BAPTISM
Baptism at St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake

• Please stop by the parish office to fill out a parish registration form.
• Parents are required to attend a brief Baptismal Preparation class. Please contact the parish office for details and scheduling.
• Submit a copy of your child's state-issued birth certificate to the parish office.

Baptism at a Different Parish

• Contact the parish office and request a letter from St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake granting permission for your child to be baptized at another parish.
• Please be prepared to provide:
  • information on completion of the Baptismal Preparation class
  • name and address of the parish where the baptism will take place
  • date of the baptism

From Another Parish Seeking Baptism at St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake
If you are registered at another parish but requesting Baptism for your child at St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake, you must provide a letter from your parish authorizing your child to be baptized here and verifying your completion of a Baptism Preparation class.

GODPARENTS
Godparents must complete a Godparent Covenant Form (available on this webpage) and attend a Baptismal Preparation class. Please contact the parish office or our Baptism Preparation Lead for more information.

FIRST COMMUNION / RECONCILIATION
First Communion is a time of great joy for our children. Please note the following guidelines and review the First Communion Packet (available on this webpage).

• Student should be in 2^nd grade or above and at least 7 years old.
• Student must have attended a religious education program for at least one year (1^st grade RE or attended Catholic school).
• Student must routinely participate in Mass on Sundays (and more often if the opportunity presents itself).
• Parent must provide a copy of the child's Baptism Certificate.

Additionally, the student should have knowledge of:

• Proper conduct during the Mass
• Reverence for the Eucharist
• Making the Sign of the Cross
• Praying the "Our Father," "Hail Mary," and "Glory Be"
• Performing an examination of conscious and reciting an "Act of Contrition" during First Reconciliation

CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is generally a two-year process. "Year 1" is focused on traditional religious education. This is accomplished by regularly attending religious education classes. "Year 2" expands on the religious education and includes eight weeks (NO absences) of Confirmation-focused breakout sessions for those who have fulfilled all requirements. Please note the following guidelines and review the Confirmation Packet (available on this webpage).

CONFIRMATION CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

• Candidate must be in high school and at least 14 years old.
• Candidate must be willing of own accord to be confirmed in the church.
• Candidate must have been enrolled in religious education program for at least two years prior (7^th/8^th grade RE or Catholic school). If candidate was not enrolled in two years of prior RE, please contact Eileen Wickham ([email protected]) to determine eligibility.
• Candidate must attend two years of religious formation through the High School RE program with no more than two absences per semester.
• Candidate must attend an 8-week Confirmation breakout class – ALL eight classes.
• Candidate must routinely participate in Mass on Sundays (and more often if the opportunity presents itself).
• Candidate must choose a Confirmation sponsor meeting all guidelines, and the sponsor must return a Confirmation Sponsor Covenant form.
• Candidate must turn in copies of Baptism and First Communion certificates.
• Candidate must choose a saint name and write a report about the saint.
• Candidate must complete 20 hours of service.
• Candidate must have an interview with our Pastor or one of the HS RE adults.
• Candidate must attend at least one retreat provided through the RE program.
• Candidate is responsible for timely completing ALL requirements before receiving the sacrament of Confirmation.

CONFIRMATION SPONSOR REQUIREMENTS:
A Confirmation sponsor’s role is to encourage and help sustain the faith of the candidate. The sponsor should be an example to your Confirmation candidate and reflect with the candidate on the meaning of a life of Catholic discipleship. The Code of Canon Law specifies the requirements for serving as a sponsor at Confirmation (Canon 893), which are generally the same as those for Godparents at Baptism (Canon 874).  The sponsor must be at least 16 years old, be fully initiated in the Catholic church, live a life of active Catholic faith, and if married, be validly married in the Catholic church. The sponsor must complete a Confirmation Sponsor Covenant Form (available on this webpage).

Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)
OCIA is a process by which adults, including those baptized in other Christian traditions and those who have never been baptized, can become full members of the Catholic Church through a journey of faith, study, and preparation. Please contact our Pastor or Adult Education / Sacramental Preparation Lead for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions for OCIA


MARRIAGE PREPARATION
Couples seeking the sacrament of marriage in the Catholic Church should contact the parish office at least six months in advance and speak with our Pastor.  Please DO NOT make any formal arrangements or pay any deposits until you first speak with the priest.