Sacramental Preparation Information

The first type is  “remote” or “on-going” faith formation. This type of formation about growing in one’s understanding of and belief in the faith. We do this through active participation in the life of the Church, attending Mass, prayer, and parish-based or school-based program of faith formation.

The second type is Immediate preparation. This type of preparation is specifically geared to increasing a person’s faith and knowledge of a specific sacrament(s), leading to reception of that sacrament(s) through a parish-based sacramental preparation process.

Consistent with the guidelines established by the Diocese of St. Petersburg, St. Mark looks first to the individual’s remote preparation for evidence of a meaningful journey of faith when a sacrament is requested. For children and teens, this means, at a minimum, successful completion of at least one year of a faith formation program in the school year immediately prior to the school year in which the child or teen is seeking to receive a sacrament. Enrollment in a Catholic school, participation in a parish based faith formation program, or use of a parish-approved faith formation curriculum as part of home schooling can meet this requirement.

Age/grade also are factors in determining eligibility for a sacrament. Typically, we at St. Mark celebrate sacraments with children and teens as follows:

•  Reconciliation (Confession) and Communion 2nd grade / 8 years old or older
•  Confirmation 10th grade / 16 years old or older

• View Fees for Sacraments
• View schedule and preparation for Reconciliation and Communion
• View schedule and preparation for Confirmation