Sacramental Preparation

Volunteer Opportunities

Preparation for Baptism
Baptism Preparation for parents is a requirement before having their child baptized.  Parents are encouraged to attend as soon as they find out they are expecting or planning to adopt a child.

Classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the Parish Center. 

Baptism classes are held every 3 months, January,  April, July, and October.  Check the Preparation dates or bulletin for details.

Baptisms are usually celebrated during the liturgy. The dates, times and locations are presented at the Baptism classes, or you may call the office.

   


Preparation for Eucharist
Planning and preparing for the sacrament of Eucharist is a wonderfully exciting time for both parents and child. The process is simple, yet will require your child's readiness and parental time as a gift to the child.

Families begin this preparation by participating in the Eucharistic Preparation Sessions scheduled in January (see Preparation dates below). Parents attend the first session without the child; parents and child attend sessions 2, 3 and 4.

Parents and child work on their First Eucharist book (which is provided by the parish, along with helpful resources and ideas).

Families decide the First Eucharist date and call Mary Greving. Date and time are your choice (but there are no First Eucharist's during Lent, except for Holy Thursday.)

Check the Preparation dates or bulletin for further details.

Please obtain a copy of your child's baptism certificate if they were not baptized at St. Joseph's and bring to the first class.

   


Preparation for Reconciliation
When parents sense a readiness for their child/children to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a Reconciliation Preparation Course is available.  This is a four-week series designed to give parents a greater understanding of the Sacrament of Reconciliation so they can be comfortable in preparing their child. They are encouraged to take the series when their child(ren) are between the ages of 7 and 11 years old. Parents may attend even before their child is ready for immediate preparation.  Parents attend the first two sessions; parents and child(ren) attend the last two sessions.  The last class is Family Reconciliation celebration.  The course is held during the Lenten season at the Parish Center.

See the Preparation dates or bulletin for further details.

   

Anointing of the Sick
In response to Jesus' ministry of healing the sick, the early Church anointed its sick and later brought this action to be a Sacrament.  It is not a sacrament for the dead or dying - it is for the seriously ill.

This Sacrament, administered by a priest, is to blend the healing of the body and the spirit.  It is meant to be a source of strength and healing, a special moment of grace.  Done within the context of the Parish Community it is the community caring for its sick and the sick persons uniting their pain to the mystery of Jesus' redemptive suffering within the Body of Christ.

The Sacrament is celebrated communally at St. Joseph's after the 4:30pm Saturday Liturgy during Lent and during Advent.  It can also be celebrated individually with the seriously ill person's family anytime upon request.  Please contact Fr. Terry Rassmussen or Sr. Marjorie Bischoff at the parish office (763)544-3352.

   


Confirmation
Please see the youth site for details on Confirmation. 

Marriage
The Community of St. Joseph Parish shares the joy of those entering a life long commitment of love.  Because God is the author of marriage it is of its very nature a holy institution.  Couples requesting to be married at Saint Joseph must contact the Parish Office at least 6 months before the wedding date.  Marriage preparation includes a visit with the Pastor, Prepare Program, and a retreat.  Contact Donna Kranz for a copy of the Marriage Guidelines.  Weddings may take place at the Parish Center or the Little Church.

  Marriage Mentoring
  Marriage Mentoring is a couple-to-couple relationship that seeks to help couples live out their vision for marriage.  Marriage Mentors are couples who are motivated and excited to help guide premarital and newlywed couples through the challenges of beginning a new life together.  Marriage Mentors are not only seeking to help couples through difficult times, but are also interested in hearing couples' success stories, humorous experiences, and other positive aspects of their relationship.  Marriage Mentors are a resource of support, encouragement, and accountability for premarital and newlywed couples.

The primary goal of Marriage Mentoring is to help equip couples for a happy, healthy marriage by teaching them vital skills in communication and conflict resolution, and by sharing their own life experiences.

Marriage Mentoring has other important goals:

  • Strengthen premarital couples' relationships and prepare them for marriage.
  • Improve the quality of marriage for newlywed and married couples.
  • Enrich the marriages of the Marriage Mentors.
  • Match premarital couples with more experienced married couples who have similar interests and backgrounds.
  • Establish a caring community of couples.
   

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) provides a process for adults who are not baptized or were baptized in another tradition and desire to become Catholic. It is also a process for adults who were baptized in the Catholic Church but have not celebrated the sacraments of initiation.

   
 

 

For class schedule or questions, call Mary Greving at 544-3352, ext. 111.

Webmaster

This page last updated on 05/13/2009