Saint Justin Martyr

Children (OCIA) Program:

- Ages 7-17

- A process of 1-3 years depending on the students' understanding and practicing their faith.

*The RCIC is a process for children ages 7-17 who have not been baptized. The children will receive the Sacraments of Initiation, which are Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation at Easter Vigil.

During this process, the children will be able to receive a better understanding of what it means to know the love of God, the Ten Commandments, and what it means to sin. Children will learn to understand how to live their lives according to God’s commandments. In this process they will learn what it means to be a Catholic; and how to create a relationship with God and to identify as children of God. It is important for parents to participate to ensure attendance is in good standing throughout the process.

Each student will need to choose a sponsor, who is willing to commit to walk with the student on their Catholic journey.

The process not only consists of weekly classes for the student but there will be specific dates in which both the sponsor and student are required to attend.

Requirements/Expectations Children RCIC yr. 1:

- a process of 1-3 years depending on the students' understanding and practicing their faith.

-Students will be expected to attend weekly mass and given a form that must be signed and turned in weekly.

-Students must attend a 1-day retreat

-Students will be given assignments and must be turned into catechist

-Students will be given a test near the end of the year

-Attendance is crucial to be able to receive the sacrament. Students are only allowed to miss 3 total absences throughout the year. If any student is absent more than 3 times, the student may be at risk of being dropped from the program.

We strongly suggest that if your student intends to enroll in other school programs, please ensure they do not conflict with the First Communion schedule. This recommendation is solely to guarantee that each student maximizes the benefits from the limited duration they attend First Communion classes.

Parent Involvement:

-Parents are required to volunteer for 5hrs. This can be completed throughout the year by volunteering as hall monitors, teacher aid, office help, set up crew, Clean-up crew or donations that will be asked to bring for events.

**Mandatory Parent Orientation 
September 12 (Bilingual/Bilingue) In the Parish Hall @ 6:30pm

Requirements/Expectations Children RCIC yr. 2:

- a process of 1-3 years depending on the students' understanding and practicing their faith.

-Students will be expected to attend weekly mass and given a form that must be signed and turned in weekly.

-Students will be given assignments and must be turned into catechist

-Students will be given a test near the end of the year

-Students must attend required dates to rite ceremonies that will be given with plenty of time to save those dates as part of their requirements.

-Attendance is crucial to be able to receive the sacrament. Students are only allowed to miss 3 total absences throughout the year (only acceptable absences if there is a family emergency, illness with Drs. Note, or unexpected death in the family). If any student is absent more than 3 times, the student may be at risk of being dropped from the program.

We strongly suggest that if your student intends to enroll in other school programs, please ensure they do not conflict with the First Communion schedule. This recommendation is solely to guarantee that each student maximizes the benefits from the limited duration they attend First Communion classes.

Students are required to look for a Sponsor who must abide by the following requirements:

-Must be at least 16yrs old

-Must be a registered member of a Catholic Parish

-Must provide copy of Baptism/First Communion/Confirmation certificates

-If married, be sacramentally married in the Catholic Church

-Chastity: If civilly divorced but not remarried, live chastely.

-Attends mass and receiving Communion weekly

-Celebrates the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year

-Sponsors will need to attend a 1-day retreat

-Sponsors will need to attend an in-person interview with their candidate

-Preferably someone who lives in the same state to avoid any inconvenience.

*The full purpose of a sponsor is for them to be an example and a guide in the student’s faith journey. The sponsor is there to answer questions of faith and can be there to listen to the student along with the help of the parents.

Parent Involvement:

-Parents are required to complete 5hrs of parent volunteer. This can be completed throughout the year by volunteering as hall monitors, teacher aid, office help, set up crew, Clean-up crew or donations.

For more information, please contact us at 714-535-6111 or email us at [email protected]