Sacramental Life
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Baptism
Contact the Pastor through the Parish Office at 489-3204.

First Eucharist
First Eucharist and Reconciliation

Confirmation
Confirmation

Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturday from 3:00 - 3:45 PM and communally in Advent and Lent or at any time upon request.

Anointing of the Sick
A communal celebration of the Anointing of the Sick is offered annually at Mass and upon request.  Please call the Parish Office.

Matrimony
Please contact the Pastor six months prior to the proposed wedding date.

Holy Orders and Religious Life
Anyone interested in becoming a priest, permanent deacon, brother or sister should contact the Office of Vocations at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany 453-6600 or www.albanyvocations.org

 

First Eucharist and Reconciliation

Children typically celebrate the sacraments of 1st Eucharist and Reconciliation in 2nd grade. They attend two years of preparation classes in either the school or Religious Education programs and celebrate the sacraments in February (Reconciliation) and May (Eucharist). Older children who wish to receive their 1st Eucharist may do so on an individual basis and by contacting the Director of Religious Education at 489-3204 or bernmc@nycap.rr.com

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Confirmation

Our young people celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in either 11th or 12th grade. In order to register successfully in this program, teens should have regularly attended a catechetical program, as well as participated in service activities in our parish and/or through their schools, in both 9th and 10th grades.
The Confirmation calendar of events begins with a parent and candidate meeting in September and continues throughout the year with at least two events a month including a retreat in November. The immediate preparation for the sacrament includes four 1 ½ -hour sessions and one 3-hour mini retreat from January through the end of March for both the candidates and their sponsors. The immediate preparation program is based on the sacramental catechesis model as outlined in Sadlier's Spirit Sets Us Free program. Additionally, it is a tradition at Saint Catherine's that the Confirmation candidates present the Living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday which includes 2 or 3 rehearsals prior to that. Confirmation candidates are called upon often throughout the year (above and beyond calendared events) to assist members or groups of the Parish with special projects, e.g., deliver Thanksgiving collections, decorate and dismantle the Church before and after holidays, assist in special events or liturgical experiences, assist with Religious Ed. classes or projects, etc. We are not privy to the actual date of Confirmation until sometime in January when the Bishop's office issues the spring schedule.  Confirmation Preparation Calendar of Events 2004-2005 September 27              Candidate & Parent Meeting                                7:00 PM – Church October             11             Service/Justice Planning                               4:00 PM - Parish Center November           1 & 2          Interviews w/Fr. Doyle                              3:00 – 5:00 PM on the 1st or                              9:00 AM – 6:00 PM on the 2nd                              (Candidates sign up for one 15 min. slot)                              Parish Center – Office (Front door)           6 & 7          Overnight Retreat                              St. Catherine’s (Drop-Off & Pick-Up at Parish Center)                              4:00 PM – 11:00 AM             21             Rite of Enrollment                              Candidates must attend                              Sponsors are encouraged to attend                              10:00 Mass - Church January   9             Sacramental Preparation – Session 1                               Prayer Service & Class                               5:30 – 7:00 PM - Church & then Parish Center                               Mandatory Attendance for both Candidates & Sponsors 23              Sacramental Preparation – Session 2                                Prayer Service & Class                                5:30 – 7:00 PM – Church & then Parish Center                                Mandatory Attendance for both Candidates & Sponsors February   6              Sacramental Preparation – Session 3                                Prayer Service & Class                                5:30 – 7:00 PM – Church & then Parish Center                                Mandatory Attendance for both Candidates & Sponsors 27              Sacramental Preparation – Session 4                                Prayer Service & Class                                5:30 – 7:00 PM – Church & then Parish Center                                Mandatory Attendance for both Candidates & Sponsors March 13              Closing Session/MiniRetreat                                5:30 – 7:30 PM – School Cafeteria                                Mandatory Attendance for both Candidates & Sponsors 20              Living Stations of the Cross Rehearsal                               Time TBA – Church & Parish Center             25              Living Stations Rehearsal & Presentation                               9:00 AM – 3:00 PM - Church & Parish Center  TBA                              Hunger Meal                               Confirmation Rehearsal & Celebration*                              (Most likely in April)  *The exact date of Confirmation is not known until January, 2005 when the Bishop’s Office sends us the Spring schedule (and therefore rehearsal date is also unknown until that time)  PLEASE NOTE: 1.   There will be Youth Ministry activities offered throughout the year. Please look for announcements in the Bulletin and through email. 2.  Confirmation Candidates are called upon often throughout the year      (above and beyond the calendared activities) to assist members or      groups of the      Parish with special events. Please expect to help out with one or      two of these activities. top