The prophets of the Old Testament foretold that God's Spirit would rest upon the Messiah to sustain his mission. Their prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus the Messiah was conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus on the occasion of his baptism by John. Jesus' entire mission occurred in communion with the Spirit. Before he died, Jesus promised that the Spirit would be given to the Apostles and to the entire Church. After his death, he was raised by the Father in the power of the Spirit.
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. . . . We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service.
First Holy Communion is one of the 7 Sacraments of the Catholic church. While receiving the Eucharist is a Sacrament each time it is received in our lifetime, Catholics celebrate the first time this is done as a part of a special ceremony and a memorable, important part of our lives!
“First Holy Communion. Having become a child of God clothed with the garment, the neophyte is admitted ‘to the marriage supper of the Lamb’ and receives the food of the new life, the body and blood of Christ. The Easter Churches maintain a lively awareness of the unity of Christian initiation by giving Holy Communion to all the newly baptized and confirmed, even little children, recalling the Lord’s words: ‘Let the children come to me, do not hinder them.’ The Latin Church, which reserves admission to Holy Communion to those who have attained the age of reason, expresses the orientation of Baptism to the Eucharist by having the newly baptized child brought to the altar for the praying of the Our Father.” CCC 1244
Confirmation Prayer Partner Program
Thank you for agreeing to walk with our Confirmation students as they continue along their Faith journey. Your prayer and support are a very important part along their path to their adult faith and growing closer in their relationship with Christ. It is my prayer that this will be an enriching experience for you as well. Foremost we are asking that you will make a commitment to consistently pray for your student during this preparation time. We will also ask that you periodically send a letter, small treat, or other encouragement during this time. These can be dropped off at the Religious Education office at Visitation. There will be a box by the office for this purpose. Remember that you will remain anonymous to the student throughout the period of Confirmation preparation until we have our party at the end of the Religious Education year. Below I am including upcoming dates for this program. Again, thank you for your investment and involvement in the youth of our Parishes!
March 10th - Confirmation Retreat - A notebook for journaling and reflection. During March the student and their parent/sponsor will focus on The Church, Confirmation, Mission, and Mission Support. I am providing a notebook for each student. I would like for you to write on the inside cover or on the first page, a prayer that is meaningful to you. This can be a traditional prayer from the Church or one of your own that you would like to share. Remember it is not quite time for them to know who you are yet! This letter and the notebook/journal will be delivered during the Confirmation Retreat. As our students are completing their Confirmation preparation please continue to pray for them!
April 3 - First letter and small treat for students. This should be a letter that somewhat introduces you to your student (while still maintaining anonymity!). You may want to include what you remember about your own Confirmation experience. You will also let your student know that you are walking with them on this faith journey and will be praying for them as they prepare for Confirmation. I would also ask that you include a small treat (eg, a candy bar, cookie, small sweet treat). These letters and treats will be delivered during our normal class time 6:30 - 8:00 on this date. Remember to keep praying for your student as well!
April 24th - Second letter and small Religious item to encourage the student. During this month the students will be focusing on Growth, Virtues, and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. In this letter you may wish to include the Saint you chose when you were Confirmed and why you chose them as well as how the Gifts of the Holy Spirit have impacted your life and helped you. Remember to keep your identity a secret! You will also be asked to include a prayer card or small religious item to help and encourage them. This could be a finger Rosary, a prayer card, or a Holy medal for example. Again, the letter and Religious item will be delivered during our normal class time 6:30 - 8:00 on this date. Keep praying!May 15th - 6:30 - 7:00 - The big reveal! We invite you to attend our classes tonight to meet your student! We will also have a small cookie and punch party! If you wish to, you may have a small token for your student. This can be a small religious item, a religious book that is meaningful to you, a prayer book, etc.
RE/YM 2nd. Semester Important WED. Night Dates
Additional Important Dates
St. Anne Sodality Scholarship
January 22, 2024
ST. Anne Sodality of Visitation of the BVM, will be awarding a scholarship to any registered member of the C-1 Family Catholic Community in a continuing education program, or enrolled at a college/university. A new high school graduate or anyone of any age who is furthering their education is welcome to apply. Applications guidelines will be available at the church entrances and must be submitted by March 1, 2024.
We are so happy to welcome everyone back to Religious Education. The above link will take you to our registration packet. This year both CCD and YM will be using the same registration forms. Please complete and submit the forms by September 8th, and be sure to read the important policy information included! Also be sure to use our convenient online payment option below. If you need to pay by check please make payable to Visitation Church and write "Religious Education Registration" in the memo). you can either mail them to: Religious Education Registration, 407 E Main St, Eaton, OH 45320, or place them in an envelope marked "Religious Education Registration" and drop it in the collection basket at Mass. The Archdiocese Permission form will need to be downloaded, completed, and emailed back to the Religious Education office at [email protected] . It is not necessary to electronically sign as a copy of your registration forms will be made available for you to sign at Materials Pick-Up on September 9th. For questions or help with the online registration and payment process, please email Renee at [email protected] .
Student's readiness for the sacraments will be assessed on an individual basis by the 2nd grade teacher(s), the ARE, and the Pastor.
Student's readiness for the sacraments will be assessed on an individual basis by the 8th grade teacher(s), the ARE, and the Pastor.