Sacramental Preparation

Sacramental Preparation
(Baptism, First Reconciliation & Communion, Confirmation)

Baptism

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." (CCC 1213)

From birth to 6th grade
If your child is within this range, please contact Cecilia Lopez at clopez@olqpva.org for baptismal prep.
If your child is between 2nd and 6th grade, also register to the First Reconciliation and Communion program. Please see below for more info.

For those in 7th grade and above
Candidates in 7th grade and above will be prepared through the Confirmation program. They will receive formation on all three sacraments, Baptism, Confirmation and Communion at the end of the process. Please see below for more info.

First Reconciliation and Communion

Open to children in 2nd grade, our First Communion program has been developed to facilitate and support our parents as "first and best teachers of the faith", enabling them to prepare their children at home for the sacrament of First Holy Communion. This program is part of our family-based model of faith formation.

Formation:
At Home Prep
Each family receives family friendly textbooks, clearly defined and detailed learning objectives and teaching guides to help prepare their
child at home. The material includes vocabulary, prayers , at home and online activities. Textbook and resources for First Reconciliation. Textbook and resources for First Communion . Parents will be able to pick up textbooks and materials at OLQP at the start of each program.

Online Sessions
Children will review what they learn at home with a dedicated catechist through short interactive Zoom sessions. Meeting times will be defined by the catechist and parents. More details at info sessions and parent meeting below.

First Reconciliation
First Reconciliation prep begins in October and the sacrament is celebrated in December. There is second first reconciliation service
offered prior to receiving First Communion. Materials are distributed in September following the parent meeting below.

First Communion
First Communion prep begins in January and the sacrament is celebrated in May/June. Materials are distributed in early December following the meeting below.

Fee
There is a $50 fee for the program. This covers the textbooks and other materials. To pay the fee, please follow instructions during registration. If there is need, we offer scholarships. To request a scholarship, simply write to Alex Hernadez at ahernandez@olqpva.org.

Info Sessions & Meetings
Info sessions for all programming will be offered on August 12 and September 9 through Zoom at 6:00pm. To join a session, click HERE on those dates.

There will be a parent meeting for First Reconciliation and Communion on September 16 at 6:00pm. To join the session, click HERE on that date.

Documentation
Due at registration: For the baptized, please submit a copy of the baptismal certificate. For the unbaptized, please submit a copy of the birth certificate. You may scan and send by email to ahernandez@olqpva.org or send a paper copy to Director of Faith Formation: 2700 South 19th Street, Arlington, Virginia, 22204. If the child was baptized at OLQP, please indicate so in the registration form.

To register
Follow this link: Registration. Please note that only one form needs to be completed for all family members participating in the various formation programs. Registration deadline: September 25th, 2020.

Confirmation

The Confirmation program is a one year program beginning in October 2020 and concluding with the celebration of the sacrament in the Fall of 2021. The program is open to any students in grade 7 and above.

Formation
Formation will take place through weekly 40 minute interactive Zoom sessions starting in October and ending in late May/early June. A calendar will be provided at the beginning of the year. Meeting times will be defined by the catechists and parents.

We will use two main resources: Called to be Catholics & Confirmed in the Spirit. The first textbook helps the students review the basic tenants of the faith; the second textbook teaches the essential elements of confirmation.

Retreat and Service Project
If circumstances permit, we will have a weekend retreat in the spring of 2021. Candidates also commit to completing a service project over the summer in 2021.

Cost
There is a $75 fee for the program. This covers the textbooks and other materials. To pay the fee, please follow instructions during registration. If there is need, we offer scholarships. To request a scholarship, simple write to Alex Hernadez at ahernandez@olqpva.org.

Info Sessions & Meetings
Info sessions for all programming will be offered on August 12 and September 9 through Zoom at 6:00pm. To join a session, click HERE on those dates
.
There will be a parent meeting for Confirmation on September 17 at 6:00pm . To join the session, click HERE on that date.

Documentation
Due at Registration: For the baptized, please submit a copy of the baptismal certificate. For the unbaptized, please submit a copy of the birth certificate. You may scan and send by email to ahernandez@olqpva.org or send a paper copy to Director of Faith Formation: 2700 South 19th Street Arlington, Virginia, 22204. If the child was baptized at OLQP, please indicate so in the registration form.

Due in January 2021

To register
Follow this link: Registration. Please note that only one form needs to be completed for all family members participating in the various formation programs. Registration deadline: September 25th, 2020.