Sacraments at St. Stephen's Catholic Church

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.


BAPTISM OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Baptisms for infants and children (through age 6) is celebrated at scheduled liturgies throughout the year. Parents should be registered in the parish and active in the Sacramental life of the parish. Preparation classes are held prior to each celebration. These sessions are held in the homes of team members for the group of parents participating at the same liturgy.

Other youth and teens are invited to participate in our C.I.C.C.A. process, designed for those 7-17 years of age who: are not baptized, baptized in another faith and wishing to become a member of the Catholic faith and older children who have not received First Eucharist. To register for Baptism, please contact the church office.


FIRST EUCHARIST

First Eucharist preparation process is a parish based program. Children who have been enrolled and attending either a Catholic school OR Catholic religious education in their parish are eligible to begin this process of preparation. Religious Education attendance is necessary both for the current year of preparation and for the year previous to the preparation year. First Eucharist program is family based and indeed relies on the family to be the primary educators of the faith for their children. Children and parents begin meeting in the Fall with First Eucharist planned for the season of Easter. "Celebrating Our Faith" is the series used at this time. The book has eight lessons based on the order of the Mass. The sessions conclude with a morning of retreat scheduled as a culmination of the lessons learned. Parents are an integral part of this process and are asked to help in many ways. In order to assist parents, parent sessions are part of the preparation process and parents are expected to attend these sessions. For further information, please contact the church office.


FIRST RECONCILIATION

Reconciliation preparation is a family based process. The entire family joins together and helps to make ready for celebration of this Sacrament. Children must be enrolled in Parish Religious Education OR Parish Catholic School during the preparation year and the year previous. The curriculum used is called "Reconciliation" and is based on the catechism with eight lessons of prayer and discussion of sorrow and forgiveness. Preparation sessions are from the Fall of the year with celebration of the Sacrament in Advent. The celebration is a communal one with private confession. Parents are given opportunity to join in individual confession if they desire.   Please contact the church office.


CONFIRMATION

Preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation takes place through a two-year parish program. The pre- confirmation year is open to 10th and 11th graders. Students attend small group sessions in the home of their catechist and come together once a month for large sessions. The confirmation year is open to 11th and 12th graders who have completed their pre-confirmation year. Students attend small group sessions in their catechist's home and monthly large group sessions. In addition they participate in ministry to the parish and community. An overnight retreat is included in this program.

This Sacrament is celebrated during the Easter season. Please contact the church office.


ADULT CONFIRMATION

Adults wishing to be confirmed are invited to participate in the Adult Confirmation Process. This process begins in September and the Sacrament is celebrated at the Easter Vigil.   For additional information, please contact the church office.


MARRIAGE PREPARATION

The marriage preparation program is designed for couples who are planning the Sacrament of Matrimony within the next six months. A team of married couples present the program providing the engaged couples with a caring community to help them prepare for their marriage.

Arrangements for these classes should be made after you have contacted the priest with whom you will be working.


ANNULMENT MINISTRY

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, please contact the church office.


ANOINTING OF THE SICK

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.