
Sacramental Preparation for Baptized Children
O God, awho bring us to participate in the mystery of the Passion and Resurrection of your Son, grant, we pray, that, strengthened by the spirit of adoption as your children, we may always walk in newness of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sacramental Preparation Information
Below are the sacramental preparation calendars for Penance & Holy Communion and Confirmation for 2021-2022. A child should be in religious education each year and we require a child to be in formal religious education program the year before a sacramental year for first Penance & holy Communion or Confirmation.
If your child intends to present himself/herself for these sacraments, please place these important dates on your calendar now. It is expected that the child and their parent(/s) attend these sessions. If there is a serious conflict, it is your responsibility to contact Brian McCauley in advance of the session. Please communicate this information to any extracurricular programs your child may be involved in – especially the weekend Confirmation Retreat to eliminate any difficulties immediately before important spiritual events.
The Sacramental Preparations Schedule is posted each June for the coming year so families can plan accordingly.
Brian McCauley
Director of Sacramental Preparations
740.653.0997 | Email
A Note to St. Mary School Families
Since the young people who make up the student body at St. Mary School come from many different parishes, there may exist some confusion on where the sacraments of first holy Communion and Confirmation are to be celebrated. These Sacraments of Initiation are to be celebrated in the parish church where the person receiving the sacrament is a parishioner. If there is some extenuating circumstance, it is then the responsibility of the child’s family to speak with their parish pastor so he can make a decision as to how best to proceed with the child’s reception of a sacrament. The parish we belong to is our spiritual home and the community where our faith is nurtured and supported. In a parochial school setting where the student body is made up of parishioners from different parishes it is important that the host parish does not assume a role that it doesn’t have. Here at St. Mary School, we will always respect the relationship that our students have as parishioners at their own parishes.
Preparation for Confession and Holy Communion in 2021-2022
Oct. 31 | Family "Church Search" | 10-11 am | Church |
Dec. 5 | Penance Preparation Session for Parents | 10-11am | Spirit Center |
Feb. 6 | Holy Communion Preparation Session 1 for Parents | 10-11am | Spirit Center |
By Feb. 6 | Sacramental Form for Holy Communion Due to Mr. McCauley at parish office | 10-11am | Spirit Center |
Feb. 20 | Holy Communion Preparation Session 2 for Parents | 10-11 am | Spirit Center |
Mar. 31 | Penance service with 1st Confession | 7.00 pm | Church |
May 7 | First Communion Retreat: All St. Mary Parish Children | 9am-12pm | Spirit Center |
May 8 | Mass with First Holy Communion – Children will meet by 10.30 | 11.15 Mass | Church |
Preparation for Confirmation in 2021-2022
Sept. 19 | Confirmation Preparation Session I: Candidates & Parents | 10-11am | Spirit Center |
Oct. 3 | Confirmation Preparation Session II: Candidates & Parents | 10-11am | Spirit Center |
Oct. 17 | Confirmation Preparation Session III: Candidates & Parents | 10-11am | Spirit Center |
By Dec. 5 | Sacramental Form and Retreat Forms for Confirmation Due to Mr. McCauley at Rectory | Rectory | |
By Dec. 5 | Confirmation Retreat Registrations Due | Rectory | |
By Dec. 12 | Confirmation Letter to Fr. Eilerman Due to Mr. McCauley at Rectory | Online & to Rectory | |
Jan. 23 | Confirmation Preparation Session IV: Candidates & Parents | 10-11am | Spirit Center |
Mar. 25-27 | Confirmation Retreat (Fri. 4.10 pm - Sun. 1 pm) | Camp Damascus in Centerburg, Ohio | |
Apr. 3 | Confirmation Rehearsal for Candidates & Sponsors (or a parent stand-in) | after 11.15 Mass | Church |
Apr. 5 | Holy Mass with Confirmation – Candidates will meet by 6.15 pm | 7 pm | Church |