*This site is for the exclusive use of pastors, ministry leaders, and parish staff. Do not share access to this page with parishioners.

Click on the subjects below to jump to the section of the page.

• Baptism
• RCIA
• First Reconciliation
• ​First Communion
• ​Confirmation
• ​Marriage Preparation

Contacts

Program Support:

• Huy Nguyen | 403-218-5547 - Email

Administrative Support: 

• Sr. Mariflor Jacob |​ 403-218-5521 - Email​

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Under the current conditions, if your parish does not have in-person Baptism Preparation ministry, the following two programs are recommended to prepare parents for their children or baby baptism.

1. Belonging | Ascension Press

The Belonging online baptism preparation program allows your parishioners to sign up and take the course online, and share with you a copy of the certificate of completion issued by Ascension Press.  Parishioners can enrol in the online Baptism Prep Certification Course themselves using their credit card. The cost is US$ 9.95.

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2. Reborn | Formed.org

If your parish already has a subscription with FORMED.ORG, you may take advantage of this 6-episode program for your baptism preparation. 

 

Becoming Catholic

• Link to Diocesan page on Becoming Catholic that can be attached to parish’s website

Diocesan Guidelines

• Rite of Election
• RCIA: A Faith Process (2015)
• Reception of Baptized Christians into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church (2011)
• Common Canonical Questions for RCIA Ministers

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Resources

• The Order of the Sacraments of Initiation
• On Good Soil: Pastoral Planning for Evangelization and Catechesis with Adults
• Directory for Catechesis | Recorded Webinar Series | Resource Kit
• Criteria for Catechesis
• Best Practices and Resources for Evangelization & Catechesis with Adults
• Full Participation in the Liturgy Needs Mystagogical Reflection
• Liturgy & Sacraments
• Reflection Material for Catechists
• Evangelization Resource List

Other Resources

• RCIA Ministry Workshops
• Websites and Articles

 

The parish-based Sacraments Preparation Program supports families, catechists, Catholic schools and whole parish communities in preparing young disciples to appreciate the depth of God’s love and to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In this formation, children will explore several important aspects of responsibility, relationships, freedom, conscience, sin, forgiveness, and the truth, goodness and beauty which God wants to share with us.

Program Material

• This link has the most up-to-date versions of First Reconciliation materials including:
  • Schedule template
  • Content chart, agenda, preparation, teaching material and power points presentation for all catechetical sessions
  • Parents Sessions Booklet (revised April 30, 2020)
  • Videos
  • Retreats
• How to Celebrate Reconciliation Card for Children              
• Pastor’s Letters to Parents and Schools Templates
• Forms (All forms required for proper record keeping of attendees, parents, children, catechists and clergy at each catechetical event/session; requests for attendance at alternative sessions and so on. There are permanent records which should be kept at the parish. The sacrament coordinator should work with the volunteer screening coordinator for the parish to make sure each volunteer has been properly screened and the appropriate paperwork is in place)
• Volunteer Screening
• Information on Growing In Faith Growing in Christ Resource

Resources

• Catechist Workshops (Diocese of Calgary)
• Criteria for Catechesis (CCCB)
• Directory for Catechesis (CCCB)
• Recorded Parents Coaching Sessions to support home-based Sacraments Preparation during the pandemic (2020-2021).

Download Confession Guide card

 

Preparing children to participate fully in the Holy Eucharist is a privilege and a very important apostolic ministry. This parish-based Sacraments Preparation program is intended as a support for families, catechists, Catholic schools, and whole parish communities as they collaboratively lead our children to a richer understanding of sacramentality and the place of Eucharist as the very “source and summit of Christian life” (Lumen Gentium, no. 11; cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1324).

Program Material

• This link has the most up-to-date versions of First Eucharist materials including:
  • Schedule template
  • Content chart, agenda, preparation, teaching material and power points presentation for all catechetical sessions
  • Parents Sessions Booklet (revised April 30, 2020)
  • My Sunday Missal
  • Videos
  • Retreats
• Pastor’s Letters to Parents and Schools Templates
• Forms
  All forms required for proper record keeping of attendees, parents, children, catechists and clergy at each catechetical event/session; requests for attendance at alternative sessions and so on. There are permanent records which should be kept at the parish. The sacrament coordinator should work with the volunteer screening coordinator for the parish to make sure each volunteer has been properly screened and the appropriate paperwork is in place.
• Volunteer Screening
• Information on Growing In Faith Growing in Christ Resource

Resources:

• Catechist Workshops (Diocese of Calgary)
• Criteria for Catechesis (CCCB)
• Directory for Catechesis (CCCB)
• Recorded Parents Coaching Sessions to support home-based Sacraments Preparation during the pandemic (2020-2021).

 

Preparing for Confirmation is a formative journey of learning and practicing to be a disciple of Christ. Following such a path necessitates the accompaniment and witnesses of the whole community of faith to support candidates and parents in cultivating fruitful way of life in the Spirit.

The Diocese recommends 2 options for Confirmation preparation.​

Option 1

​Parishes may choose to adapt all or parts of the parish-based Confirmation program which is accessible here.

• Overview of the process
• Parents/Candidates Information Session
• Catechetical Sessions
• Retreat 

Suggested schedule and timeline

• September | Registration – Parents/Candidates Information Session
• December | Parents-only mini retreat in Advent
• January | Parents/Candidates Catechetical Session 1
• February | Parents/Candidates Catechetical Session 2
• March | Parents/Candidates Catechetical Session 3
• April | Parents/Candidates Catechetical Session 4
• Easter Season | Confirmation Retreat / Celebration
• June | Mystagogy​

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Option 2

Parishes may use “CHOSEN: Your Journey Toward Confirmation” Online Course from Ascension Press as the main catechetical resource. 
​
Link to resources.

• Instruction to register for the online course
• Weekly Lessons Outline (completion of 11 select online lessons over the course of 11 weeks)
• Parents/Candidates Meetings
• Retreat

Suggested schedule and timeline

• January | Registration & Parents/Candidates Orientation
• February | Online Weekly Lessons 1-4 | Parents/Candidates Meeting 1
• March | Online Weekly Lessons 4-8 | Parents/Candidates Meeting 2
• April | Online Weekly Lessons 9-11
• Easter Season | Confirmation Retreat & Celebration
• June | Mystagogy 

 

Below are the two programs endorsed by the Diocese for marriage preparation:

1. Diocesan Marriage Preparation Courses

​The Church invites couples preparing for marriage to view their upcoming wedding ceremony not as an end in itself, but “instead embark upon marriage as a lifelong calling based on a firm and realistic decision to face all trials and difficult moments together.” (Amoris Laetitia, 211)

• Visit catholicyyc.ca/marriageprep for upcoming courses

2. For Better & For Ever

When couples prefer to work with a mentor couple, we still have the option of either an in-person mentoring or a virtual format mentoring via Zoom using the For Better & For Ever program.  

• To register, couples need to contact Sr. Mariflor 403-218-5521 or email​​