Holy Spirit Catholic community 

We are pleased to welcome your child into our Church! Through the sacrament of Baptism your child will be reborn as a son or daughter of God while entering new life as a member of the Church.

1. Baptism Class: Parents and Godparents are required to attend Baptism preparation classes. The classes can be done in English or Spanish.
   English: Classes are the last Sunday of the month (one session only), at St. Cyril & Methodius Parish Center (624 Bridger Ave.) at 7:00 pm.
   Spanish: Classes in Spanish are only offered one time and are on the last Friday of the month at the SCM PC. Please call the parish office to register.
   Note: Godparents from out of town must attend classes at their own parish and provide a proof. Baptismal preparation classes are valid for 3 years if they are taken within the Holy Spirit Catholic Community.
2. Godparents’ requirements: Those designated to be Godparents must have the capability and intention of carrying out the responsibility of a Godparent and be free from any canonical impediments. Godparents must be at least sixteen years of age. At least one godparent must be Catholic and have received the sacraments of initiations: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. If married, the marriage needs to be a recognized Sacramental union (married in the church); if unmarried, not living with a partner. At the request of the parents, a believing Christian not belonging to the Catholic Church may act as a Christian witness along with a Catholic Godparents for baptism but must have at least one Catholic Godparent. At most there can be two Godparents but it doesn’t have to have two. It can be on Godfather, one Godmother, or one of each. If choosing two Godparents one must be male and the other female. If there are two from the same gender, one will be a Christian Witness. There can be unlimited Christian Witnesses.
3. Baptismal Information Form: Visit the Parish Office to fill out the form.
4. Suggested Offering: In thanksgiving to God, for the baptismal sacrament an offering of $150 is suggested, if you do not have the resources to make this offering or part of it, contact the parish office.

The date for Baptism is not finalized until all requirements are met; however, we do like to have them on the parish’s calendar for liturgical preparation. Once all the requirements are completed the date will be confirmed. On the date of the child’s Baptism, please plan to be at the Church 10-15 minutes early so the priest can give instruction on how the Rite of Baptism will take place for the child.

Click here to read the Baptism ProcedureClick here to read our guide to choosing Godparents

Requirements

• Preparations for First Holy Communion are offered to children entering their 2nd grade year of school and older. 
• Classes will meet on Sundays at OLS Parish Center.  
• Children will prepare and receive the sacrament of Reconciliation prior to First Communion.
• First Reconciliation will take place in Lent and First Holy Communion after Easter.
• Participation in the class is a requirement to receive sacraments. Attendance at Mass is also required.
• Parents will need to attend meetings.

   Requirements

• This Sacrament is typically received in the 7th grade after participating in a Confirmation Preparation program starting in the 6th grade.
• Confirmation program is on Sundays.
• Students should be registered and participating in the Confirmation. Students will be required to attend Sunday Mass as well.
• Students must attend a Retreat and complete 20 hours of service per year in the church and community.
• Parents will need to attend the first meeting.
• Paperwork and requirements:
  1. Copy of Baptismal Certificate
  2. Sponsor Good Standing Affirmation Form
  3. Saint Paper
  4. Service Hours Sheet
  5. Letter to the Bishop
  6. Attend Confirmation Retreat
  7. Meet with Confirmation Coordinators/Catechists in the Fall to discuss Confirmation and ensure each student knows the information
  8. Receive Reconciliation during the month that precedes.
  9. Attend Sunday Mass regularly

The sacrament of Reconciliation, sometimes called Confession or Penance, is a beautiful opportunity to know the merciful love of God the Father. The Sacrament of Reconciliation grants us the forgiveness and healing we need. The schedule for Reconciliation is every Thursday (except for the 1st Thursday each month) from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Our Lady of Sorrows located at the corner of Broadway and A street and then every Saturday from 5:30 to 6:30 PM located at Our Lady of Sorrows as well. If this time does not work well for you, please contact the parish office and arrange an appointment with one of our priests.

Congratulations on your engagement! Marriage is a lifelong union between a man and a woman that
reflects God’s love for the church. We pray that your marriage may bring you a lifetime of happiness.

The personal preparation for marriage consists of the following:
1. The couple must contact the parish office and schedule an appointment to meet with the priest
at least six-months in advance of the anticipated liturgical celebration of their marriage.
2. A priest, deacon or pastoral minister of the parish will assist the couple in the completion and
collection of all the necessary documents for marriage in the Church.
3. The couple will come into the parish office and complete a Church Use Contract as well as pay a
cleaning deposit. In gratitude to God for the Sacrament of Marriage there is a suggested offering
of $300.
4. The priest will meet with the couple and all the necessary information will be added to a file.
5. The couple will take the FOCCUS inventory.
6. A pre-marriage inventory is to be administered and thoroughly reviewed with the couple.
Normally, this will be the FOCCUS; but for those who have been married outside the Church and
are seeking to marry in the Church and have been married at least three years, the REFOCCUS
may be used.
7. The couple is to participate in a Natural Family Planning Class, which may be done through an
accredited online program.
8. A couple, who have been married previously, before they can schedule a new celebration of
marriage, must have their prior marriages resolved either through the death of their spouse, a
Catholic Church annulment. Please contact the parish office at 307-362-2611.
9. Once the marriage and rehearsal date are arranged the dates will be added to the scheduler.