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Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

• We need to baptize a child
• What do we need to do to have our child baptized?

  1. The church advises parents to have their child baptized in the first six weeks after birth.  To prepare for baptism, the parents must participate in the Baptism Preparation process.  For more information see our Baptismal Preparation ministry page.  Contact the parish office in advance to schedule your participation.

     After Baptism Preparation has been completed, the actual Sacrament of Baptism can be scheduled by contacting the parish office in advance.

     For more information, see our Sacrament of Baptism web page.

• Do we need to participate in Baptism Preparation?

  1. All parents (and ideally additionally the godparents) must participate in the Baptism Preparation process.  Visit are Baptismal Preparation ministry page for more information.

     To verify that class will be held that month or to arrange for parish-provided child care, contact the parish office in advance .

• When are baptisms normally celebrated?

  1. The normal occasions for the Sacrament of Baptism are covered in the Baptism web page.

• I’ve been away from the church - can my child be baptized?

  1. For the seed of Catholic faith, planted at baptism, to take root and grow in the child’s life, one or both parents should be practicing Catholics.  Prior church practices are less important than the practice of the faith before the baptism of a child, and most important in the early life of the child.

     This can be further explored by visiting with a priest by contacting the parish office.

• Who can I select for godparents?
  1. The role of godparents is to assist parents in the Catholic upbringing of their child. Taking this to heart, non-Catholics can not be godparents. Only one godparent is required and s/he must be a practicing Catholic. Additional persons may be selected that will be listed as "witnesses" as long as they are baptized Christians. It is desirable that godparents be included in the baptismal preparation formation if possible.
• Our child needs First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
• My child is entering 1st grade - what is needed for him/her to receive First Reconciliation & Eucharist?

  1. Actually, the normal age or grade level for children to begin their preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is when they enter 1st grade.  See our First Reconciliation Preparation page and First Eucharist Preparation page.
     Children who are older and need to prepare and receive First Reconciliation or First Eucharist may be placed in a group with others who are closer to their age so that formation may be age-appropriate and tailored to their understanding of the faith. See our Christian Initiation for Youth page

• What does the sacramental preparation process consist of?

  1. For more information on the Sacrament of Penance and the preparation process, go to our Sacrament of Penance web page.
     For more information on the Sacrament of Eucharist and the preparation process, go to our Sacrament of Eucharist web page.

• What is my role in preparing my child for the sacraments?

  1. In addition to registering your child for grades 1 and 2 of Children’s Faith Formation, the parents have critical roles in preparing their child for First Penance and First Eucharist:

     • Regular Sunday Mass attendance with your child
     • Attendance with required parent-child formation sessions in 2nd grade
     • Review and discussion of formation material that your child will bring home
• What if my child has not been baptized?

  1. If your child is entering 1st grade (or older) s/he will not enter the First Penance / First Eucharist preparation process.  However, we have a special program called “Christian Initiation for Youth” which is designed specifically to provide formation for children / teens who need baptism and the other first sacraments.

     Go to the Christian Initiation for Youth web page for more information.

• Our teenager needs to receive Confirmation
• At what age do we normally confirm youth?

  1. At St. Michael’s parish, our youth are normally confirmed in the fall of their senior year of high school.

• What is the normal Confirmation sacramental preparation process?

  1. In addition to participating in the religious education programs throughout grade school, junior high school and the first two years of high school, students in their junior (11th grade) and senior (12th grade) years of high school are normally preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

     Visit our Confirmation Preparation web page for more information.

• What about finding a sponsor?

  1. Early in the sacramental preparation process, the adult leaders advise the prospective recipients of the sacrament as to whom they might want to consider as a Confirmation sponsor.  This selection needs to be firmed up early in the junior year so that sponsors may be able to participate with the students in the monthly joint formation sessions.

• Our school-aged child has not yet been baptized or has been delayed in receiving First Reconciliation or Eucharist (Communion)
• What is the process for him/her to receive Baptism and/or First Reconciliation and First Eucharist?

  1. If your child is entering 1st grade (or older) and has not yet been baptized, s/he will not enter the First Penance / First Eucharist preparation process.  However, we have a special program called “Christian Initiation for Youth” which is designed specifically to provide formation for children / teens who need baptism and the other first sacraments.

     Go to the Christian Initiation for Youth web page for more information.

• I’m an adult and was baptized Catholic but I never received Eucharist or Confirmation
• What is the process for me to receive Eucharist and Confirmation?

  1. The Christian Initiation process is intended to address each person's needs. It begins with a period of Inquiry for general questions and answers. This is followed by a period of Formation, during which each week’s bible readings are used as the basis for sharing what Catholics believe. At the end of this period, the person receives the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist (First Communion). Finally, the person begins a period intended to fully integrate them into the life of the Church.

• I’m an adult, received Baptism and Eucharist but never received Confirmation
• What is the process for me to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation as an adult?

  1. The Christian Initiation process is intended to address each person's needs. Catholics who lack only Confirmation would enter into a period of Formation, during which each week’s bible readings are used as the basis for sharing what Catholics believe. At the end of this period, the person receives the Sacrament of Confirmation from the bishop. Finally, the person begins a period intended to fully integrate them into the life of the Church.

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