Our Lady of Fatima Parish

Father Chris Gernetzke - Administrator
[email protected]
608-561-7234

Sarah Breuer - Director of Faith Formation
[email protected]
608-776-4059

We recognize that the Sacraments have a visible and invisible reality, a reality open to all the human senses but grasped in its God-given depths with the eyes of faith. When parents hug their children, for example, the visible reality we see is the hug. The invisible reality the hug conveys is love. We cannot "see" the love the hug expresses, though sometimes we can see its nurturing effect in the child.

The visible reality we see in the Sacraments is their outward expression, the form they take, and the way in which they are administered and received. The invisible reality we cannot "see" is God's grace, his gracious initiative in redeeming us through the death and Resurrection of his Son. His initiative is called grace because it is the free and loving gift by which he offers people a share in his life, and shows us his favor and will for our salvation. Our response to the grace of God's initiative is itself a grace or gift from God by which we can imitate Christ in our daily lives. - USCCB

 

Reception of the Sacraments

What a joy when a child is ready to prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation/Confession, First Holy
Communion, or Confirmation! Being forgiven of our sins in Reconciliation, receiving the most Precious Body and Blood of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, and receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation are great gifts given to us by Jesus and entrusted to the Church. In addition to being at least seven years old by the date of First Holy Communion (Sunday, May 5th, 2024), those seeking the Sacrament of First Reconciliation must:
    - be a baptized Catholic,  - have attained the use of reason,  - have contrition for sin, 
                       - have a firm resolution to sin no more,  - and be suitably instructed and properly disposed.

Furthermore, those seeking First Holy Communion must:
    - be a baptized Catholic,  - have made a prior confession,  - have attained the use of reason, 
                    - be in a state of grace,  - be suitably instructed and properly disposed*, 
    - and have abstained from food or drink for at least one hour prior to reception.

Those seeking Confirmation must:
     - be a baptized Catholic,    - of the age of reason,     -suitably instructed and properly disposed*,   
                     - able to renew the baptismal promises (CIC 889).
    It is expected that individuals who are preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation are practicing the faith
    and obedient to the precepts of the Church. To read the precepts of the Church, please read the Catechism
    of the Catholic Church Paragraphs 2041-2043. (CCC 2041-2043)

*In order to be considered as suitably instructed and properly disposed, children must “understand the
mystery of Christ according to their capacity and be able to receive the body of Christ with faith and
devotion.”

When ready, the preparation for these sacraments is also a wonderful opportunity for parents and/or sponsors to likewise grow deeper in their faith as they have the chance to experience the journey along with their children. The Diocese of Madison recognizes this unique opportunity by including parent involvement in the requirements for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, and parent/sponsor involvement for Confirmation. It is certainly true that no matter where we are in our faith, there is always room to grow, especially through the lens of leading our children in the faith. Additionally, growing in community with other parents and families can add so much to our faith and to this preparation experience. Even more, it is a journey that invites the child and parents to the love, grace, and mercy that Jesus is waiting to pour out upon each of us. It is truly a joyful time full of potential! On that note, First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation sacramental preparation for the 2023-24 school year will be a program for all families in our parish, in the Faith Formation Program, in Catholic School, and those who homeschool. These will be the required additional sessions outside of the normal family faith formation schedule and/or school day. One or both parents are expected to attend the First Communion and Reconciliation sessions with their child. For Confirmation, it is expected that one or both parents are present at the first 3 meetings, and that sponsors attend the next 3 meetings. In the case that a sponsor is unable to attend, a parent should attend in their place. These sacramental prep sessions will be held approximately once per month in the Holy Rosary Church Basement (please see full schedule below).

 For First Communion and First Reconciliation, parents will meet at the same time as their children, but they will have sessions geared specifically for adults. For Confirmation, the parents and students will meet together. We are excited to be using the “Signs of Grace” curriculum from the Augustine Institute for the children’s First Communion and Reconciliation program, and parents will be using the “Forgiven” and “Presence” adult faith formation series, also from the Augustine Intitute. 

To register your child for Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation or First Communion, scroll to the top of this page and click on "First Reconciliation and First Communion" in the top left column of this page.

To register your child for Sacramental Preparation for Confirmation, scroll to the top of this page and click on "Confirmation" in the top left column of this page.