St Andrew By The Bay Catholic Church

 

   

Christian Formation Ministry

Baptism is celebrated at 1:30pm on the first and third Sundays of the month on the first and third Sundays of the month. and Parents and Godparents are required to participate in a preparation session. Please contact the Parish Center for arrangements at least 60 days prior to the desired date of the baptism.

Confirmation is celebrated annually during the season of Easter. Young people in grades 10 and older are welcome to enter the immediate preparation process for adolescents. The orientation session is held in the fall. Candidates must actively participate in an approved faith formation program for at least a full year prior to entering the Confirmation process.

Evangelization Committee strives to develop programs in a pastoral setting to enable the baptized to live the Gospel. The committee assists alienated Catholics in returning to the Church through the 'Welcome Home' Services at Christmas & Easter.

Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) classes are held in the Parish Center and in homes according to a schedule circulated by the Director of Religious Education and the Pastoral Minister of Youth “see Parish Education on the sidebar menu.” Adult Education is offered periodically and is advertised.

Adult Faith Formation Committee seeks to 'provide a parish climate and an array of activities and resources designed to help adults more fully understand and live their faith' (Our Hearts Were Burning) and so to: help people develop a personal relationship with Jesus, to promote and support active membership in the parish, to call and prepare adults to act as disciples to the world, to call adults to give God glory through our prayer and the lives we lead, to help people in practical ways join faith and life and to strengthen the role and mission of the family. If you are interested in being part of this ministry, call Jo Ann Valaske, (410) 647-9420.

First Eucharist is celebrated in the spring of each year. The dates for Parent meetings are published in the Parent Manual given to all Parish Religious Education Program families in September. Children must be enrolled in the PREP. We focus on family in celebrating this very important sacrament.

First Penance or the Rite of Reconciliation is celebrated each year. The dates for Parent meetings are published in the Parent Manual given to all Parish Religious Education Program families in September. Opportunities for Reconciliation for students will be built into PREP.

Vacation Bible School is held for one week during the summer for children 4 years to 9 years of age. Bible study, music, crafts, church visits and snacks are part of the program. Notices are placed in the bulletin regarding registration.

Youth Ministry Youth Ministry for grades 6 through 12 consists of learning about faith through PREP classes, practicing faith through service and worship, and building community through social activities and trips.  Check the Youth News bulletin board in the Narthex for regular updates.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a formation process for unbaptized adults seeking baptism and full initiation into the Catholic Church; for adults baptized in another Christian faith tradition, seeking full communion with the Catholic Church; and baptized Catholic adults who were never catechized in their faith. The process consists of Scripture study, prayer, ritual celebrations and an introduction to the Catholic way of life. Participants meet Tuesday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 pm beginning in September and are welcomed into the Church at the Easter Vigil.

RCIC for Children (Children's Catechumenate) Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) is a process of initiation into the Catholic Church for children aged 7 and older who have not yet been baptized or have been baptized in another Christian faith tradition.  Through the stories, traditions, behaviors, values, and ritual celebrations that define our Catholic community, and through participation in that community, the chidlren learn what it means to become the Body of Christ.  Families are included in this process, for a child's faith does not develop in a vaccuum but in the crucible of family life.  Sessions take place on Sunday morning beginning in Sept of each year.

Sponsor Couples are married couples from within the parish who are trained as sponsor couples to provide an avenue of marriage preparation for engaged couples using the format of couple to couple sharing. Adults in a stable marriage relationship from within the Church are invited to become sponsor couples. Engaged couples who wish to pursue this format for their marriage preparation should discuss this option with the clergy during their initial meeting at least six months prior to the wedding date. The Sponsor Couple coordinators for our parish are Daniel and Stacy O'Sullivan. They can be reached at (410) 384-9047.

Young Adult are those who US Bishops' pastoral plan for ministry referred to as 'Sons and Daughters of the Light' are between 18 to 35, regardless of whether they are single, married or single again, including people with children and without. St. Andrew currently does not have any on-going programs specifically designated as young adult ministry. If interested in starting a program, please contact the Parish Center.