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 (and godparents) 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.
First Communion
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. This celebration usually takes place in May.
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, this confirmation in faith presently takes place in the eight grade.
Initiation of Adults
Adults who are interested in exploring the Catholic faith are invited to participate in a weekly reflection group, exploring their questions and the Catholic faith.
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.
School age children who have not been baptized follow a process similar to that described above for adult catechumens.