Religious Formation Ministry

To participate in any sacrament preparation program, a child must be enrolled in and participate in the appropriate age level Religious Formation program. Home schooling materials will be provided if requested by parent/guardian.

Baptism for children of the age of reason (age 7 and older) is celebrated through the Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA) Adapted for Children. Please call Ken Blakeman at 480–837–1066 to discuss the process. For infant or young children’s baptism, please call the parish office at 480–837–1066 to enroll in Baptism preparation sessions.

First Reconciliation preparation is done in 2nd grade. The celebration of this sacrament will take place at the Parish Community Reconciliation Service, February 23, 2010.

Confirmation and First Eucharist are now celebrated in 3rd grade at the same ceremony. Our bishop has established “Restored Order” for the Sacraments of Initiation. This celebration will take place on Sunday, April 25th, at the 5:00pm mass.

We offer a special welcome to older children who have not yet received the Sacraments. Our Confirmation preparation program is also designed to prepare older children who have received the Sacrament of First Eucharist but not Confirmation. Just indicate on the form where marked “Confirmation Only”. For older children who haven’t celebrated Reconciliation and/or First Eucharist, we will be very happy to work together with your family to have a meaningful preparation and celebration. Please call Ken Blakeman to discuss your specific needs.

Before receiving any Sacrament, a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate must be on file. If baptism was celebrated at the Church of the Ascension, please note it on the Enrollment form and we will not need a copy of the Baptismal Certificate. If baptism was celebrated elsewhere, you can bring the original into the office when you return the enrollment materials and we will make a copy for you and return the original while you wait.

Thanks for your cooperation! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call, fax or email the Religious Formation office.