Saturday: 3-4:00 pm
The engaged couple must schedule an initial interview at least 6 months in advance of their wedding date. St. John’s requires that all engaged couples participate in an engaged encounter weekend. Our parish also handles Lack of Form cases and formal annulments. At least one other meeting is scheduled with the couple after they complete their engaged encounter weekend to plan their wedding ceremony. Call the rectory office for more information.
The baptism of a child gives the parents an opportunity to look at their own Christian life and spirituality and to see how they are living out their own baptism commitment. Parents are required to come to the Religious Education Office for a personal interview, and to attend two classes that explain the Sacrament of Baptism and the obligation and commitment that goes along with presenting their child for Baptism. The celebration of the Sacrament will be during a weekend Mass to be arranged at the interview and confirmed after completion of the catechesis.
Infant Baptism Frequently Asked Questions1. Is there a fee?
There is a fee of $50.00 to cover the materials etc. of the formation before the Sacrament is celebrated. This fee is usually paid either at the interview or at the first class. If the family wishes they may offer the celebrant (Priest) a donation after the Baptism. There is no fee for the sacrament itself.
2. What should my child wear?
It is traditional that the child to be baptized should wear white, however this is not a requirement. During the ritual a white “Garment” will be given to the child to represent the new life he/she has begun. The entire family is encouraged to dress nicely and appropriately for this solemn occasion.
3. What about Godparents?
Usually the family chooses two godparents who will commit to helping the parents in their journey as fully participating Catholic parents. At least one Godparent must be a fully initiated practicing Catholic who is at least sixteen years old. Some cultures have many godparents, however, only two are the primary godparents who participate in the ceremony itself and have their names in the Church Records and on the Baptismal Certificate.
4. Who goes to the classes?
It is required that the parents participate in both classes. Godparents are encouraged (but not required) to attend as well.
Elementary School age children who wish to be Baptized in the Catholic Church participate in two years of preparation that parallel the RCIA Adult Initiation) process. After at least two years of preparation (this could take longer depending on each child's readiness and desire) the child will be Baptized and receive First Eucharist at the same time. This requires faithful participation in Religious Education Class at the child's grade level throughout the process. The first year is for the child to participate fully with his/her peers in the Catholic life, to learn how to converse about God and his/her experience of God and the Catholic Church. Weekly participation in Mass is expected for the entire family.
During the second year beginning around Thanksgiving the child participates in weekly dismissal from the 9:30 Mass every Sunday. This time is the specific preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism. During Lent there are additional rituals as part of the 9:30 Mass and a special ritual at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland with the Bishop and the other people in the Diocese who will be Baptized that Easter. In addition there are classes for Parents and Children together to focus on the Sacrament of the Eucharist to be received at the same Mass as the Baptism. These classes are usually held on Monday Evenings as part of the Parish Adult and Family Formation. They are advertised in the bulletin as well as in the Religious Education Monthly Newsletter. Participation in all of the Parent/Child classes is required.
The Sacraments are celebrated as part of a weekend Mass during the Easter Season.
FIRST RECONCILIATION
Ages 7 - 14
Saint John the Baptist Parish offers preparation for first Eucharist (Communion) and first Reconciliation (Confession) for children beginning as early as first grade. The preparation for the two Sacraments requires at least two years of faithful participation in Religious Education Class at the child's grade level. The first year is for the child to participate fully with his/her peers in the Catholic life. Weekly participation in Mass is expected for the entire family.
During the second year there are additional classes for Parents and Children together to focus on the Sacrament to be received. These classes are usually held on Monday Evenings as part of the Parish Adult and Family Formation. They are advertised in the bulletin as well as in the Religious Education Monthly Newsletter. Participation in all of the Parent/Child classes is required.
First Reconciliation is scheduled early in Lent on a Saturday morning.
First Communion is celebrated as part of a weekend Mass during the Easter Season.
The St. John's confirmation program is intended for high school aged students. The confirmation program is a two year period of preparation in which all those seeking to receive confirmation must participate. This includes those students who attend Catholic high schools. It is expected that those in the preparation program will:
- have been baptized in the Roman Catholic faith
- attend Mass on Sundays and Holy days in accordance with our Catholic tradition
- wisely participate in the Sacrament of Eucharist and Reconciliation
- achieve a deeper knowledge of what Catholics believe by studying the information provided and participating in group discussions and activities
- attend service opportunities each year
- make a mature decision to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
If you are interested in signing up for the confirmation program please visit the forms page and print out the confirmation enrollment form. Please complete the form and return to the Director Of Religious Education.
Adults who are preparing for their Baptism, first Eucharist, and Confirmation are prepared by taking part in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initation of Adults) program.
Adults are initiated into the church and receive their sacraments at the Easter Vigil mass each year.
Those wishing to receive their sacraments may be Catholics already or may belong to another denomination or religion but wish to become Catholic.
Please go to Adult Education for more information about the RCIA process.
