Baptism for Children - Rite of Christian Initiation
Many children born to Catholic parents are baptized as infants. Traditionally these children celebrate Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation at regular intervals over the course of many years. What happens when someone is not baptized as an infant and is presented at a later age for the sacrament of Baptism? When a child is older than an infant but not yet able to articulate his or her desire, preparation focuses more on the parent’s understanding and willingness to bring their child into the Christian Community.
Once a child is old enough to express his or her own personal desire for Baptism, usually around the age of seven, through adulthood we offer the invitation to enter into a time of preparation known as Rite of Christian Initiation. This process usually takes at least a year, however long a child needs. When the child, and in most cases the child’s family, have completed the process of preparation, the child is fully initiated the Church community. This means a child would celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist – during one Liturgy, usually the Easter Vigil. The Sacrament of Reconciliation would be celebrated at a later date since Baptism cleanses one of all sins.
It is vital for those preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation to reflect on the Sunday Gospels, grow in their relationship with the Trinity, learn the core teachings of Jesus Christ, and develop an understanding that Initiation calls them to love and serve God’s people.
St. Catherine Parish offers a multi-faceted approach to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for Children
- Liturgy of the Word for Children
During some Sunday Masses children are sent to a special area with the Sunday scripture readings to Proclaim God’s Word and together ponder how Christ calls us to live.
- Catechesis
Youth and children participate in parish catechetical programming such as Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Youth Ministries’ Discover and Reflect.
- Sacrament Preparation Sessions
A child and his/her family continues preparation through First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation sessions.
- Community Life and Service
A child and his/her family are welcomed into the family of St. Catherine and are invited to join with us in parish-wide events such as Community Sunday celebrations, Pancake Breakfast, La Fiesta, African Celebration, child, youth, and family activities. Included are opportunities to examine the world of those in need and serve our brothers and sisters. Some children served by assisting in the food pantry, collecting pennies for schools in Afghanistan, Operation Rice Bowl.
Full initiation is a beginning in the community life of faith. It is not a graduation. Whether a person is fully initiated as a child or as an adult, the journey of faith continues for one’s entire life. We all have need for continued nurturing and formation.
Contact Cindy Lieb for information or to enroll: 445–5115 or .
Baptism for Adults - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The RCIA is a process by which adults are introduced to the life of the Catholic Church through catechesis, Scripture, and liturgy. RCIA in its purest form is for those adults who have not yet been baptized. However in reality those that are converting from other Christian religions often go through the RCIA as well.
When an adult becomes Catholic they receive all 3 sacraments of initiation at the same time-Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
The 3 lynchpins of the RCIA are:
- Liturgical: Allowing community prayer, worship, and ritual form and transform us
- Catechetical: Allowing Scripture and Liturgy to leads us into systematic understanding of Church teachings
- Pastoral: Encountering God in our daily life through our relationships with God and others; in the arms of community/church
RCIA is all about Formation- it is about giving information abut what the Catholic Church teaches, and why she does so- but it is also about human formation. We need to introduce those people who are interested into the life and love of God and the Church.
“The RCIA process seeks to prepare people not merely for assent to eternal truths, but more so to fall in love with an eternal Lover” and to love likewise. Contact Cindy Lieb for information or to enroll.
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist
Persons desiring to celebrate any sacrament must first be baptized. If you are unsure as to whether your child has been baptized please contact Cindy Lieb.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing and forgiveness. At various times in our tradition we have called it confession, reconciliation, penance. Each title emphasizes one aspect of the sacrament. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee requires reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to the reception of Eucharist.
Parents may be concerned about determining the appropriate age for their child’s first celebration of this sacrament. Below is a few indicators of readiness.
- An ability to know the difference between right and wrong
- Some sense of personal responsibility for wrongful thoughts or action
- Some ability to describe wrongdoing in his/her own way
- Some recognition of the effect of his/her actions on others
- An awareness of the importance of asking for forgiveness
- Some trust that God will forgive us because of Jesus
- A genuine expression of desire for the sacrament
We ask that parents/guardians who wish to enroll their child or youth in this process of preparation
be willing to:
- Commit time each week to work with the child or youth within the context of the whole family
- Attend parent/child/youth sessions in which families work together as part of the community of believers
- Purchase the necessary books and materials used in the program (usually $15–20)
Preparation usually begins in autumn. First celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation usually occurs in January or February. Please contact Cindy Lieb to register.
Eucharist
Children who have celebrated the sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation are free to receive Eucharist after a period of preparation. When children are very young and see the adults in their lives “going to communion,” they often say, “Give me some of that” or “I want some bread, too.” Our
Personal witness is essential in awakening the spiritual hunger of our children. A child’s readiness to prepare for first Eucharist is based on the ability to understand and express the following:
- The bread and wine of the Eucharist is not ordinary bread and wine
- Coming forward to receive this bread and wine has something to do with God’s love for us and our love for God
- This meal has something to do with Jesus
- Catholics most often receive this food in the context of a Eucharistic Meal (Mass) celebrated within the community on Sundays
- A child should also show a desire to learn more about Jesus
Children who are ready to receive Eucharist and who have expressed their desire for
the sacrament, are entered into a time of preparation. In the formal preparation, we ask that the parents/guardians of the child be willing to:
- Commit time each week to work with the child within the context of the whole family
- Attend sessions in which parents and children work together as part of the community of believers
- Purchase the necessary books and materials used in the program (usually $15–20)
The preparation for First Eucharist usually begins in autumn with formal celebrations of the sacrament scheduled shortly after Easter.
- Parents whose children were baptized at the parish other than St. Catherine
will need to obtain a copy of the Baptismal Certificate from that parish. It would
be wise to do this early in the preparation. There is no charge for this service.
Confirmation
Confirmation is a sacrament of mature Christian commitment to discipleship and a deepening of baptismal gifts. Like Baptism and Eucharist, it is a Sacrament of Initiation for Catholics and a Sacrament of faith in God’s fidelity to us. As baptism is the breathing in of the Holy Spirit, Confirmation
is the breathing out of the life and love of the Holy Spirit.
Please contact Cindy Lieb for additional information or to register.
Links
Child Ministry Calendars
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