Catholics are called and obligated to have their children baptized and raised in the Catholic Church. Infants are normally baptized prior to the age of 6 months, but only after parents or guardians will assure the Church that they fully intend to raise them in the faith and to be part of the faith community.
    Parents are required to attend preparation meeting/s so that they may better understand the promises that they are making concerning raising the child in faith.
    Children older than 7 years of age should be enrolled in our Religious Education Program. Youths who are in the 7th grade or older who are to be baptized or received in the Church will receive all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) at the Easter liturgies.
    Adults who are considering joining the Catholic faith normally go through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and are received into the Church during the Easter Vigil.

Adults who join the Catholic Church are welcomed into the Church through a process of conversion, faith development, and ritual celebration. Commonly referred to as the RCIA, or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This initiation process begins as an individual is moved to ask questions about the Faith and comes to inquire if Christian life in the Catholic Church might be "right" for his/her own life.
    This first "inquiry" phase actually lasts as long as an individual wishes to explore initial questions of faith. In our parish, we invite interested people to join a series of "inquiry" sessions each fall. Participants are given the opportunity at the end of this time to make a commitment to developing a deeper relationship with Christ and the Church. If the individual is not ready at that time to make such a commitment, he/she may continue at the "inquiry" level.
    A person who moves into the second phase spends time in deeper faith exploration and study of Catholic traditions. After a period of purification and enlightenment, one may be brought into full communion with the Church through the reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at Easter. If a person who was baptized in another Christian tradition (that baptizes in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and wishes to join the Catholic Church, there is no re-baptism; that person reaffirms his faith and receives the sacraments that are appropriate for his situation.
    Participation in inquiry sessions does not imply a commitment to join the Church. It is recommended that anyone who is seeking a greater understanding of the Catholic Church begin to become involved with a particular Catholic parish so that information about faith and the Church is not seen as being isolated from real life experience.
    Each inquirer is offered a sponsor who attends sessions with them and shares his or her own faith experiences with the inquirer.
    If you are interested in finding out more about the RCIA call the parish office.
 

REGISTRATION FORM

FIRST RECONCILIATION &

FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAM

In the past, most Catholics have taken it for granted that preparing children for First Communion is the sole responsibility of the Catholic Schools and the Parish Catechism Programs.

What does this assumption tell us about faith? We are so used to handing our children over to an “expert” for their education…a teacher, a priest, a coach, etc.

And yet, the Catholic Church teaches very clearly that PARENTS, not the school, not the parish, but PARENTS are the primary educators of their children. When it comes to your child, YOU are the EXPERT!

YOU are the primary educators of your children. YOU teach them not only by what you say, but also by what you DO. And not only what you do on special occasions, but what you do in everyday life.

Becoming actively involved in your child’s preparation for First Communion will tell him/her that you are taking seriously the special event that will be taking place in their lives.

By your commitment, you are communicating your own faith to your child. What you do after your child’s First Communion will also communicate something about your faith to your child.

It is very vital that your child SEE the following:

• that you believe and participate in the Eucharist

• that you pray together as a family

• that you help them form their conscience in situations of everyday life (sharing their things, helping around the house, getting along with others, taking responsibility for homework, forgiving friends and siblings, giving thanks for parents, family and teachers).

Information about First Reconciliation

and First Communion in our churches in 2012:

Thank you very much to all the parents who attended our organizational meeting on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 7.00 PM in Daysland. Thank you for your active participation. Here are the decisions we all made together during the meeting:

·         Children will be prepared by the parents at home,

·         Children will receive First Holy Communion as a group in each parish,

·         Children will go to individual First Reconciliation on May 01, 2012 at 7.30 PM after special Penitential Celebration as a group.

As a way of preparation to receive First Holy Communion children are invited to participate in three special Celebrations during regular Sunday Masses. Here are the themes and dates of these special Celebrations:

Ø  CELEBRATION OF ENROLLMENT:

• Daysland - Sun, Jan. 08, 2012 at 11.00 AM Mass

• Heisler - Sun., Jan. 15, 2012 at 9.00 AM Mass

• Killam - Sun., Jan. 15, 2012 at 11.00 AM Mass

 

Ø  CELEBRATION OF ILLUMINATION:

• Heisler - Sun., Feb. 05, 2012 at 11.00 AM Mass

• Daysland - Sun., Feb. 12, 2012 at 11.00 AM Mass

• Killam - Sun., Feb. 19, 2012 at 11.00 AM Mass

 

Ø  CELEBRATION OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE BIBLE:

• Heisler - Sun., Mar. 04, 2012 at 11.00 AM Mass

• Daysland - Sun., Mar. 11, 2012 at 11.00 AM Mass

• Killam - Sun., Mar. 18, 2012 at 11.00 AM Mass

The date for First Celebration of Sacrament of Reconciliation:

§  Daysland – Wednesday, May 01, 2012 at 7.30 PM in Our Lady of the Prairies Church

The dates for First Holy Communion Celebrations:

v  Daysland – Sunday, May 06, 2012 during 9.00 AM Mass in Our Lady of the Prairies Church

 

v  Heisler – Sunday, May 06, 2012 during 11.00 AM Mass in St. Martin Church

 

v  Killam – Sunday, May 20, 2012 during 11.00 AM Mass in St. Joseph Church

 

 

§  For more information call office at 780-385-3503 or toll free 1-877-355-3503

         The first step in planning to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage in our parishes is to meet with the parish priest for the initial interview. Please call parish office to arrange for an appointment with priest at 780-385-3503 or TOLL FREE at 1-877-355-3503. If you have a date in mind, please contact him well in advance. He might have bookings already more than a year in advance. NO DATES ARE SET OVER THE PHONE. This is to be done at the initial appointment with the priest.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION

             All couples being married in the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Edmonton must participate in a Marriage Preparation Program. Premarital assessment/counseling may be also advised in some cases.

