Religious Education for Children

At St Patrick's Parish, children are invited to learn about the Catholic faith and grow in their relationship with God and God’s Church. We offer preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation which are Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist (Communion), as well as First Reconciliation (Confession). Parents are expected to accompany their child on this lifelong journey and encouraged to deepen their own faith and relationship with God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit!


The Sacraments


BAPTISM

The Holy Spirit calls us to faith. Anyone of any age is always welcome to answer the call, come and see, learn about the Catholic faith, and prepare for baptism to enter a new life in the Body of Christ. 


Adults wishing to be baptized are required to attend the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). This program is offered once a year through the parish.  See separate RCIA section below.  


For the baptism of infants and young children, parents are required to be registered parishioners, attend a baptismal preparation class (roughly two hours), and plan to raise their child in the Catholic faith. Candidates who are baptized as infants and young children develop their faith first in the home, through the example and guidance of their parents and godparents. St Patrick’s offers baptismal classes once a month for parents of infants and young children. Please see the parish bulletin or contact the office for the date of the next baptism class. Baptisms are scheduled on weekends within the celebration of the mass, with baptism dates being scheduled through the Baptismal Prep Coordinator.  For more information contact the Baptismal Prep Coordinator hcspbaptismalprep@rcdvictoria.org.


For baptism of older children (school aged), the child together with the parents are required to attend the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC). St Patrick’s offers the RCIC program as needed.  For further information contact the Sacramental Prep Coordinator Michele Bristow mbristow@rcdvictoria.org.  


CONFESSION

Confession is also known as the sacrament of reconciliation, penance or healing. Children (at about grade two or 7 years of age) who are able to understand right from wrong, learn through immersion in the Word of God about the mystery of God’s Love, how we encounter that Love, and how to respond to that Love, and what to do when we have not responded in kind. Before we receive Holy Communion we need to receive God’s forgiving love for those times that we have not loved Him and our neighbours as Jesus teaches us. It is just as it is with a friend or family, before we share a meal we make sure that all is well in our relationship.


CONFIRMATION & FIRST COMMUNION

The Diocese of Victoria follows the Restored Order of the Reception of the Sacraments of Initiation, where children receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and then receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Confirmation can be received when a person reaches the age of discretion (age 7) according to the Rite of Confirmation and Canon Law (Canon #891). Through God’s Word, ritual prayer, and active learning experiences, we prepare children (at about grade three or 8 years of age) to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation which completes their Baptism. At the same time, children who are able to distinguish the Blessed Sacrament from ordinary bread are welcome to the table of the Eucharist and prepare for their First Holy Communion. The Eucharist is the “summit” of Christian initiation and celebrates our full membership in the Body of Christ


Sacramental Preparation Classes


Year 1 of the Sacramental Preparation program at St Patrick’s prepares children in grade two (7-8 years old) to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 


Year 2 of the Sacramental Preparation program at St Patrick’s prepares children in grade three (8-9 years old) to celebrate the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion. 


The Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) may be offered as needed at St Patrick’s to prepare older children for Baptism, First Reconciliation, Confirmation and/or First Communion. Note that RCIC is different from the baptismal preparation classes offered to parents of infants and young children.


For all programs, each child attends classes with a parent, and together, they are expected to complete all units for the sacrament to be received. If your child is 7+ years old by the end of this year, please register via this Fillable Registration Form.  This can be mailed or emailed to the parish office.  You must attach a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate and you must be a registered parishioner of either Holy Cross or St Patrick’s Parishes. 


Click links here for forms:

Registration for Sacramental Preparation


For more information contact Michele Bristow   mbristow@rcdvictoria.org or the parish office at 250-592-7391 or stpat190@telus.net.  

Rite of Christian Initiation For Adults (RCIA)

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults or RCIA is a program designed for:

  1. Adults who have been validly baptized in another Christian denomination and who now want to be received into the Catholic Church;
  2. Adults who have not been baptized as a Christian and would like to become a member of the Catholic Church;
  3. Adults who have not made a commitment to join the Church but who would like more information about the Catholic faith; and
  4. Adults who were baptized in the Catholic Church as children but who have not completed their initiation into the Church and have not received their First Communion and/or the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The program begins in September of each year and runs until the following Easter when those who have completed their initiation are formally adopted as full members of the Church.  


Anyone interested in finding out more about the RCIA program or obtaining information about becoming a Catholic should contact Father William Hann at 250-592-7391 or sppastor@rcdvictoria.org.