Sacrament Preparation for Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Middle schoolers preparing to receive Sacraments participate in EDGE, which fosters close friendship with Jesus, friendships, and vibrant understanding of the Sacramental life of the Church. For more information about EDGE, CLICK HERE.
Middle Schoolers Preparing to Receive Sacraments
EDGE is an essential part of faith formation for middle-schoolers. Through EDGE, they not only learn the beauty and character of a close follower of Jesus also known as discipleship, treasure of solid friendships, and the security of belonging to the Church, but they also prepare to receive the powerful graces of encountering Jesus Christ through the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation for the first time, Confirmation, and Holy Communion for the first time. The Church follows a process called the Order of Christian Initiation for Children or Teens (OCIC or OCIT). This is a two-year process.
First Year: “Foundational Year”
Middle schoolers preparing for the Sacraments are required to attend one foundational year of faith formation through EDGE. Our gifted youth minister will be sure to help middle schoolers preparing for Sacraments to understand the origin, importance, and power of these encounters with the living Lord.
Second Year: “Sacramental Preparation”
In their second year, in addition to attending EDGE, students are required to attend fifteen classes held on Sundays from 10:15-11:15 am beginning in October and ending in April, and two retreats. This time on Sundays works best for families because it is between our 9:00 and 11:30am Masses. The retreats will be held in the spring semester according to the date when the Bishop’s office schedules the Masses where the students will receive their Sacraments of Christian Initiation.
Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Most Holy Communion, and Confirmation
It is the practice in our Diocese of Phoenix that baptized children receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion in second and third grade. This differs from the order in which children receive Sacraments in other dioceses.
Young people who are from other dioceses or who for other reasons, have not received these Sacraments in second and third grade are welcome to attend our sacramental preparation program for fourth through twelfth grade students.
We are here to help prepare these students and to serve their families.
Students in their second year of formation and sacramental preparation will receive their Sacraments during the Lent and Easter seasons.
Homeschooled or Catholic School Teens
If your teen is homeschooled or attends a private Catholic school and needs Sacraments this year, please email Maria Kim as soon as possible. Please let us know what religious education curriculum you use. We will send you our policies for receiving Sacraments as well as a registration link.