As Catholics we believe that Sacraments are sacred moments through which
we experience God’s loving grace. Their nature and centrality in our
faith call those who will be celebrating them to be sufficiently prepared
to understand and celebrate them fully.
Our sacramental programs focus on not only preparing the students for the
celebration of the particular sacrament, but on the day after as well.
Too often, we focus on the big celebration — the attention, the parties,
the visitors — but the sacraments are more than a single celebration:
they are sacred moments of God’s loving grace in the life of the child
or youth and in the life of the community giving witness. It is this grace
which exists beyond the celebration to call both the individual and the community
to an on-going deepening of our relationship with God and reflecting Christ’s
peaceful presence within us to others. And it is this grace that we emphasize
in our preparatory programs.
In addition to the regular registration form, families who have children
who are preparing for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and/or
Confirmation should complete the “Addendum for Sacramental Preparation
Programs located on the last page of this resource.
Reconciliation / Eucharist
The Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are inseparably connected
to God’s love and to each other. As such, children are prepared to
celebrate both sacraments over the course of 2nd and 3rd grade. Covering
the preparatory materials over two years allows us to ensure that the children
have an adequate understanding of the transformational nature of the sacraments.
The first year of the program introduces the children to the meaning of the
sacraments while the second year challenges them to move into a deeper understanding
of how the sacraments call them to live in the world.
The children will celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation in the Fall of
their third grade year, and the sacrament of Eucharist in the Spring of their
third grade year.
Since the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are foundational to
the Catholic faith, ANC feels it is important for children to experience
both the second and third grade program. Children who are beginning their
preparation for Reconciliation and Eucharist will be placed in second
grade unless they can provide confirmation that they have attended a
second grade
program elsewhere.
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Confirmation (youth)
The Sacrament of Confirmation completes the Sacraments of Initiation begun
at baptism. Preparation for Confirmation is a journey of faith between
the ninth and twelfth grades. While most students complete the journey
in two years (celebrating Confirmation in tenth grade) others may choose
to spend three or four years on the journey. Confirmation should not
be considered a means to an end but rather a time for high school students
to meaningfully explore their faith, find answers to things they are
unsure
of, and gather “tools” which they can continue using into adulthood.
Over the course of their journey, participants will:
- Participate in a total of eight (8) Faith
In Life doctrinal sessions.
- Participate in the Liturgical Planning seminar (offered in Spring).
- Participate in the Gifts of the Spirit seminar offered in (Spring).
- Attend a Confirmation retreat.
- Complete a set number of service projects/hours.
Students attending Pius
X High School (or similarly accredited Catholic programs) will be credited
with five (5) seminars at the end of their ninth
grade year.
In addition Pius retreats do not fulfill the retreat requirement and
service hours do not necessarily fulfill the service requirement.
If you or your child is planning on entering the Confirmation preparation
program, please attend the youth/parent orientation on Sunday, September
20th at 1:00 PM in the ANC Auditorium.
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