August 25, 2019, Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Restoring the order of the reception of the Sacraments
By now I hope you all have read the Bishop’s letter concerning the restoration of the order of the receiving the sacraments of initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion. In his letter the Bishop wrote, “The practice of postponing the reception of Confirmation until the teenage years has not always been beneficial. An alarming percentage of our Catholic children who were baptized and received First Holy Communion, do not continue their formation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, and in too many cases, never receive the Sacrament. As your shepherd, I believe it is important for our children, before they reach their adolescent years, to receive the strength of this important Sacrament.”
Our new diocesan policy will be fully implemented over the next three years. The progressive lowering of the age for Confirmation will take place as follows:
This academic year 2019-2020
1. All students who completed Pre-Confirmation class at Cathedral last year (2018-2019) will continue their studies and will receive Confirmation this December 15th, 2019.
2. We invite all those of High School age and including 8th graders, who did not previously attend
Pre-Confirmation last year to begin preparation now, the Fall 2019. During the spring semester, those who faithfully participate in the program will receive Confirmation on Wednesday evening March
25th, 2020.
The following academic year, 2020-2021, all children who are 3rd grade and older will receive instruction to receive Confirmation. Those who have not yet received Holy Communion will receive both Sacraments at the same ceremony from that point on.
The Opening Mass for the CCD year will take place at 5:30 pm Wednesday September 4th and registration will follow. Please contact the parish office for more information.
