Sacramental Preparation
 Listed below is information on preparing for sacraments:

Baptism Preparation

When you have a date in mind to have your child baptized, call the religious education office to have the date checked with a priest or deacon. Plan to do this about 3 weeks prior to the date you choose. After the date is set, a meeting with the D R E will be set up. The usual time for Baptism is after the 10:45 A.M. Mass on Sunday, but in extraordinary circumstances, another day and time might be able to be arranged. 

First Penance & Reconciliation

Faith Formation classes traditionally start the last Sunday of August and First Reconciliation classes will start either the last Sunday in September or the first week of October. Watch this site for exact date and location. The classes are held Sunday mornings from 8:55 A.M. to 9:15 A.M. for both parents and the child.

Students in second grade and above are encouraged to receive the sacrament of First Reconciliation provided they attended “Faith Formation” classes in a parish the previous year.  Enrollment will take place the first Sunday of Faith Formation classes in the fall.

First Eucharist (First Communion)

The sacrament of First Eucharist is celebrated on the First Sunday in May and coincides with the May Crowning.  Classes start around the first Sunday of February and continue until the end of April. Students in second grade and above are encouraged to receive the sacrament of First Eucharist provided they attended “Faith Formation” classes in a parish the previous year. 

Watch this site for exact date and location. The classes are held Sunday mornings from 8:55 A.M. to 9:15 A.M. for both parents and the child.  Enrollment will take place the first Sunday of Faith Formation classes in the fall of First Communion classes.

Confirmation Preparation

Click here to download information about Confirmation preparation. 
 

Marriage Preparation

  • The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City requires marriages to be scheduled at least four months in advance.
  • Because of other pastoral commitments, weddings cannot be scheduled on Saturday afternoons.
  • At least one of the parties to be married must be a regularly practicing Catholic of this parish, unless an inquirer can present a letter of introduction from one’s own pastor.
  • If either party have contracted previous marriage(s) and the former spouse is still alive, marriage cases must be presented to the archdiocesan tribunal.
  • If a couple wishes a marriage ceremony without Mass they may ask any parish deacon or priest to celebrate the wedding.  A priest must celebrate marriage ceremonies with Mass.
  • A couple to be married begins by approaching the clergyman of their choice and talking to the parish secretary about the availability of the church, hall, etc.  Commitments previously arranged for take precedence over requests for the use to the facilities.
  • Clergy friends, in good standing, from elsewhere are invited to concelebrate.  Once in a while, the priest or deacon will permit another priest to officiate in the case of a relative or a special bond.  In this instance several weeks are required for authorization from the Archdiocese of Oklahoma.
  • The clergyman performing the nuptials is responsible for the proper completion of all archdiocesan and parish forms.
  • St. Mary’s requires couples to be married for their first time and/or who are forty years of age or younger, at their own expense, to attend either a weekend Engagement Encounter ($105) or a Saturday Pre-Cana Conference ($40).  Both these programs are held at: Office of Family Life, The Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, 7501 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK.  Address for reservations and details: Office of Family Life, The Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, P. O. Box 32180, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, phones: 405/721-5651x108 or 800/721-5651x108 or 405/721-8944.
  • The present (2007) schedule is as follows:

Pre-Cana Conference (English)  October 20; (Spanish) November 10

Starting Over

Those interested in pursuing an annulment or dissolution from the bond of a previous marriage should see the pastor.  This process generally takes 1 1/2 - 2 years (however, time can sometimes be saved when the work submitted is complete and understandable)  Some may want to talk about "Beginning Experiences" available for those who are contemplating the possibility of another marriage but who are plagued by issues from the the previous one(s).  Your local parish/pastor will do anything possible to assist with such needs.

 
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