St. Emily / St. Thomas Becket<br />Religious Education&#8203;
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Preparation for the Sacraments
 
Consistent enrollment is required every year corresponding to a child’s public school grade level from first through eighth grade.
 
According to the policies of the Archdiocese of Chicago, two years of preparation are necessary for celebrating the sacraments.  Students begin their immediate preparation for the sacrament in the second year.
 
The students in the second grade (who have completed the first year program) are prepared for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist as part of their class sessions.
 
These class sessions are in conjunction with the formation which they receive with their families.  The most important preparation children can receive for the Eucharist is to be regular participants at Sunday mass.
 
Many students take part in the program in the second grade.  However, students of all ages can be part of the process, with older students working in their own groups.
 
These special sacrament classes for students who are not in second grade meet at another time in addition to Wednesday Religious Education.
 
Confirmation is celebrated in the late winter.  Most students will be confirmed in eighth grade, if they have completed the two year confirmation preparation sequence.  Students who begin in grade eight will begin with the seventh grade course (Confirmation I) and complete two years.
 
Students who choose not to be confirmed in junior high can prepare to celebrate the sacrament in high school.
 
In addition to classroom work, students are expected to participate in the parish Confirmation program, which consists of journaling on the works of mercy, special events and a retreat.


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