Sacramental Preparation

 

It is important to come to an understanding of the sacraments as they are celebrated today.  Some of us need to let go of pre-conceived images from our own childhood.  Much has changed – yet a great deal remains the same.  This letter serves as a general overview of the processes for children, youth and adults who prepare to celebrate these sacraments. 

 

Sacramental preparation is not just the immediacy of getting ready to celebrate a particular sacrament. It is the commitment – re-commitment actually – to living a sacramental life in the Church.  It goes beyond the logistical mechanics of the particular rite and addresses the outline of a lifestyle reflective of belief in God.  It is part of a lifelong process of growth in relationship with Jesus Christ.  Sacramental preparation is something to be taken very seriously.  Ultimately, preparing for sacraments often leads people into a daily lifestyle change, not just for a short time span but also for the duration of their lives.  Serious business indeed.

 

Keep in mind that a sacramental life is an ongoing process.  Let’s first address the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist (in that order).  Through our baptism we are welcomed into the faith community.  Confirmation is a completion of, or closure to, Baptism.  Eucharist is the epitome of initiation.

 

Within the diocese of Rochester, there is a focus on an individual's "readiness" to celebrate a sacrament as opposed to celebrating sacraments at a specific age. Readiness is a complex, involved set of criteria,  that help determine (discern) whether or not an individual joins in the process of immediate  preparation for one or more sacraments.  Readiness is where we emphasize very strongly the need for not only a potential candidate but the family as well to be strongly in alignment with canonical and diocesan guidelines.  It  is after you read the following about being ready that you can address – if needed – any areas in your faith lives that might need some updating.  Then when you come forward for family readiness interviews in  July & August of each year  you can feel confident that you are truly ready.

There are three general areas of “Readiness” that we want people to be aware of and attentive to.  (There are also specific areas of each individual sacrament.  These will be addressed in the particular preparation programs for each sacrament)  First is WORSHIP. Second is FORMATION(education).  Third is SERVICE/COMMITMENT.

 

Worship at its very basis level involves the active participation of the family, with the faith community, in the celebration of Eucharist at Mass on at least a weekly basis.  Expectations are that there would be participation as well on Holy Days, special devotions, seasonal celebrations and weekdays when possible.  The family, whenever possible, should utilize other opportunities for worship that are available.

 

Formation is the ongoing (lifelong) process of learning age-appropriate material that deals with our religion.  Education is very different from worship.  Education deals with the “knowing” of details of our collective history, present and future.  It focuses on learning the ins and outs of our Scriptural roots, our sacramental processes and our teaching magisterium.  Formation lets us grow in knowledge (and hopefully wisdom) at levels compatible with our particular stage in life.  Formation should never end.

 

Service is perhaps the most overlooked part of our Baptismal calling.  All members of the faith community should be in and of service to the parish.  Service and volunteering with other groups is commendable and encouraged.  We should not let those efforts be all that we do.  We have an inherent obligation to serve within our parish.  Are we aware of all the opportunities to do so?  Are our children encouraged to be part of service – ministry in some cases – within the parish? Do parents and guardians serve in parish-based service?

 

Preparation for Sacraments(a final note)

All sacramental preparation is to be parish-based. It is separate from the catechesis of the Catholic School and Religious Education classrooms.  While grade-level instruction can teach about sacraments, the depth of preparation required can only be achieved through a parish program presented uniformly to all candidates in the parish.  As the primary educators of their children, parents have the right and responsibility to be integrally involved in the sacramental preparation process.  Their attendance and participation is crucial to their children’s sacramental development.

We begin our sacramental preparation process with parent meetings and readiness interviews in the spring and summer with the celebration of sacraments beginning in the fall and running into the spring of the next year. If you are planning on having your child celebrate any sacrament please contact Fr. Leo or Sr. Edna at the parish center for further information. Please note that due to the amount of individuals celebrating sacraments each year and the scope of sacramental preparation, we must attempt to adhere to registration deadlines. Information about the beginning of sacramental preparation is placed in the bulletin in early spring each year, so please make sure to pick up a bulletin at mass or see our weekly bulletin in the "About IC" page of this site.

 

   

THANK YOU!

Fr. Leo Reinhardt