Sacrament Preparation Contacts
For adult sacrament preparation:
Parish house – 718-680-1010
For children’s sacrament preparation:
Ann Smyth, Director of Religious Education, – 718-680-1010, ext 20
Please click here to email us.
Sacrament Information
Sacraments are liturgical celebrations of the Church, given to us by Jesus, that make us sharers in the life of God.
The Sacraments of Baptism, the Eucharist (Holy Communion) and Confirmation are the sacraments of Christian initiation. These sacraments lay the foundation of every Christian life. Baptism frees us from sin and makes us children of God. We receive Jesus in the Eucharist so that the life of grace received in Baptism is increased and renewed. Confirmation enriches us with the special strength of the Holy Spirit to help us be true disciples of Jesus.
The sacraments lead us to a deeper relationship with God. To help each child to develop this relationship, St. Andrew’s offers each child the opportunity to be prepared to receive the sacraments, following the guidelines set out by the Diocese of Brooklyn. The guidelines require that each school-aged child must be at least given two consecutive years of faith formation before being baptized, receiving Holy Communion or being confirmed.
Baptized children are prepared to receive the sacraments following these guidelines:
- Second-grade children who have attended a first-grade Religious Education class are prepared during their weekly classes for their first Holy Communion and for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The children, together with their parents, are required to attend an afternoon retreat as part of the formation process for the celebration of the sacrament. Children will receive Jesus in their first Holy Communion during the Sunday Mass celebrations during the Easter Season.
- Children who are in the Second through Eighth Grades and who are coming to Religious Education classes for the first time are prepared through their attendance at the weekly classes for their first Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The children, together with their parents, are required to attend an afternoon retreat. At the end of two consecutive years of preparation, the children will receive Jesus in their first Holy Communion during the Sunday Mass celebrations during the Easter Season.
- The Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred upon Eighth Graders and high school students who have attended two consecutive years of Religious Education classes. The candidates are required to attend a retreat facilitated by St. Andrew’s Jornada Youth Group. Other segments of the preparation involve eight hours of community service and/or serving the parish during the Sunday Mass celebrations (for example, serving as Hospitality Ministers, altar servers or as a choir member).