Sacramental Preparation Program

Parents/guardians attend an orientation meeting in September, with a member of our clergy,  to receive information on the preparation program, session schedules, guidance as to how we as a church can assist you through this year and receive their child's book.  This meeting will help parents deepen their understanding of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and prepare them for their role in the home-based component of the Sacramental Preparation program. 

Children preparing to receive the sacraments will attend a total of eight catechist-led sessions to prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.  There are four sessions for each sacrament, one evening session per month from September - April.  The catechist-led sessions for the children are designed to reinforce and supplement what the children are learning at home with their first catechists, their parents. The children learn to encounter Jesus the Good Shepherd,  in a very personal way, through learning the Word of God in a classroom setting and in the Atrium - a special environment used in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  Two groups are offered on at least three different evenings of the week, to help accommodate busy family schedules and our current Covid restrictions. While the children are participating in their sessions, the parents/guardians meet together (with Covid restrictions in place) to learn and discuss topics relevant to the Sacramental Preparation process and form a supportive community.

• Children age 7-17, has been Baptized (must be age seven by September 30, 2020) 
• Baptized children 7-8 years of age are in age-appropriate sessions.
• Baptized children between 9 and 17 years of age are in age-appropriate sessions, on a specific evening of the Sacramental Preparation week. Their evening sessions are chosen based on the catechists' availability.
• Enrolled ON-LINE in either: our current Children's Faith Formation program OR enrolled in an approved homeschool/family faith formation program OR attend a local Catholic school that provides weekly Catholic faith formation. There is no cost for the CFF program for the 2020-2021 school year, only for the cost of the supplies used for Sacramental Preparation ($45.00 for the year)
• Copy of children's Baptismal Certificate:
  • If your child was not baptized at Saint Bede parish, you need to obtain a new baptismal certificate with the church seal from your child's church of baptism, or from the Military Archdiocese ("keepsake" certificates will not meet our requirements). Submit Baptismal certificates with the enrollment form and fee.
• Enrolled ON-LINE in our Sacramental Preparation Program. You enroll for this at the same time you enroll for the CFF program.
• Enrollment fees paid for ONLY Sacramental Preparation, for the 2020-2021 school year. Invoices will be sent to only Sacramental Preparation families  once they are registered. Cash and check payments can be made directly to the Parish Office. Electronic payments need to be made through our website link. (Cash, or check to: "Saint Bede Catholic Church"  note: Sacramental Preparation). If you have a concern about this, please reach out to me in the church office, 757-229-3631, ext. 2303 or at rhipple@bedeva.org

If your child is at least seven years of age but has NOT received the Sacrament of Baptism, contact Michelle Tomshack at (757) 229-3631 ext. 2309 or mtomshack@bedeva.org for more information.