levels stated above, should prepare for and celebrate First Reconciliation in one year, and then prepare for and celebrate Confirmation and First Eucharist in the same ceremony in the subsequent year.
Children who are Baptized, and who have celebrated First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, but who have not yet been Confirmed, will be prepared as follows:

Fall 2006, we will prepare all who are in junior high, and their siblings in fourth or fifth grades, and any high school student or adult who have not yet been confirmed, as well as all third grade children.
Fall 2007, and years after, we will prepare all third grade children, and all others in any grade or adults who have not yet been confirmed.

Diocesan policy requires one year of catechesis prior to beginning preparation for First Reconciliation, and two years prior to First Eucharist or Confirmation. Therefore, children should be enrolled in one of the formation options (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Sunday Family Catechesis, Junior High Alive, or Life Teen) in addition to participating in Sacramental preparation. The schedule of Sacramental Preparation sessions will be published by the end of August.

Reception of all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist) does not mean the child has completed religious formation. These sacraments are referred to as “Initiation” because they are the beginning of the formation in the Catholic faith. It is important to continue their faith formation through their years of elementary, jr. high, and high school, and well into adulthood.