The Sacramental life of our parish is our deepest expression of who we are. All sacraments are community celebrations of our encounters with the risen Lord in the most important moments of our lives. Since sacraments are so important to us as Catholic Christians, we take them very seriously and prepare to receive them carefully.
Each time we receive a sacrament, we respond in a fresh way to Jesus' call to discipleship. Therefore, the decision to receive a sacrament belongs to the individual. However, in the case of children, readiness to receive the sacrament is discerned by the child in concert with his/her parents and the priests of the parish. Careful preparation, catechesis, and prayerful attention to growth in faith must precede the decision to receive a sacrament for the first time. Accordingly, the parish provides programs for preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation and Matrimony. Policies and programs which meet diocesan and parish requirements for the reception of individual sacraments are summarized in this section.
Children who are 7 years or older and have not yet been baptized are invited to participate in the CICCA (Christian Initiation for Children) Process at OLMC. See our Initiation page for information.
Upcoming Baptism Dates
Watch the bulletin for upcoming baptism dates.
To register, please contact Christa Blomstrom at cblomstrom@olmc.org
or 595-0385, ext. 119
Older children who have not attended regular faith formation and wish to complete the Sacraments of Initiation are invited to participate in the CICCA (Christian Initiation for Children) process at OLMC. See our Initiation page for information.
First Eucharist preparation begins in the winter and is usually celebrated during the Easter Season.
First Reconciliation preparation begins in the fall and is usually celebrated during the Advent Season.
The confirmand or candidate for Confirmation is defined as a baptized adolescent who has received the
Sacraments or Baptism and the Eucharist, and who participates in the parish's Confirmation-preparation
program.
The program will be in three phases throughout the year.
Are you an active practicing Catholic who missed the Sacrament of Confirmation? We have ongoing formation programs through which adults can prepare and celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. This process is for Catholic baptized adults who celebrated their First Eucharist. The process takes approximately three months. Consider completing your Sacraments of Initiation and call Janet Hassan, 595-0385, ext. 120 or jhassan@olmc.org for further information.
The marriage preparation program is for couples planning to celebration the Sacrament of Marriage in our parish or out of town. Please begin this process a minimum of six months before your scheduled marriage date.
The first step is to attend a MARRIAGE INFORMATION EVENING. At this meeting you will receive a booklet with all the information needed in planning for the Sacrament of marriage. To register for a Marriage Information Session call or e-mail Susan Lorentz at 874-4023 or twokidsatusc@yahoo.com.
This program is for teens and children above the age of 7 who have never been baptized, or were baptized in another faith and wish to prepare to join the Catholic Church. The program is also for upper grade Catholic students who have not attended religious education and wish to complete the Sacraments of Initiation. Students attend classes and participate in the Rites of Initiation with the R.C.I.A. community. For further information, please contact Janet Hassan, 595-0385, ext. 120 or jhassan@olmc.org.
The R.C.I.A. process is for those interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. For those who choose, the process leads to full initiation in the Catholic Church through the celebration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. Classes are held on Tuesday evenings approximately three times a month from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. The journey varies according to individual needs and Sacraments are celebrated throughout the year. This process is intended for: Unbaptized persons; those Baptized in another faith tradition or Catholics who have not been fully catechized in their faith and wish to complete the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. Consider this important journey of faith. Contact Janet Hassan for further information, 595-0385, ext. 120 or jhassan@olmc.org.
Re-Member Church is the process of welcoming back Catholics who have been away from the active practice of the Catholic Faith. The purpose of the program is to help those returning become active members of the church again. The process allows participants the time to respond to God's call and think about what kept them away from the church. Participants attend sessions allowing them to update their Catholic faith as an adult. The Re-Member program also provides a community to share the journey with them. For further information, please contact Janet Hassan, 595-0385, ext. 120 or jhassan@olmc.org.
This program assists and ministers to divorced members within our parish community. An annulment is a statement proclaiming that a marriage was not valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church. The annulment process is a process of story telling, gathering information, sharing and healing. Annulment advocates educate and encourage the divorced as they guide and assist them through the annulment process. For further information, call the parish office, 595-0385, ext. 120 or jhassan@olmc.org.
The Sacrament of Anointing is the proper sacrament for those Christians whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age. One seeks the Sacrament for support in struggle against illness and to seek healing from Christ. Those who desire to celebrate this sacrament should contact one of the priests.
Any one of the priests will be more than happy to discuss religious life and ministry with anyone who wishes to know more about this exciting vocation. Please feel free to contact one of them via phone (595-0385) or e-mail at kwood@olmc.org.