As followers of Jesus Christ, we share in the mission of proclaiming the Good News through our words and actions. To do this, we must possess a mature faith. As adult Catholics, we must be men and women of prayer who are grounded in a sound, strong, and deep understanding of our faith. Examples of some offerings include Bible study groups, Catholics Returning Home, and guest speakers.
The parish community serves as the primary ministers of the Christian initiation process. The ministers include sponsors, Godparents, hospitality, catechists, and liturgical ministers. Together with the involvement of the parish community, the catechumens and candidates became aware of their baptismal commitment to be rooted in the ministry of Jesus and to respond to His call to live out the gospel mandate in their daily lives.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
Baptismal preparation is for parents who wish to pass their faith on to their young child. Baptism is the external sign celebrating the entrance of a person into the total Christian Community as well as into our St. Mary parish family.
Our marriage preparation program is for engaged couples wishing to receive the sacrament of marriage. In the sacrament of matrimony, the couple is promised that God’s love will be effective in their reciprocal love for one another. Because our faith tradition views marriage in this light, it is of the utmost importance that couples planning to enter this permanent bond be adequately prepared.
First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist are completed in second grade through our Sunday morning Religious Education program or through Religion classes for St. Mary School families. The Sacrament of Confirmation is completed in eighth grade and sessions are held on Sundays. There is also Adult Confirmation preparation held each year in which adults prepare to be confirmed on Pentecost Sunday.
We are dedicated to promoting excellence in catechesis, that is, the lifelong Christian formation of the total person in heart, mind, and will. We are dedicated to encouraging and preparing young people to live Christ’s message through formation in education, faith, prayer, worship, community, moral development, and service. Our Religious Education program has several options to help families pass their faith on to their children, please visit our Religious Education page for more information.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY
During Sunday 11:30 a.m. mass, children 3-years-old through Holy Communion age are dismissed with instructors to read and discuss God’s Word and then return to the congregation at the presentation of the gifts.