Sacramental Guidelines

Baptism
Infant: Every parish shall provide baptismal catechesis for the parents who request baptism for their infant (s). Contact your pastor to find out dates and times the parish conducts Baptismal preparation classes for parents.

Criteria:
a. One or both parents should be Catholic, active in the practice of faith, i.e., they should have an active relationship with the Church and are attempting to live out its values.
b. Suitable godparents should be chosen following the norms of the Code of Canon Law #875.
c. The parents and godparents have become instructed as to the nature of the Sacrament and their responsibility to the child, and have shown signs that they are willing to accept and fulfill these responsibilities.

Children: Parishes shall, whenever possible, provide a Catechumenate program, distinct form the regular religious education program, to meet the needs of children, who have reached the age of reason (7), seeking initiation into the parish community. They shall likewise provide an opportunity for the children to celebrate the rites of the Catechumenate adapted to their level

Criteria:
a. The child should be free of impediments (parental restraint) and have the intention and desire to be baptized.
b. The child should have an attitude of openness to on-going conversion.
c. There should be an understanding of Church doctrine appropriate to the child's age.
d. The child's idea of membership should include: participation in the worshiping community, participation in service appropriate to the child's age, and openness to continuing catechesis.

Adults: Parishes shall, whenever possible, provide a Catechumenate program for all adults seeking initiation into the parish community as well as opportunities to celebrate the liturgical rites of the Catechumenate.

Criteria:
a. The person should be free of impediments and have the intention and desire to be baptized.
b. The person should lack attachment to grave sin and have an attitude of openness to on-going conversion.
c. There should be no evidence of grave difficulty with the doctrines of the Church.
d. The individual's idea of membership should include: openness to the whole Catholic church, not simply the local parish, participation in the worshiping community, and participation in service.


First Reconciliation
Catholics who have attained the use of reason have a right to the Sacrament of Penance unless prevented by law. One who completes his/her seventh year is presumed to have the use of reason (Canon #97.2) and with all the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their graves sins at least once a year (Canon #989).

Parish religious formation programs provide education for a child's First Reconciliation in the second grade. This includes instruction on the meaning and manner of celebrating the rite of penance. Parishes shall provide preparation meeting (s) for all parent (s) and/or guardians who have a child preparing for First Reconciliation.


First Eucharist
The preparation for the sacrament of First Eucharist involves the pastor, parents and/or sponsors, and catechists of children, supported by prayer and ritual with the parish community. During their preparation, candidates not only learn the truths of faith regarding the Eucharist, but also how to participate actively. Thus, "children should be taught the Holy Eucharist is the real body and blood of Christ, and what appear to be bread and wine is actually His living body" (NCD #122).
Religious formation programs provides immediate catechesis for Eucharist,

"...Continued catechesis is given yearly in all catechetical programs for children, in as much as the sacraments require lifelong participation and study" (NCD #122). Remote preparation for First Eucharist shall include catechesis in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which is celebrated prior to his/her First Eucharist. Parishes shall provide preparation meeting (s) for all parent (s) and/or guardians who have a child preparing for First Reconciliation.


Confirmation
Those who were baptized in infancy continue on their journey toward full Christian initiation through the Sacrament of Confirmation. In this sacrament, the confirmandi ratify their baptismal promises, "are enriched by the gift of the Holy Spirit...[and the sacrament] strengthens them and obliges them more firmly to be witnesses to Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith" (Canon #879).

At the present time, Confirmation in the Diocese of Tulsa is offered to people who are sixteen years of age or older, ordinarily juniors in high school, unless a parish has adopted a Restored Order to the administration of Sacraments.

All people who receive Confirmation will be adequately prepared for this sacrament. This preparation will include retreat experiences, a study of the basic teachings of the Catholic faith, an awareness of the services (missionary) dimension of the Church, and an appreciation of the significance of Confirmation.

Parishes shall provide preparation meeting (s) for all parent (s), sponsors and/or guardians who have a son/daughter preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation.