Sacramental Preparation

Sacramental Preparation

All students within our Sacramental Preparation program must attend our Parish School of Religion Program during the Fall semester or a Catholic School during preparation years at minimum. Although our program offers various opportunities for our youth to become well formed and knowledgable, it is VITAL for parents to become involved in their child's formation, as they are the first catechesis. If it is not important and a priority for parents, it will not be important or a priority to their child. So, thank YOU for your yes in forming your child to become a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ!

2nd Grade

Throughout the school year, all 2nd grade students are formed and prepare to recieve the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Parish School of Religion students are formed through their PSR classes every Monday (fall semester), the Word of Life series by Augustine Institute, various onsite experiences and a First Communion retreat. Students who attend Catholic schools within our diocese are formed in their religion classes daily, parish formation opportunities and a First Communion Retreat.

SACRAMENT OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION will be held on April 14, 2024.
 

9th, 10th and 11th Grade

Along with formation through studies, our 9th, 10th and 11th grade students are required to participate in various activities, retreats and/or service opportunities to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Heads up: one of the requirements of all 9th-11th students are to attend MP3 events. Please see below.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION will be held April 10, 2024 at 7:00PM.

All registrants MUST include a copy of their baptismal certificate for student files. All payments are due to the church office by August 20, 2023. Contact Molly Cline if financial assistance is needed. | mcline@stmarysfr.org

MP3 Events
Two out of four of the following MP3 Events are a mandatory requirement of all 9th-11th Sacramental Prep students at St. Mary of False River. The event takes place in Baton Rouge. Bus transportation will be provided. Click here to be directed to our Youth Page.

• August 13, 2023
• November 4, 2023
• February 3, 2024
• May 3, 2024

Sacramental Preparation Fees: (Non-PSR Students ONLY)
2nd Grade Sacramental Prep: $35.00
9th Grade PSR + Sacramental Prep: $60.00
10th Grade PSR + Sacramental Prep: $60.00
11th Grade PSR + Sacramental Prep: $60.00
 

Parent Formation Nights

In order to best support our parents, as the first catechist of their children, Parent Formation events have been added to the Fall 2023 calendar. Our hope is to provide parents opportunities to be poured into and formed alongside their child. So, they can continue to build the domestic church within their own homes. 
Majority of our parent formation events will be held on Monday evenings at 6:00pm throughout the Fall 2023 semester. This year, all parents are required to attend our October 9th and November 13th events at 6:00pm. More information to come. 

Parent Formation Nights | MANDATORY for ALL Parents (2nd, 9th-11th)

***A Parent Formation Events Calendar coming soon.***

• Mandatory Formation Night 1
  • Speaker: Emily Froeba
  • When: October 9th
  • Where: SMFR Parish Hall or Church (TBD)
  • Time: Talk begins at 6:00pm 

• Mandatory Formation Night 2
  • Speaker: Hunter Hardin
  • When: November 13th
  • Where: SMFR Parish Hall or Church (TBD)
  • Time: Talk begins at 6:00pm 

Frequently Asked Questions:
If my child attends PSR, do I need to register them using the Sacramental Preparation link too?
Answer: No, if your child is in 2nd, 9th, 10th, or 11th grade and are registered for Parish School of Religion, they will automatically be registered into our Sacramental Preparation Program. Click here to register your child for Parish School of Religion 2023-2024.

If my child attends a Catholic School, do I need to register them using the Sacramental Preparation link?
Answer: YES! If your child attends a Catholic school in 2nd, 9th, 10th, or 11th grade, they are required to register for Sacramental Preparation in their Church Parish. They are NOT automatically registered for sacramental preparation.
Catholic schools provide faith formation and sacramental preparation. However, you and your child's Church Parish are responsible for the sacramental formation and preparation of your child. If your child attends a Catholic School, click here to register them for Sacramental Preparation 2023-2024.

Who should join the Sacramental Preparation GroupMe?
Answer: All students in 9th, 10th and 11th grade should join the correct GroupMe group message to recieve updates. Likewise, all parents of 2nd, 9th, 10th and 11th grade students should join the correct GroupMe group message to recieve updates.

If you are having trouble joining a GroupMe account, be sure you have created an account using groupme.com or by downloading the app. If you are still having trouble, contact Molly Cline via email. | mcline@stmarysfr.org

If my child was baptized at St. Mary of False River, do I need to provide a Baptism Certificate?
Answer: YES! If your child was baptized at SMFR, a copy of their baptismal certificate is needed for active files. Every Church Parish keeps record of every sacrament recieved at their parish in books called Sacramentals. They do not keep copies of certifcates.
Good news, if you need a copy of a baptismal certificate, call your parish office and they will direct you as needed. The new copy will record any sacraments that individual has recieved thus far. Heads up! They will need the full name of the individual and the date or year they were baptized. 

Will my child be able to recieve their Sacraments at St. Mary of False River, if they live outside of the Parish boundaries? 
Answer: YES! If your child desires to recieve their sacraments at SMFR, follow the steps below. Note: If your child attends a Catholic School in our area and lives outside the boundaries of SMFR, they are required to follow these steps.
1.) Contact your current Church Parish-this is determined by the parish boundary in which you live. Click here to access the Diocesan Parish Boundaries .
2.) Tell the receptionist you need a "Letter of Permission" from the pastor seeking permission for your child to recieve their sacraments at SMFR.
3.) After the letter is signed by your pastor, the letter must be recieved at SMFR. A copy will be sufficient until the original is hand delievered or mailed to SMFR (402 W Main Street, New Roads, LA 70760).
4.) The reception of the letter must be confirmed by SMFR.