Youth Sacramental Preparation

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Religious Education Director:
Theresa Palmisano, 703-979-5580, tpalmisano@olqpva.org 

Baptism
Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation. Excited parents bring their child/children (any age) before the altar to celebrate their friendship with God and enter into an intentional life-long relationship.
Parents seeking the sacrament begin by contacting the main office (703-979-5580). Our Baptism coordinator, Cecilia Lopez, will then follow up  to answer questions, review paperwork, and schedule the child’s baptism and mandated training class. Families gather a few weeks prior to the celebration of this sacrament to review the blessings and ritual elements of the sacrament. The training, and sacrament, is offered in both the Spanish and English languages.
Contact: Cecilia Lopez Oetgen - 703-979-5580 - clopez@olqpva.org

First Communion and Reconciliation
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 the Eucharist. Children in the 2nd grade or older are invited to join us at the Lord’s table after participating in First Communion and First Reconciliation preparation. This program is part of our family-based model of religious education. Each family receives family friendly textbooks, clearly defined and detailed learning objectives, and an actual teaching guides to help prepare their child. The material includes vocabulary, prayers, home activities and even time management charts to keep on schedule. Children also attend a series of eight (8) on-campus Workshops (held Saturdays and Wednesdays), to review, reinforce, and evaluate student understanding. The First Communion program begins in October and concludes with the celebration of the sacrament in May.  Register here.

Volunteers are needed as catechists, materials preparers and with one-off events and Masses.

Confirmation
The The Confirmation program at Our Lady Queen of Peace is a one year course of study, with student registration taking place in September, and concluding with the celebration of the sacrament the following fall. The program is open to any student in grade 7, 12 years of age or older. Students meet every other week during the school year, and commit to a course of study over the summer months. Students are broken up into groups of 8-10 for the biweekly meetings to promote more discussion and relationship building. Our program is an authentic experience of discipleship, as young men and woman discern a decision to follow Jesus. Register here.

Volunteers are needed as catechists, lesson developers, materials preparers, and with one-off events.

RCIC
The RCIC program at Our Lady Queen of Peace is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children. It is a one year course of study, with student registration taking place in September, during which youth are prepared for Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation (or, just Communion and Confirmation). The program is open to any student in grade 7 or older who is looking to receive both First Communion and Confirmation, or Baptism, Communion AND Confirmation. Students meet biweekly during the school year, and commit to summer programming as well. For more information on the RCIC program, please contact Theresa Palmisano, 703-979-5580, tpalmisano@olqpva.org.