There are Seven Sacraments of the Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony.

"The Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, buy which divine life is discpensed to us.  The visible rites by which the sacramnets are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament.  They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1131).

At. St. Martin de Porres, we take a readiness-based approach to sacraments.  Students who are preparing for sacraments should be registered and active members of the parish, be enrolled in SMdP Catholic School OR Family Faith Formation. tHOSE WHO ARE REGISTERED BUT LIVE OUTSIDE OUR BOUNDARIES, MUST HAVE THE PASTOR FROM WHICH BOUNDARIES THEY RESIDE, SIGN THE FOLLOWING FORM AND RETURN THE FORM TO DEACON ANDY:

If your child desires to prepare for Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation, please send a note to Deacon Andy. 

If your child is age 7 or above and is not baptized, or baptized but has not consistently participated in faith formation, please send a note to Deacon Andy to inquire about the RCIA adapted for Children process.

First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation at SMdP is readiness-based. Students who are preparing for Reconciliation and First Communion must be enrolled in either SMdP Family Faith Formation, or SMdP Catholic School.  

Active participation is expected in both the parish and  Family Faith Formation while preparing for any Sacrament.  This includes active participation in formal catechesis for grades 1-12, Family Faith-sharing sessions, and parents attending Adult Faith Formation opportunities.  Families who bring forward their children for sacrament preparation are expected to be active, practicing Catholics, who participate in a sacramental life through regular participation in confession, weekly Mass attendance, and support of the parish through time, talent, and/or treasure, as well as consistent enrollment in Faith Formation.***
 

Families requesting sacrament preparation for their children should live within the boundaries of SMdP Parish (Fort Worth Diocese), and not within the boundaries of another parish or Diocese.   Should a family reside outside of the Fort Worth Diocese boundaries, they must prepare for all sacraments in the Diocese where they reside, out of respect for their Bishop's policies and procedures for Faith Formation and Sacrament Preparation.  Please direct any questions regarding parish boundaries to the parish office. 

As parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith, the Catholic faith is expected to be modeled and lived out in all aspects of family life.  Our faith is meant to be truly lived, not just going through the motions.  SMdP parish is here to support you in your mission as primary educators and will provide opportunities for adult catechesis for you to take part in.  Please note that while it is wonderful for grandparents and godparents to be involved in the Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation process, parental involvement is a necessity and information regarding sacrament preparation will only be provided to parents directly.  

***If your child is above the age of 7 and is not baptized, baptized in another religion outside of the Roman Catholic Church, or baptized Catholic but has not consistently participated in Faith Formation, then the RCIA Adapted for Children process will be where your family is directed towards.  

If your child is ready to have an assessment from the Director of Religious Education, please fill out the following digital form, and a member of the Faith Formation team will be in touch with you shortly: 

FIRST RECONCILIATION/FIRST COMMUNION ASSESSMENT FORM

Confirmation preparation at SMdP is readiness-based.  Students must be enrolled in general Faith Formation classes at SMdP, and Confirmation preparation takes place as part of the youth ministry process, with additional components aimed at preparing both parents and students.  Active participation is expected in Family Faith Formation while preparing for any Sacraments.  This includes active participation in formal catechesis for grades 9-12, Family Faith-sharing sessions, and parents and teens attending Monday evening Adult Faith Formation classes.  

Parents and students are expected to attend additional parent/child meetings and sessions to prepare for each sacrament, along with preparing for these sacraments at home.  However, as preparation is readiness-based, just attending classes is not a guarantee of reception.  Interviews are held to discern readiness.      

Teens are ready to prepare for these sacraments if they:

• Are baptized and able to renew baptismal promises
• Are open to receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit
• Have received their First Communion, are participating in the Sunday Mass and in the sacramental life of the Church. (Adults and adolescents who have not received First Communion will be catechized through the RCIA process with age appropriate catechesis.)
• Have consistently participated in their faith through active learning (Faith Formation) and living a life in line with Catholic values (It is expected that there are no large "gaps" in Faith Formation attendance.  If the last time a student participated in Faith Formation was at the time of their first communion, RCIA Adapted for Children may be considered.)
• Have reached 15 years of age
• Are willing to commit to active involvement in the parish Confirmation preparation process
• Are willing to continue to grow in faith following Confirmation and throughout their lifetime.

Teens requesting sacrament preparation should live within the boundaries of SMdP Parish (Fort Worth Diocese), and not within the boundaries of another parish or Diocese.  Should a family reside outside of the Fort Worth Diocese boundaries, they must prepare for all sacraments in the Diocese where they reside, out of respect for their Bishop's policies and procedures for Faith Formation and Sacrament Preparation.  Please direct any questions regarding parish boundaries to the parish office. 

As parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith, the Catholic faith is expected to be modeled and lived out in all aspects of family live.  Our faith is meant to be truly lived, not just going through the motions.  SMdP parish is here to support you in your mission as primary educators and will provide opportunities for adult catechesis for you to take part in.

Please contact  Deacon Andy Thomas with any questions regarding Confirmation preparation at athomas@saintmartindp.org.

If your child is ready to have an assessment from the Director of Religious Education, please fill out the following digital form, and a member of the Faith Formation team will be in touch with you shortly: 
Confirmation Assessment Form