Sacramental Preparation Information

Baptism

With the Sacrament of Baptism, we welcome God's gift of new life into our faith community! The details about preparation for Baptism for children are included in our Baptism brochure available in the back of church or by calling the office. The office will also help you sign up for a Baptism preparation session and the Baptism itself. Since the Sacrament of Baptism is a community celebration of welcome, we encourage families to celebrate the baptism of your child during a weekend liturgy.

If you are an adult interested in Baptism, please see the OCIA page on our website.

First Reconciliation and Eucharist

Parents/Guardians of children who have been baptized in the Catholics faith and are at least 7 years of age (generally second grade) are invited to register their children for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation. Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist will run the school year. Parents/Guardians are expected to be intimately involved throughout the program as it is a homeschool style program. Those who are preparing for these sacraments are required to participate in the family formation and need to be registered members of the parish. Additionally, at least one parent or guardian needs to participate in Adult Formation as it helps you develop your faith to bring the lessons home.

Confirmation

Youth who are in eighth and eleventh grades are invited to take part in the process of preparation for Confirmation. The process is an intensive two-year process in which the confirmand is invited to examine their faith with both mind and heart. Sessions take place in conjunction with youth ministry from late October through the spring and are held Sundays at noon. (A simple lunch will be provided.) In addition to classes, preparation includes a retreat and service learning opportunities. It is requested that the sponsor attend sponsor nights and participate in adult formation at his/her own parish.

Parents/Guardians may register their teen for this process as part of the annual faith formation registration. Participant's families need to be registered members of the parish. Additionally, at least one parent or guardian needs to participate in Adult Formation as it helps you develop your faith to bring the lessons home.

If you have any questions on the above Sacraments of Initiation, contact Erin Werneke, Director of Faith Formation, ewerneke@churchoftheholyname.org, 612-724-5465, ext. 203.

Marriage

We can help you prepare to celebrate your marriage. The preparation process involves documentation, liturgy preparation, classes, reading and discussion with Fr. Bob. Since this takes a while, your preparation needs to start a minimum of six months prior to your wedding date; however, a year or more is better (and less stressful). For your wedding to take place in our community, you, or your parent, need to be a registered member of the parish.

If you have been married before, we will need to begin the annulment process with the Archdiocese.
Fr. Bob will personally guide you through each step of this journey.

If your first marriage took place in the Catholic Church (or was later blessed/convalidated by the Church), the process can take more time, which may take longer than a year. Please know that while we will walk with you through this, an annulment is not automatically granted.

Because of this, a future wedding in the Catholic Church is only possible once a declaration of nullity has been received for any prior marriages for either you or your fiancé(e).

Contact Fr. Bob. at frbob@churchoftheholyname.org or 612-724-5465, ext. 205.

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick (formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction ) is a grace-filled ritual of healing appropriate for not only physical illness, but for mental or spiritual illness as well. In this sacrament, the individual is anointed with holy oil that has been blessed by the bishop on the forehead and palms. The oil symbolizes and invites healing prayer for strength, hope and a greater awareness of God's love. This sacrament can be celebrated individually or communally and does not need any special preparation period. To arrange to receive Anointing of the Sick for yourself or a family member, please contact Fr. Bob or the parish office for assistance.