During the 3rd grade, children of Holy Cross prepare for and receive the last two sacraments of initiation – Confirmation and Eucharist. They will receive these two sacraments at the same Mass. Students and their parents will be asked to prepare for both sacraments in several concrete ways. We hope the range of activities will help families receive a basic understanding of the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit and a deeper understanding of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
The following is expected of Holy Cross 3rd grade students and parents in order to be fully prepared to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist during this academic year.
Parents of all 3rd grade students are expected to attend a parent meeting regarding their child’s preparation for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
Students in grade 3 are expected to regularly attend faith formation classes every year through the 12th grade. Throughout the year, grade 3 students will learn solely about the sacrament of Confirmation/1st Eucharist in their faith formation classroom. Starting in September, the students will be going over 6 lessons on the Eucharist. You, as a parent, will receive a First Eucharist family poster that compliments the lessons your child is learning in class. We as that you take time at home to work with your child on the weekly lessons. This will give you and your child a better understanding of the Sacrament.
Students in grade 3 and at least one parent are required to attend the 1st Eucharistic Retreat. The retreat will be held at Holy Cross. The retreat will include stories, prayer, discussion and fun activities that help students and their parents learn more about about Confirmation and 1st Eucharist, and how both sacraments can bring them into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.
At Faith Formation Registration, parents will be asked to complete a Confirmation Record Form for their child. A copy of the child’s baptismal certificate is also needed before they can be confirmed. If the child was baptized at Holy Cross, we most likely have a record of it. If they were baptized at another church, you must call that church and request that the baptismal certificate be sent to Holy Cross.
Students in grade 3 are asked to complete 1 parish or 1 community service project. This is the minimum requirement – it is always better to do more; to build a habit of service. We would like to emphasize that the service project be done as a family. Parents will receive a Service Project form at the parent meeting..
Students may choose to take a saint’s name or their Baptismal name as their Confirmation name. Parents will receive a Confirmation Name form at the parent meeting in October. This form should be turned in no later than TBD. The Confirmation Name form includes a Catholic saint website for parents and children to locate and learn more about the saint the child has chosen. Stories of Catholic saints can also be found in various Catholic saint books available in the Faith Formation Resource Room. Please contact Brenda if you would like to check out one of these books.
Each 3rd grade Confirmation candidate must have one sponsor. This person must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic of at least 16 years of age. Students are encouraged to visit regularly with their sponsor, either by phone or in person throughout the school year. Sponsors must be present at the Confirmation and 1st Commuion Mass on TBD. Parents will receive a sponsor information form at the parent meeting.
Parents are strongly encouraged to bring their child to the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to their child receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.