“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Matthew 28:18-20

We joyfully celebrate the birth of a child and the call to be reborn in baptism. Jesus himself commanded his apostles, as he ascended into heaven, to baptize all peoples, and to teach them all that he had taught. Therefore, every person is called to be baptized! However, in choosing to have your child baptized you are also choosing the responsibility to teach them all that Jesus has taught us, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:20

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: ‘Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word CCC #1213.

"Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."

Acts 8:14-17

The sacrament of Confirmation configures the confirmed more deeply to Christ by sealing them in the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is the gift of God's own life freely given in and through the Holy Spirit that, along with baptism and the Eucharist, initiates the confirmed into the Body of Christ, the Church.. .Confirmation completes, strengthens, and perfects the grace received in baptism.

The sacrament of Confirmation is offered in the Sioux Falls Diocese to Catholics who have received Baptism, First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion - normally in the 10th grade year.

CONFIRMATION FOR THOSE OLDER THAN 10TH GRADE

Preparation for the sacrament of the Confirmation is offered to adults and older teens through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program (RCIA). See below for more information under the "Want to become a Catholic" tab.

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, accoridng to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1324)..The Eucharist is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and "is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1325)

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION FOR 2ND GRADERS

Traditional First Eucharist preparation is in the 2nd grade after having receieved their first reconciliation. Before receiving there First Eucharist second graders should be formed for a period of time in order to prepare for their reception of the sacrament. This is done by the parents at home with resources provided by the parish.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION FOR THOSE OLDER THAN 2ND GRADE

Preparation for the sacrament of the Eucharist is offered to adults, teens and older children through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program (RCIA). See below for more information under the "Want to become a Catholic" tab.