St. Paul's Catholic Church

Portsmouth, Virginia

Sacraments

Sacrament Preparation Guidelines

Baptism

A Baptismal Preparation Class is required for all first-time parents wishing to have their child baptized.  The classes are offered at the clustered parishes throughout the year.  For the schedule of baptismal preparation classes, registration information or to schedule a baptism, please contact Marisa Beebe at 966-5461, or e-mail her at mrcbeebe@cox.net.   

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

Based on Diocesan Policies for Sacramental Preparation guidelines, children begin their preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist when they have entered the 2nd grade." Students in both public and Catholic schools should attend this yearlong preparation in the parish Religious Formation program. Children should take part in the regular religious education program (either with the parish or in a Catholic School) for at least one year before they prepare for these sacraments.  For additional information, please contact Marisa Beebe at 966-5461, or e-mail her at mrcbeebe@cox.net.   

Confirmation

New Guidelines for Confirmation
The Diocese of Richmond is implementing a new pilot program for Confirmation this year, and the Cluster Parishes (Holy Angels, Resurrection, St. Mary’s, and St. Paul’s) will be participating. As a result, both 11th and 10th graders are eligible to be Confirmed this year. Please note that registration for Confirmation Preparation is separate from registration for Christian Formation. When you fill out your Christian Formation Registration form, if you indicate that your 10th or 11th grade student needs the Sacrament of Confirmation, a packet of information regarding the Confirmation Preparation process,
including a registration form for the program, will be mailed to you. You may also obtain the informational packet by contacting Shaylyn Baker, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, at shaylyn.baker@gmail.com or 966-5461. Students may attend one of the following Sessions for Session 1 if the session at Resurrection is missed:
Confirmation Schedule
October 24: Resurrection from 10am to 1pm
October 25: Good Shepherd from 1pm to 4pm
November 1: St. Therese from 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Confirmation Preparation takes place during the formation year in which the youth is to be Confirmed.  The Confirmation Preparation Program takes place separately from Christian Formation.  Students may be confirmed if they are currently in at least their 10th grade year of school.  Non-Confirmed Catholic school students in their 10th grade year or higher should register for Confirmation Preparation.      Following Diocesan Guidelines, students preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation should also be enrolled in the Parish Christian Formation program.  Parents and teens are expected to attend an informational meeting prior to participation in the Confirmation preparation program.  All students wishing to be Confirmed will participate in four Confirmation Preparation sessions prior to Confirmation, a day retreat, and one Mystagogy session after Confirmation.  Celebration of the Sacrament will take place at a time and date to be specified by the Diocese.  For additional information, please contact Shaylyn Baker at 966-5461, or e-mail her at shaylyn.baker@gmail.com.      

Sacrament Congratulations

Confirmation 2009
Thank you to all who helped with the Confirmation Liturgy. We are grateful to Bishop Sullivan for celebrating the Mass and to all the parishes that joined in the Regional Confirmation here at St. Paul’s Catholic Church.  The following young men and women from St. Paul’s will be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit Sunday afternoon: Benjamin Baesler, Amanda Bailey, Carl Baker, Carlin Becker, John Butler, Skylar Coleman, Nicole Frederick, Alexandra Gibbs, Megan Grow, Samuel Kush, Tanya (Tetyana) Martin, Kelsi Naab, Zachary Repko, Katharina Schwarz, Maria Villalon, Kathleen Wassell, Margaret “Maggie” Wilcox, and Jordan Wood.  Congratulations and may you be blessed with God’s love, mercy and grace!