|
|
|
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
The preparation process for the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation and Matrimony includes the participation of the individual, the family, and the parish community. The family and parish community, working together provide the foundations, experiences, and celebrations in which Jesus’ presence can be experienced and understood. All persons seeking sacramental preparation must be registered members of Saint Augustine’s Parish.
Baptisim
Parents seeking Baptism for their child must be active Catholics who are registered at the Church of Saint Augustine. Baptism, a Sacrament of Initiation, marks the entrance of the child into the Christian community. Through the Rite of Baptism the child will be born to a new life in Christ and welcomed into the body of Christ.
Expectant parents are required to attend two baptism preparation sessions before their child’s Baptism. Session I focuses on responsibilities of Christian parenting and is held in the home of parish facilitators. Session II focuses on the theology of the Sacrament and the Rite. It is a group class held every other month in the parish conference room.
Sponsors for Baptism are to be practicing (active) Catholics who have completed their sixteenth year of age. One of the sponsors may be a Christian of a different faith. The person is then called a witness.
Two options for Celebration of the Rite:
1) On the second Sunday of the month the Rite of Baptism is celebrated after the 11: a.m. Mass. Families need to arrive by 11:45 a.m. This celebration includes the welcoming of your child by the Christian community and the proclamation of the Word.
2) On the fourth Saturday/Sunday of the month during a Liturgy. Families need to arrive at least 20 minutes before Mass time.
To enroll in the Baptism sessions please call the parish office, 251-6042 several months in advance, if possible.
Reconciliation and Eucharist
Reconciliation heals the sinner and also the whole people of God. Our relationships with God and others are restored. The reception of Holy Communion begins a lifetime of being nourished by the Bread of Life, a more complete celebration of Eucharist. The first reception of these sacraments is most often celebrated when children are in the second grade, however preparation is arranged for any who request the sacraments. The preparation includes sessions for the parents and children together and also opportunities for the adults to update their understanding of the theology of the sacraments. The children are prepared to receive the sacraments with reverence, understanding and hope. Families are encouraged to recognize the grace of God already present in our everyday actions, and become aware that sacraments celebrate what God has done and continues to do in our lives. Texts are provided to guide parents in working with their children.
Registration for second graders takes place in the fall. Information for others wishing to prepare and celebrate the sacraments is available at the Faith Formation office, 252-6042.
Confirmation
Reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace because through the reception of this sacrament, the faithful are more closely bound to the Church and enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. The reception of the Sacrament is a communal experience in which the parish community supports the candidates through witnessing to the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, prayer, and providing the faith community into which the candidate is being initiated.
Confirmation formation is a two year process which begins with the first year class (usually Freshman) and continues to the second year class (usually Sophomores). Students attending Catholic high schools are not required to attend the first year sessions. Saint Augustine’s uses the Confirmation mentoring process. The candidate chooses a mentor whom he or she respects and admires as a direct representative of the church, and both candidate and mentor enter a faith journey together, sharing their faith in Christ with each other on a regular basis. Candidates, parents and mentors attend an orientation session at the beginning of the year for an explanation of requirements and activities. All candidates and their mentors attend the monthly PEACE sessions, and complete another monthly activity on their own.
Baptized adults seeking Confirmation are invited to participate in the RCIA process described. Call the Faith Formation office, 252-6042 for information.
Matrimony
Parish members* contemplating marriage, are required to begin the sacramental preparation process for Matrimony at least six months in advance of the anticipated wedding date. This process takes about six months. It includes a pre-nuptial investigation with the pastor or deacon; taking the FOCCUS, a pre-marriage inventory of interests, values, and attitudes; attending a Diocesan Marriage Workshop; meeting with a parish Mentor couple to discuss FOCCUS results; liturgy planning; and meeting with the parish musician. The Church requires that all sacramental preparation be completed at least 30 days prior to the anticipated wedding date.
The foundation of the marital covenant is found in God, our Creator. It is presumed that couples seeking sacramental preparation for Matrimony desire to create a marital covenant inviting God into the union. God is the third party in any Christian marriage and with this presence comes grace. Sacramental preparation focuses on exactly what the holy covenant means within several contexts: to the individual within the relationship, to the couple, and to the couple who are a symbol to the faith community. Creating a marital covenant invites God, and so the Christian lifestyle, into the union of two people.
*At least one individual of the engaged couple needs to be a member of the parish. Regular attendance at Liturgy is strongly encouraged.
Please call the parish office, 251-8335, to make arrangements for parish membership, if necessary, to arrange to reserve the church for the wedding and to meet for sacramental preparation.
Rite of Christian iniation of adults (R.C.I.A.)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the normative way in which adults become full, active and participating members of the Catholic Church. The R.C.I.A. involves the whole parish, in prayer as the rites are celebrated, in hospitality as new members are welcomed, and in specific ministries as sponsor, or catechist.
Call the Faith Formation office, 252-6042, for information or for an interview.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults describes:
• the rite of Baptism of adults.
• the reception of baptized adults into full communion in the Catholic Church.
• the period of instruction.
• liturgical rites celebrated throughout the liturgical year.
The initiation of catechumens and candidates is a gradual process which takes place within the community of the faithful. R.C.I.A. is marked by four periods:
1. Precatechumenate: Inquiry about the Catholic tradition on the part of the candidates and an opportunity for evangelization on the part of the parish community.
2. Catechumenate: Continued catechesis (instruction) on the basic foundations of the faith. Celebration of the Word and reflection provide the focus for catechesis.
3. Enlightenment: Intense preparation for the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) to be celebrated at the Easter Vigil.
4. Mystagogy: Participation with all the faithful in the Eucharistic celebrations of the Easter season.
Rite of Christian iniation of children (R.C.I.C.)
Children of the age of reason, whose parents are requesting they be baptized, or who have not yet been prepared to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are invited to participate in small groups or individually as they are instructed and nurtured in their faith. Call the Faith Formation office, 252-6042 for information.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Mentor Couple for Engaged
Married couples welcome engaged couples into their home to offer hospitality, supportiveness, and sacramental preparation assistance by facilitating the couple's FOCCUS dialogue process.
Participate in annual ministry support/ enrichment gatherings sponsored by Diocese' Family Life office.
Active faith life necessary.
Training and resources provided.
Host Couple for Baptism Preparation
Facilitate the educational process of parents preparing for their child's Baptism by conducting a session in their home where they meet with 3-6 couples. Active faith life necessary. Training and resources provided.
Sponsors For Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The process of initiation is ongoing, but normally sessions are from fall to spring. Length of commitment depends on area of service. Sponsor accompanies candidate-seeking admission to the church; stands as a witness to the candidate's readiness. Catechist assists director in instructional aspects. Person with love of Scripture opens the Word with candidates following the Liturgy of the Word on a given Sunday.
Training and resources provided.
Wedding Coordinator
Represents the parish and assists couples by conducting a rehearsal and being present on the day of the wedding.
Insures that guidelines and traditions of the parish are followed.
Responsible for communicating use and care of the facility.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
