St. Catherine
of Alexandria

Welcome to Saint Catherine Church!
¡Bienvenido a la Parroquia de Santa Catalina!

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Sacramental Preparation

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is usually a two-year process beginning in 1st grade. All 2nd-grade students registered in St. Catherine School or St. Catherine Faith Formation are considered candidates for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Sacramental preparation includes class attendance, weekly mass participation and family engagement in parent/child retreats and parish community events. Children can begin preparing for the sacraments at any grade level beginning in the 1st grade. Faith Formation sessions are held on: Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm (1st - 5th grades) Sunday mornings from 9:00 - 10:15 am (1st - 8th grades) Saturdays in Spanish from 9:00 am - 10:15 am (1st - 8th grades) Sessions are from mid September through the beginning of May of each year. Children registering for Sacramental Preparation must be registered in weekly faith formation sessions or attending a Catholic school and must have attended faith formation for at least one year. PARENT GATHERINGS AND PARENT/CHILD RETREATS During Sacramental Preparation, there are parent gatherings and parent/child retreats to help and encourage parents to be actively involved in their children's sacramental preparation. As parents are the first and best teachers of the faith to their children, these gatherings are very important. At least one parent needs to attend the gatherings with the child for the child to be fully prepared to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Godparents/ sponsors are invited and encouraged to attend as well. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish. RCIA for Children The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) for Children is the sacramental preparation process for children/youth over the age of 7 who have not yet been baptized. It is modeled on the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). In keeping with the current Church practice, these children prepare to celebrate the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Together with their peers, children in the RCIA process for children meet each week at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday or Saturday (Spanish) mornings. The initiation process works towards a deeper understanding of our faith and lays the foundation for continual faith formation. Children study the Sunday readings and prepare to celebrate the sacraments. Additionally, there are monthly sessions held together with parents and sponsors. For information and to schedule a meeting, please call the Faith Formation office at (408) 779-9604. Children new to the program will need to have a copy of their birth certificate on file.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is usually a two-year process beginning in 1st grade. All 2nd-grade students registered in St. Catherine School or St. Catherine Faith Formation are considered candidates for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Sacramental preparation includes class attendance, weekly mass participation and family engagement in parent/child retreats and parish community events.

Children can begin preparing for the sacraments at any grade level beginning in the 1st grade.

Faith Formation sessions are held on:
Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm (1st - 5th grades)
Sunday mornings from 9:00 - 10:15 am (1st - 8th grades)
Saturdays in Spanish from 9:00 am - 10:15 am (1st - 8th grades)

Sessions are from mid September through the beginning of May of each year.

Children registering for Sacramental Preparation must be registered in weekly faith formation sessions or attending a Catholic school and must have attended faith formation for at least one year.

PARENT GATHERINGS AND PARENT/CHILD RETREATS

During Sacramental Preparation, there are parent gatherings and parent/child retreats to help and encourage parents to be actively involved in their children's sacramental preparation. As parents are the first and best teachers of the faith to their children, these gatherings are very important. At least one parent needs to attend the gatherings with the child for the child to be fully prepared to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Godparents/ sponsors are invited and encouraged to attend as well. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.

RCIA for Children

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) for Children is the sacramental preparation process for children/youth over the age of 7 who have not yet been baptized. It is modeled on the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). In keeping with the current Church practice, these children prepare to celebrate the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

Together with their peers, children in the RCIA process for children meet each week at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday or Saturday (Spanish) mornings. The initiation process works towards a deeper understanding of our faith and lays the foundation for continual faith formation. Children study the Sunday readings and prepare to celebrate the sacraments. Additionally, there are monthly sessions held together with parents and sponsors.

For information and to schedule a meeting, please call the Faith Formation office at (408) 779-9604. Children new to the program will need to have a copy of their birth certificate on file.