Christian Initiation
Sacraments are actions of faith. It is the Church, gathered together for Eucharist, that initiates new members. The sacraments of initiation are celebrations of the Church community as well as personal encounters with Christ.
Infant Baptism
The Church welcomes infants into the Body of Christ through baptism because of the faith of their family. This faith will be an environment that nurtures them in a sense of God’s watchful care, an attitude of gratefulness, and a growing sense of prayer.
Parents are asked to participate in two preparatory
meetings so that they can review the rite and reflect on its prayers
and actions including the questions directed to them.
The baptism of infants is normally scheduled, one a month, except during
Lent, at one of our Sunday Masses.
Please contact Patrick DeLorenzo in the Faith Formation Office at (408) 867-1530.
First Reconciliation & Communion
Formation to receive these sacraments is a two-year process beginning in 1st grade. They are prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation early in the 2nd grade school year. The celebration of First Reconciliation is usually in December. As children become engaged in learning more about their faith, they are welcomed to the Communion Table. This first reception of Communion is meant to be the beginning of an active and personal relationship with Christ. They are prepared for First Communion during the second half of the 2nd grade school year. This celebration usually takes place in May.
For an older child, who has been baptized Catholic, but did not complete their preparation for First Reconciliation/Communion we have an Older Sacramental Prep process.
Please contact the Faith Formation Office (408) 867-1530 for more information.
Confirmation
Christian initiation is sealed by the laying on of hands and the anointing with chrism by the Bishop. At Sacred Heart, for those who have been baptized as infants, and received their First Communion, this confirmation in faith presently is a two-year process beginning in the 7th grade. Please contact the Faith Formation Office at (408) 867-1530 for more information.
Initiation of Adults--RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Adults who are interested in exploring the Catholic faith are invited to participate in a reflection group, exploring their questions and the Catholic faith. RCIA is how adults become members of the Catholic Church and meets every other Sunday from 10:15 - Noon in the Parish Center. Meetings are informal friendly and free of any pressure. RCIA is about and for people who are on a journey of faith, which is uniquely individual. Contact Jeannine Leichner, Coordinator, at j.leichner@sacredheartsaratoga.org.
Those who determine that they wish to be baptized are welcomed as catechumens, a initial level of membership in the church. As catechumens they enter into a Catholic way of living as they deepen their faith. They are initiated at Easter, by being baptized, confirmed, and welcomed to the Lord’s Table.
Those who have been baptized in another Christian tradition and who seek to become Catholics, have a similar process by which they explore Catholic teaching and practice. They are received into the Catholic Church by a profession of faith, and are confirmed and welcomed to the Communion Table.
Initiation of Children--RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children)
School age children who have not been baptized follow a process similar to that described above for adult catechumens. Contact Patrick DeLorenzo in the Faith Formation Office at (408) 867-1530 for more information on this process.