Faith Formation / Sacramental Preparation

Sacramental Preparation/Formation

"The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1131)

Eucharist and Reconciliation Preparation For Second Graders In the Diocese of Pittsburgh, children normally prepare for the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation during second grade. Our parish program provides parents with a text that they complete together with their children, combined with material in the children's regular textbooks. Children also participate in a First Eucharist Retreat. First Reconciliation is normally celebrated on a Saturday during Lent and First Eucharist celebrations are scheduled during regular Saturday and Sunday Mass times in the Easter Season.

Confirmation Preparation for Eighth Graders In the Diocese of Pittsburgh the Sacrament of Confirmation is normally celebrated in the Spring of the Eighth grade, or in the Fall of Ninth Grade. At St. A's, Confirmation takes place in the Spring of Eighth grade. Preparation includes a meeting for parents and candidates, a service experience, a stewardship experience, a saint report, a letter to the Pastor, two Diocesan-required informational classes featuring a DVD with Bishop David Zubic, and a prayerful retreat. Click below for any Confirmation Forms you need:

Marriage Preparation Couples must meet with a priest at least six months prior to their wedding date. Also couples are required to attend an approved marriage preparation program. The parish offers a very personalized and effective Mentor Couple approach to Marriage Preparation. Or couples may choose from a variety of programs offered elsewhere in the Diocese. Call the Parish Center Main Office for details.

Baptism Preparation For Baptism of Infants/Young Children Infants and young children are Baptized based on the faith of their parents, who then have the honor and solemn responsibility of passing on their faith in Jesus Christ to the child through their own teaching and practice of the faith. Baptism preparation for infants and young children is directed toward preparation of the parents. The parish offers a parent seminar once every three months. Baptisms are normally celebrated on the third Sunday of each month at 1:00 PM. Please call the Parish Center Main Office for details.

Sacramental Preparation for Older Children (ages 4 - 18) St. Athanasius Parish understands that due to the many challenges of life, sometimes children may not receive their Sacraments at the "normal" time. Children and teenagers who may have missed the normal time for sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist (First Communion), Reconciliation, and/or Confirmation are welcome to prepare for and receive the Sacraments at any time. Parents are asked to call the Faith Formation office, and a sacramental preparation program will be devised to suit their needs, based upon the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) model adapted for children.

Sacramental Preparation for Adults - Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, and/or Reconciliation (Also known as Penance or Confession) The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) process has been designed to provide a relaxed, friendly and deeply spiritual way for un-baptized persons and Non-Catholic Christians to learn more about the Catholic faith, discern if they are called to be come members of the Catholic Church, and if they are called, to receive the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Sacramental preparation is also available for adult Catholics who may have missed out on preparation for Eucharist, Reconciliation, or Confirmation. Please call the faith formation office.