            Marriage Preparation Programs are not offered by our parish. The couple is invited to participate in the courses offered by the Archdiocese of Edmonton or with Edmonton Catholic Engaged Encounter. Please note that classes are on a first come, first served basis. More information (brochures and dates of preparation sessions) can be obtained on diocesan website at: http://www.caedm.ca/ArchdiocesanOffices/FamilyandLife/MarriagePreparation.aspx. If you need more information please contact our parish office.

BAPTISM CERTIFICATES

            Immediately after the initial interview, please contact the church where you were baptized and ask them to issue an updated certificate of baptism which you must then deliver to parish office at Killam. This applies to persons baptized in other faith traditions as well as Catholics. If you were baptized in one of our parishes our office will prepare the certificate for you automatically.

MARRIAGE LICENSE

            Your marriage registration form from the provincial government (Marriage License) is to be obtained no sooner than 90 days before your marriage from any registry office. Please deliver the license to our parish office in Killam at least two weeks before your wedding date.

            If you want a certificate of marriage from the provincial government, you can apply for this at any registry office. You will receive a certificate of marriage from our parish office after the celebration of marriage on the day of your wedding.

DECORATIONS

             Decorations (including flowers) are never placed on the altar. They may be placed with discretion around the altar and ambo. Pew markers may be attached with elastics or ties: no tape please. If you would like to donate any flowers from your marriage celebration to the church, you are most welcome to do so. No confetti etc. is to be used in the church or on the church grounds as it tracks in on shoes and is hard to get out of the church carpet. Sprinkling of artificial flower petals may be done during the entrance or closing procession. If you choose to do so you are asked to clean the church right after the wedding ceremony, so the church is nice and clean for our weekend Masses.

PUNCTUALITY

             Please be on time for your rehearsal and marriage celebration. If you are late, it might mean rushing your celebration.

CELEBRATING THE MARRIAGE

             The Marriage Liturgy in the Catholic Church can be celebrated within the Mass or outside the Mass in a Liturgy of the Word Service.

            When a Catholic marries a person of another faith the Canadian Conference of Bishops and the Canadian Council of Churches (which represents Protestant Christian Churches as well as the Catholic Church) request that the celebration of these marriages takes place within a Liturgy of the Word, and not within Mass. This is so as not to emphasize differences on an occasion when we are celebrating a new unity of both the couple and their families.

            In the new rite all are considered to be witnesses. Therefore there is no need for bridesmaids or groomsmen. Two people from the congregation can be named to sign the register. It is still permissible to have bridesmaids and groomsmen if you wish.

   FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES  

CHURCH: A donation for the use of the church you are being married in would be very much appreciated. Couples like to have an idea of how much to give. Donations vary from $75.00 - $150.00.

MUSIC: Please discuss the cost for music with the person(s) you have asked to provide the music.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAM: The cost is dependent on which program you take.

PRIEST: Couples like to have an idea of how much to give - donations vary from $75.00 - $150.00

           The best way to contact parish priest is by e-mail to: pastor@rcfamily.ca

Our participation in the Sacrament of Penance recognizes our need to reconcile ourselves to the loving call of God as we recognize how our sins hurts and destroys the Body of Christ as we hurt each other.
All Catholics should receive the Sacrament of Penance at least once a year.
Children should receive the sacrament more often in order to better appreciate this gift of reconciliation and to teach them not to be apprehensive about this gift of reconciliation.

What is the Sacrament of Reconciliation ? Reconciliation is the sacrament of God's loving forgiveness by which we are set free from sin. This sacrament also helps us to grow in God's grace. It strengthens us to avoid sin and to lead holier lives, and reconciles us with the Church which we have wounded by our sins.
What five steps are necessary for receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation worthily ? The five steps necessary for receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation worthily are: 1. Examination of conscience; 2. Contrition; 3. Resolution; 4. Confession; 5. Acceptance of penance.
How often should we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation ? The Church commands us to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) at least once a year (recommended time: Lent and Easter season), if we have a serious sins. All mortal sins must be confessed but we may also confess venial sins and faults. In other words, all that which keeps us from drawing closer to God is subject matter for confession.
Is it beneficial to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently, even if we commited only venial sins ? It is an excellent practice to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently. Even if we have no serious sins to confess, this sacrament helps us to realize that all sin offends God. It helps us to know and correct our faults, to grow in grace and love of God and neighbor, and to strengthen our will power and self-control. It helps us to become better Catholics.
What is sin ? Sin is disobidience to God's law.
What is mortal sin ? Mortal sin is serious offense against God's law. A sin is serious or mortal when these three conditions are present:    
   1. It regards a serious wrong (serious, important matter).
   2. Before or while committing it, the person clearly is aware that it is something wrong.
   3. The person freely gives full consent to it.
   What is a venial sin ? A sin is venial when one of the conditions for a mortal sin is missing.