Sacrament Preparation Requirements

 Sacramental Preparation & Requirements

The Sacramental Preparation Program is designed to assist parents in learning more about the Catholic faith and reflecting on the role the Catholic Church plays in their lives in sharing their faith with their children. As such, this program is an opportunity to strengthen the faith of the parents at a critical time in the spiritual lives of their children.

Both children and parents need to recognize that a person does not receive the sacraments just because they have reached a certain age or because they are in a certain grade. Rather, reception of the sacraments requires that both the children and the parents have taken the necessary steps to prepare for the celebration of the sacraments.

First Reconciliation

Children and the parents of children wishing to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation are required to attend the Reconciliation Formation Retreats on:

  • Saturday, October 8th from 9-11:30am and
  • Saturday, November 5th from 9-11:30am

If you are not able to attend, please contact CJ Grahn to schedule a one-on-one meeting.

First Reconciliation will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 10am in the church.

First Communion

Children and the parents of children wishing to receive First Holy Communion are expected to attend the First Communion Formation Retreats on:

  • Saturday, February 11th 9-11:30am and Saturday,
  • March 4th from 9-11:30am.

If you are not able to attend, please contact CJ Grahn to schedule a one-on-one meeting.

First Communion will be celebrated the weekend of Saturday, April 29th and Sunday, April 30th, 2022 at the Mass of the family’s choosing.

Mass times:

  • 4:30pm Saturday (vigil Mass)
  • 7am Sunday
  • 11am Sunday

Confirmation

Confirmation preparation will look very different this year. Twelve hours of immediate prep (with parents) are required during the year students receive the Sacrament, which is typically in the spring of 9th grade. The Confirmation class will meet once per month, September through April.

If you miss a class, you will need to set up a time to meet with CJ prior to the next month’s class to go over the material you missed. Since we are only meeting once per month, only one absence for the year will be excused.

The Confirmation Mass will be held in May at St. Bernard’s in Watertown.

Retreats are no longer required as part of the preparation process. The Diocese of Madison will be providing High School retreats at Camp Gray for those interested, which will be available to all high school students. Those preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation are welcome to attend, but not required.

In order to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, students must be in the St. Jerome Religious Education program, enrolled in a Catholic school, or enrolled in another program for two consecutive years. If they have not been in the St. Jerome program, but have been in another Catholic Religious Education program, proof of participation will be needed.

Precepts of the Catholic Church

  1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
  2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
  3. You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
  4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
  5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.

Sacramental Preparation Fee

There is a Sacramental Preparation fee to help defray the cost of our sacramental preparation programs. The fee for First Reconciliation is $25 and the fee First Communion is $25.00. The fee for Confirmation is $25.00.