Sacramental Preparation

Infant Pre-Baptism Program

The Pre-Baptism preparation program seeks to develop in the parent a deeper awareness of the process of rearing a child in the Catholic community. Parents planning to have their child baptized are required to attend two (2) Baptism Instruction Sessions before their child will be allowed to be baptized. Parents are encouraged to make Session 1 before the birth of their child. Session 2 is to be made the night before the Baptism date that has been reserved with the rectory office. Missing one of these sessions will postpone the Rite of Baptism itself. Rectory Office will furnish dates of sessions. Registration is necessary. Session numbers limited.

Infant Baptism

1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 11:30 AM Mass in the Chapel. Arrangements MUST BE made in person by either parent for reservation of Baptism Rite and parents MUST BE registered parishioners of parish. Pre-Baptism sessions are required before child will be baptized.

Preparation for First Penance, First Communion and Confirmation

For children of grade school age, preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation is at least a two-year process.

Sacramental Awareness Sessions for Parents

Sessions are designed to assist parents in their role as primary religious educators of their children. These classes involve both children and parents as they prepare for the reception of the various sacraments. The objective of these sessions is to prepare the whole family for a more fruitful reception of the sacraments. Meeting times are published in the bulletin and additional details are available from the Religious Education Office.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

Unbaptized adults wishing to join the Catholic Church are invited to attend inquiry sessions leading up to acceptance into the Order of Catechumenate.

Adults who have been validly baptized and wish to complete their Christian initiation within the context of the Catholic faith community by the reception of the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation are welcome to experience the Catechumenate process with those adults who are preparing for Baptism.

For further information, contact Father Tom or Deacon Larry .

Adult Confirmation

Adults who have already received the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist within the context of the Catholic faith community, and who wish to receive the sacrament of Confirmation must be active and participating members of Our Lady of Fatima Parish. They must also attend the instructional session in preparation for the reception of the sacrament upon the recommendation of the pastor.

Pre-Cana

This is a program for engaged couples of the diocese. It is conducted by married couples through semi-annual presentations. The purpose of Pre-Cana is to present the essential human and Christian aspects of marriage to engaged couples so that they will be fully aware of the total dimension of the marriage covenant. Arrangements are made through the Rectory.

Marriage Arrangements

Register in the Parish and become a member of the Sunday worshipping community three months before contacting a priest. Please call the rectory for an appointment. Arrangements should be made well in advance for the wedding date (normally about one year).

Documents needed for Catholics:

  1. New Baptism Certificate from Church of Baptism
  2. Certificate of First Holy Communion
  3. Confirmation Certificate

Documents needed for Non-Catholics:

  1. Copy of Baptismal Certificate

Pre-Cana must be attended before marriage.

Sponsors

Persons wishing to sponsor candidates for the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, and those wishing to witness the sacrament of Matrimony, must present a statement of eligibility for sponsorship from their pastor. In order to receive such a statement, one must be at least sixteen years of age, a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church, and an active and participating member of his/her parish faith community.

Pastoral Care of our sick or shut-ins

Please call the Rectory to make arrangements to have the Sacrament of the Sick celebrated for your sick or for those shut-ins in your homes. Priest of the parish regularly visit Mulenburg Hospital. We will be happy to visit parishioners in other area hospitals when requested by a family member. Emergency sick calls can be arranged at any time.

Please call the Rectory, also, to make arrangements to have the Holy Eucharist brought to your home for your elderly or shut-ins.

Please let us know if you or some family member needs to be put on the sick list. Also, please inform us when someone's name should be removed from the sick list.