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Sacrament Preparation Guidelines

General

Guidelines for Celebrating Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop (USCCB, 2017)

Online Resources on the Seven Sacraments from the USCCB

Infant Baptism

Diocesan Guidelines Infant Baptism (1995) - also addresses child younger than age of reason

Resouces for Use in Baptism Preparation:

Godparent/Sacramental Sponsor Form (Feb 2018)

Marriage Preparation 

Marriage Preparation Guidelines "Telling Anew the Story of Marriage" (2009)

Info on diocesan policy, permissions, dispensations, etc.

2019 Marriage Preparation Options

Preparing Children for Confirmation & First Eucharist

The Diocese of Portland  Guidelines to Prepare Children for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist was approved and published in June 2015.  The guidelines establish a two year preparation process for all children preparing to receive Penance, Confirmation and First Eucharist which includes the involvement of their parents/guardians.  Below you will find a link to these guidelines.  A variety of resources to support parish leaders in the implementation of this policy have been prepared by the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation and the Sacrament Guideline Committee.  Follow the links below.

Bishop's Letter

Guidelines

• Conformity Listing of Catechetical Texts and Series

• Sacraments of Christian Initiation of Children (Chart)

Communicating with parents / guardians

• Sample Bulletin Announcement

• Sample Letter to Parents & Guardians

• Sample Parent Brochure

• Family Consultation with Parish Leaders

Sacrament Preparation - Year 1

Sample Parent Handbook

• Printable Mass Book for Children

Glossary        

Sample Parent Sessions

•  Who do you say that I am?

Handout for Who do you say that I am?

•  Bible in a Nutshell: Scripture

•  The Power of the Sacraments

•  Do this in Memory of Me:  Encounter Jesus in the Eucharist

•  Hello!  Can you Hear Me Now? Prayer

•  I am The Way, Come Follow Me: Following Jesus as a Family

Sacrament Preparation - Year 2

Sample Parent Handbook

Glossary

Sample Parent Sessions

• Forgiving One Another

• Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation

• The Holy Spirit and You

• Sacrament of Confirmation

• Jesus, the Bread of Life

• Celebrating the Eucharist

Resources and Articles  

Resources for Sacrament Preparation

Including: Sacrament Preparation Program for Parishes • Confirmation Preparation for Teens • Resources for Parent Formation • Resources for Children with Disabilities • Video Resources for Children • Supplemental Resources for Families • Suggested Books

Articles

• Coaching Parents to Form Their Own Children by Bill Huebsch

• Catechizing Parents through their Children’s Sacraments by Janet Schaeffler, OP

• Confirmation: Restored Order by Msgr. Michael Henchal

• What do parents want to hear from the Church?

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