Parish Community of the
 CATHEDRAL OF MARY OUR QUEEN

Archdiocese of Baltimore
5200 N. Charles St., Baltimore MD 21210
 Religious Education: Sacrament Preparation
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If parents wish to have supplementary material,
it may be purchased from the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis.

Students are prepared to celebrate the Sacraments
of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation.
  
FIRST EUCHARIST
Children are expected to begin formal religious education at Kindergarten level. This begins the remote preparation for the celebration of First Holy Communion. Parents usually opt to have their children on second grade level prepare for this sacrament. Children at this level can begin to understand the idea of sin, community and Jesus.

Parents are requested to attend sessions that invite them to renew their own appreciation of this sacred event that we celebrate, and to be reminded of the promise of Jesus to be with us always in the Eucharist. First Holy Communion is usually celebrated in May.

FIRST RECONCILIATION
Sharing the Light of Faith says that a catechesis on the Sacrament of Reconciliation is to precede preparation for First Communion "and must be kept distinct by a clear and unhurried separation" (NCD, #126).

Second grade may or may not be the best time for the actual celebration of the sacrament. It is the privilege of the parents to decide with their child his/her readiness. Parents may decide to have their child celebrate this sacrament at a later age. It is advised that a child celebrate this sacrament no later than Grade 4. Parents are expected to attend the scheduled meetings concerning this sacrament. First Reconciliation is usually celebrated in February.

Youngsters on all grade levels have an opportunity at least once a year to celebrate this sacrament.

CONFIRMATION
It has been the custom of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen parish to prepare students for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation on the 8th grade level. A student may wish to delay the reception of this sacrament to a later time when he or she feels better prepared to make a mature commitment to his or her faith. However, students are expected to attend preparation classes in order that they may make an informed decision. Students are also expected to have been attending classes regularly beginning with first grade to be considered properly prepared and eligible for this sacrament. Parents are expected to attend meetings concerned with the preparation for celebrating this sacrament.

Confirmation is usually celebrated in the spring.

Requirements:

  1. Regular attendance at classes.
  2. Complete 14 hours of service:
    Learning to live the Christian faith includes becoming involved in activities and projects that benefit others.
  3. Participation in a full day retreat which is included in the preparation process. It is a concentrated experience that incorporates some basic elements of the faith: personal prayer, belonging to a community of faith, interaction with peers and adult leaders, and the celebration of the sacrament of Eucharist.

Confirmation Sponsors:

What does it mean to be a sponsor?
The sponsor should be a member of the parish community. He/she must be a mature, confirmed, practicing Catholic. Certainly, a sponsor is a person who values his or her own faith, who knows and cares for the young person being confirmed, and is willing to share that with the young person. No one is asked to be a sponsor for purely social reasons.

A sponsor is a person who represents the People of God at the Confirmation ceremony. The sponsor indicates a willingness to guide the confirmand to become a responsible member of the Church community.

What does the sponsor do?
The Sponsor serves as companion, guide, model and witness for the confirmand, and should discuss his/her role with the confirmand at the beginning of the preparation for Confirmation. Ask the confirmand why you were chosen as sponsor.

The confirmand should catch from the sponsor what being a Catholic Christian is all about. The sponsor should be available and convey his/her willingness to be a friend, offering support and encouragement and, when necessary, offer a gentle challenge to the confirmand.

The sponsor should indicate that he/she takes this role seriously and that he/she expects the young person to continue learning about his/her faith and to continue living it. If the sponsor detects a lack of readiness or sincerity on the part of the young person, this should be discussed with the confirmand, and if necessary with the parents and with the catechists.

Would the sponsor be willing to testify to the readiness of the confirmand for the celebration of Confirmation if asked?

Please call the
Religious Education Office
(410) 464-4010
or email us.

  

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  © 2007 Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Archdiocese of Baltimore