Here at St Anthony’s we conduct a Parish-based preparation program for the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation. Following the ideas of the Archdiocesan Guidelines, this preparation calls for the involvement of the child’s parents, both during instructional sessions, at-home sessions as well as during celebrations of Sunday Mass. We believe that our reception of the Sacraments are not occasions which quickly recede into the past but must be the beginnings of a journey of continued growth in faith. Our formation process involves three stages:-
- Parent Formation: you are invited to participate in the local Parish Community. By this way you are able to show your children what a person of faith is by the way you live and act and are part of a local worshipping community. A formal “theological” instruction session is given to the parents prior to the beginning of the program for each sacrament.
- Child Formation: each program lasts approximately 4 – 6 weeks, with a weekly session and “at-home” activities. Resources are provided for each child and their family.
- Community Formation: because your child (and your family) are embarking on a journey of faith, the local Parish Community becomes integral in their formation. Each week throughout the program, the children are called upon to participate within the Sunday Eucharist by ministry and ritual.