Baptism
| First Reconciliation
& Communion | Confirmation
Infant Baptisms
When considering Baptism for your child, we suggest that you reflect on what it is you are asking of God’s Church, and then reflect on your own Baptism as well.
What has it meant in your own life to be a member of the Body of Christ?
How do you live out your Baptismal commitment today in love and service to God and neighbor?
As a Christian Catholic parent, are you willing to train your child in the practice of faith, teaching them to keep the Gospel values of Jesus?
Choosing Godparents:
Godparents are to be at least age 16 and fully initiated member of the Catholic Church .
Fully initiated person is someone who has received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist and who continues to witness to that faith in the great and small ways of everyday living.
For Catholics, baptism is the sign of our unity with Christ’s community, and a witness to our desire to be part of the discipleship of Christ.
Baptism is a sacrament of faith and commitment by which we respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ and enter into a covenant with God in Jesus through his Church. We baptized are formed into God’s people and are incorporated into the Body of Christ.
Requirements for Baptism:
Parents must be registered at Our Lady of the Snows, or have permission from the Pastor of the parish in which they belong.
Parents must be actively attending Mass
Parents are required to attend our parish Baptism Class which is offered in our Church on the Second Thursday of each month at 7:00pm. Sponsors / Godparents are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Following this class, the parents will meet with a member of our Baptism Team to complete the plans for their child’s baptism.
When are Baptisms done?
Baptisms are normally done at our weekend Masses. This is to support the nature of this communal sacrament. Baptisms are not done during Lent. Private baptisms are reserved for special circumstances, illness and the like.
Baptism for Children Third Grade and older
We
warmly welcome children preparing
for baptism as sacraments are a celebration
at any age. The baptism of a child older
than kindergarten has a few components
in addition to those required for the
baptism of an infant.
For information, please contact Lauri-Anne Reinhart, 329-6147.
First Reconciliation & First Communion
Children are required to have
two years of religious education before
celebrating these sacraments. The earliest
a child may receive First Communion [Eucharist]
is second grade, therefore they must have
either attended a Catholic school or some
form of religious education in their first
grade year.
However, children of all ages receive these sacraments - including high school students. We always welcome those who, for whatever reason, did not receive these sacraments at a more "traditional" age. We never want any child to feel embarrassed about, or feeling too old for, receiving sacraments. They are something to celebrate at any age!
Preparation for the sacraments involves parent attendance at Parent Meetings, parents working with their child at home using a text we give them, and a "retreat." Canon law requirements for the sacraments are stated clearly at the Parents Meeting.
There is a $25 fee to cover the costs of this program.
Adults
needing First Reconciliation and First
Communion are referred to the RCIA program.
Click here for information.
Confirmation
Confirmation for teenagers is a two-year process in our parish, as required by the diocese. The earliest that a teenager can begin Confirmation Preparation is as a freshman in high school. Any teen attending a Catholic high school may waive the first year of preparation in the parish, instead registering for Confirmation Two as a sophomore or older.
Preparation involves attendance at class on Monday nights, service hours, and Mass attendance. A calendar of required dates and times is provided at the Parent Meeting. The second year also involves sponsor work, a saint paper, and a retreat, all required by the diocese.
Confirmation Preparation focuses on developing the teens as disciples of Jesus through the Church. We encourage mature faith through questioning, discussion, community experiences, and personal appropriation of Church teachings.
Adults seeking to be confirmed join the RCIA.
College students seeking Confirmation may join either the program for teenagers or the RCIA, depending on needs and interests, and after a discussion with the appropriate staff member.
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