SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
Infant Baptisms (includes young children)
For infants and children below the age of seven, the sacrament of Baptism is celebrated four weekends each year, during the Masses or at a Sunday noon Baptism service led by our deacon. Advance registration for the baptism date and time is required. On request, it may be possible for baptism be celebrated on some other date by individual arrangement with the pastor. Parents participate in a pre-baptism preparation class (one evening). A separate advance registration is required for the class.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
RCIA is an initiation process for persons not baptized, baptized in another denomination or baptized Catholic without completing the other sacraments of initiation, who are interested in entering into full communion with the Catholic community. RCIA begins in the fall and culminates with baptism/confirmation/Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Weekly meetings resume after Easter for a few weeks. Persons who were baptized in another denomination, and who have been very fully catechized and active members of that denomination, may not need a full catechetical process, and may, with the agreement of the pastor, undertake a briefer preparation process appropriate to their needs, and be received into the Catholic Church at some time other than the Easter Vigil.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC)
RCIC is a faith formation and initiation process for children, age seven or older, who are unbaptized, or who have been baptized in some other denomination and wish to become Catholic. It is similar to the RCIA, modified to meet the needs of children. They take part in catechetical formation, either as students at Nativity School, or in the weekly religious education classes. They attend additional formation classes for the RCIC group. They participate in the liturgical rites of initiation during the year along with the adults in the RCIA, with adaptations for the needs and developmental stages of the children. As with the adults in the RCIA, the process culminates in the children's baptism, confirmation and reception of First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
First Eucharist
First Eucharist is ordinarily celebrated in second grade, though some families wait a year or so if their child is not developmentally ready, or if some family emergency prevents their participation that year.
All registered parish families with children in second grade (or older) who have not yet celebrated First Eucharist will receive mailings inviting them to register for the program. It commences with a parent orientation session in the early fall. Throughout the year, parents and children engage in formation activities at home, especially in the seasons of Advent and Lent. Parents attend a one-evening class on the Mass in midwinter. Parents and children together attend three "Family Evenings" of preparation during Lent. First Eucharist is celebrated at designated Sunday Masses during the Easter season.
First Reconciliation
First Reconciliation is ordinarily celebrated in second grade, before First Eucharist. Parents must also register their children for this preparation process. If they are registered members, they will receive an invitation in the mail in the late spring and again in the late summer, along with the First Eucharist program notice. They attend the same parent orientation session, do faith formation activities with their children at home, and attend three "Family Evenings" of preparation in the fall. First Reconciliation is celebrated at a communal celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation in the late fall.
Confirmation
This two-year program is centered on making a deeper commitment to Christ. The young people will learn what it means to be a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church and the responsibilities that go along with being a disciple of Christ. The program requirements revolve around service, catechesis, prayer, community and church awareness. Parents and sponsors are important partners for our young people on their journey of faith. It is crucial that we stay actively involved in all aspects of their preparation for Confirmation including weekly Mass attendance, daily prayer, service projects, and all other faith enhancing projects.
Marriage
Ordinarily, for a wedding to take place at Nativity, at least one of the couple, or his/her family, must have been a member of Nativity of Mary parish for at least six months prior to beginning marriage preparation. Exceptions can sometimes be made for persons living within the canonical geographic area assigned to Nativity of Mary, or at the discretion of the pastor. Marriage preparation must begin at least six months before the date of the wedding. No wedding date is assured until it is cleared through the pastor's schedule and the church's schedule; it is prudent to do this before making arrangements for your reception or other commitments. The process begins with an intake meeting, to set the wedding date and orient the couple (see below). The process includes a meeting with the pastor, a series of meetings with a mentor couple, and additional work done by the couple between meetings. Pre-Marriage Ministry Trained volunteer couples assist engaged couples to prepare for the sacrament of matrimony. The engaged couples are oriented to marriage practices here at Nativity, and take a professionally-scored pre-marriage inventory. A volunteer couple then helps the engaged couple to discuss and reflect upon the insights to be gained from the inventory results. As a fringe benefit, the volunteer couples find their own marriages enriched.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Adult Faith Formation
Each year, we present a varied menu of adult faith formation opportunities, generally in response to parishioner suggestions. Recent programs included bible studies, the Archdiocesan Evangelization Initiative, explorations of Catholic history and Church teachings, discussions of current faith issues, study of other religions, the popular "Water Cooler Questions" series. Most of the programs are taught or facilitated by staff or parishioners. When the budget allows it, we have occasional guest speakers. Any parishioner is welcome to contact the Director of Adult and Sacramental Formation with requests or suggestions for future programming.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH FAITH FORMATION
Liturgy of the Word for Children
1st grade through 4th grade children are invited to participate in Liturgy of the Word for Children during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. Adult volunteers in this ministry present the day's readings in child-friendly language and discuss the Scripture with the children. We offer Liturgy of the Word for Children most weekends of the year.
Religious Education
Religious Education is a Wednesday night program for children in the parish who attend non-Catholic schools, and Sunday School is open to all four- and five-year-olds. Volunteer teachers and assistants work with grades 1-8 (Pre K and K on Sunday mornings), using a classroom-based religion curriculum that addresses both Scripture and Catholic tradition. Our programming emphasizes service and community, in addition to doctrine. Religious Education has a long tradition and meets a great need for many Catholic families. Over 200 children and 20-30 volunteers participate in RE and Sunday School each year.
Youth Ministry
Nativity Youth Ministry exists to Celebrate and Empower our youth to become living signs of God's
love. Youth Ministry offers the teens of the parish opportunities to serve others in our own
community and country through service projects. Youth Ministry also allows the teens to grow in their leadership abilities, have retreat experiences or simply meet weekly in the youth room for fellowship,
fun, food and prayer.
