• be registered and practicing members of their Parish
• worship with the community on a regular basis
• exercise responsible stewardship of their time, talent and treasure in witness to Jesus Christ and service to our community. 

First Eucharist is celebrated following a child's 1st Reconciliation.  (Grade 2) 

Because parents are the primary faith formers of their children, the immediate preparation for this sacrament is done in the family.  Children not attending a Catholic School will need to complete grades 1 and 2 of Catechism and the 1st Eucharist Workbook before receiving their 1st Eucharist. 

First Eucharist in Bashaw, