Children 7 years of age and older
Notre Dame welcomes children of catechetical age, along with their families, on a journey of preparation for initiation into the Catholic community.  The Church prepares older children and adults for all three sacraments of initiation:  Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.  Those children who have never been baptized will participate in the RCIA process adapted for children.. 

"Since children who have reached the use of reason are considered, for purposes of Christian initiation, to be adults (canon 852:1), their formation should follow the general pattern of the ordinary catechumenate as far as possible, with the appropriate adaptations permitted by the ritual.  They should receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, together with older catechumens." Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Formation Journey
Before your child receives any sacrament; he/she must be prepared through regular attendance in a religious education program. At Notre Dame your child is to receive three years of formation before he/she can receive the Sacraments of Initiation. Your child will be required to take an entrance interview at the beginning of his/her first and second year of formation, an exit interview midyear of the third year of formation to evaluate if your child is prepared to receive the sacraments of initiation. Parents are to be actively involved in the preparation process.

Faith Formation
1.  Register for your child's grade-level Faith Formation on Mondays (English) / Sunday (Spanish)

2.  Attend for at least two full academic year (first grade or higher).

3. Entrance interview at the beginning of his/her first and second year of formation.

4.  After two full year of Faith Formation, children will have an exit interview to evaluate if your child is ready for the Sacrament program the following year.

Faith Formation with Sacrament Preparation
1.  Register for your child's grade-level Faith Formation with Sacramental Preparation on Sunday Mornings. Attend these classes throughout the academic year.

2.  Turn in a copy of your child's birth certificate to the Religious Education Office.

3.  Required Parent Classes every Sunday. One or both parents must attend in preparation for a child’s reception of the Sacraments.

4.  Participate in all scheduled practices/meetings/retreats.

5.  Schedule your child’s exit interview when requested.