First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion
When students are in 2nd grade, they will receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliaiton and First Holy Communion. We will work with families to make sure students are aware of the importance of both Sacraments during gathered time as well as using workshops with parents and students and a retreat for students. If your student is in 2nd grade, please contact us to learn about the requirements so they can prepare to receive the Sacraments.
Confirmation
When students are in 9th grade, we begin their immediate preparation for Confirmation. Students will gather with their peers weekly and we break out in small groups to discuss the topics further. There are several requirements for Confirmation by our Bishop, James Powers. Contact us to begin the process of Confirmation for your student.
It is important to note that faith formation NEVER ENDS - it is a life long journey of growth, seeking, and exploration. Confirmation is not the end of the journey, on the contrary, it is the beginning!
Baptismal Prep
Congratulations on choosing to celebrate your child's baptism here at St. Francis Xavier or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. We are honored to be part of this special step in your child's faith journey.
The Catholic Church has always taught and respected the understanding that parents are the primary educators in the faith of their children. Our Baptismal preparation is designed to assist you, parents and godparents, in raising these children in the faith. Please allow ample time to complete this planning. Expectant mothers are encouraged to contact the office before their baby is born. Parents wishing to baptize their child must be registered active members of St. Francis Xavier or St. John the Baptist parish.
Please print out and complete the Baptism Registration Information Form. We need the completed form in order to register a Baptism date. In addition, we need a completed Sacrament of Baptism Sponsor form. One of the Godparents/Sponsors must be an active practicing Catholic.
All Baptismal preparation classes will be held online. If the child to be baptized is under the age of seven, please follow these instructions to register for online baptismal prep:
For the Parents (required):
Complete the online sacramental preparation course, “Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God” available through Ascension Press (Ascensionpress.com).
The current cost of this online course is $9.95.
Access this course at Belonging, Certification Course – Ascension.
Once the course is completed, you will receive a Completion Certificate. Email your completion certificate to Deacon Jim Arndt at jarndt@stfrancismerrill.org.
For the godparents (optional):
Watch the following sessions from “REBORN: You, Your Child, and the Heart of Baptism” available on FORMED.org. We encourage you to watch all sessions for your own spiritual growth.
1. Reborn - Session 2: “Entering the Mystery: The Rite Explained” (24 minutes)
2. Reborn - “The Gift of Godparents: More Than Cards & Presents” (38 minutes)
To access these videos from FORMED.org:
Go to FORMED.org/signup
Find our parish by entering zip code, 54452 and select St. Francis Xavier - Merrill
Register with your name and email address
In FORMED, select “Programs” from the title bar and locate “The Sacraments”
Click on REBORN to watch the videos.
After completing the online Baptismal Prep class, “Belonging,” and emailing the certificate of completion to Deacon Jim, Kris Leggett will contact you to arrange for an in-person meeting with Deacon Jim to finalize the plans for the Baptism.
We understand that every family is unique and that there are often special circumstances. Should you wish to discuss your child's baptismal celebration, please feel free to contact us. To register for a class, or for any other questions relating to the celebration of this important sacrament for your child, please contact Deacon Jim Arndt.
BAPTISM INFORMATION REGISTRATION FORM
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM SPONSOR FORM
BAPTISMAL PREPARATION FOR ADULTS
The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated for adults as the culmination of the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA), the process where you are welcomed into the Catholic faith. If you have questions or are interested in learning about the process of becoming a Catholic as an Adult, please contact Dcn Jim Arndt.