Religious Formation > Sacramental Preparation for Youth

Sacramental Preparation for Youth

An important part of the religious formation of our youth is to prepare them to receive the Sacraments appropriate for their age. The following topics cover the formal programs offered to meet this objective:

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Conscience formation is studied at all grade levels. The religious education program offers individual confessions for students in grades three through nine during the seasons of Advent and Lent. Parents are encouraged to receive the Sacrament with their child during the rest of the year when the Sacrament of Reconciliation is normally offered to the parish.

First Reconciliation

Students are prepared to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the second grade. The Sacrament is received prior to the reception of the student's First Holy Eucharist. Parents are expected to attend a parent meeting and a retreat with their child in anticipation of this Sacrament.

Sacrament of First Eucharist

Preparation for the Sacrament of First Eucharist begins in the second grade, after students have had a one full year of catechesis instruction. Students preparing to receive First Eucharist must meet the following requirements:

1. The family is to be a registered parish member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or an area Catholic church.
2. Know the following prayers: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, the Sign of the Cross, and the Act of Contrition.
3. Attend weekly Mass, verified by dropping an attendance form in the collection basket.
4. Have no more than three absences from class during the Sacramental Year.
5. Attend scheduled retreats.
6. Be prepared to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to reception of First Eucharist in accordance with Diocesan policy.

Parents of children entering the First Eucharist program are expected to:

1. Provide a copy of the child's Baptismal Certificate by October. This may be arranged by contacting the parish where your child was baptized and requesting that a copy of the Certificate be sent directly to OLMC. If the child was baptized at Mount Carmel, provide the secretary with that information.
2. Attend scheduled meetings and celebrations.

2008 - 09 Parent Meeting, Retreat,
& Sacrament Celebration Dates

Reconciliation and First Eucharist Parent Meeting & Retreat Dates
First Reconciliation Parent Meeting	Monday Night Class
First Reconciliation Parent Meeting	Tuesday Night Class
First Eucharist Parent Meeting	Monday Night Class
First Eucharist Parent Meeting	Tuesday Night Class
Sacramental Retreat Dates
First Reconciliation Retreat	Saturday, November 8, 10 am - 1 pm
First Eucharist Retreat
Rehearsal & Sacrament Celebration Dates
First Reconciliation - Monday students
First Reconciliation - Tuesday students
First Communion - Monday students	Rehearsal, - 10:00 am First Holy Communion, - 2 pm
First Communion - Tuesday students	Rehearsal, - 10:00 am First Holy Communion, - 2 pm

Sacrament of Confirmation

Traditionally, the Sacrament of Confirmation is administered to youth in the ninth grade, though older youth who have not yet received this Sacrament also participate in the program of preparation for Confirmation.

Upon entering the preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, youth are expected to have completed the following:

1. Reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and has been Catechized.
2. Religious Education through the eighth grade.
3. Must be a registered member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or an area Catholic parish.

Teens entering the program will be expected to:

1. Discern this is his/her own decision to be Confirmed.
2. Attend an orientation meeting with the parent.
3. Attend weekly Mass, dropping the attendance form in the collection basket to verify attendance.
4. Attend ALL scheduled preparation programs, including retreats.
5. Participate in a ministry program. During this time, the candidate will be actively involved in various parish activities learning first-hand about that ministry. If the ministry is not completed, the candidate will be asked to delay reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Special Dates for Confirmation Students
Enrollment Ceremony
Fall Retreat
Spring Retreat
Confirmation Rehearsal
Confirmation Sacramental Celebration

Download a copy of the Confirmation Events Calendar. (Not yet available.) Additional information will be provided to the Confirmation candidates at the Fall orientation session. For more information on the Confirmation program contact Ms. Kelly Schmidt at 734-847-1725, ext 22 or email Kelly.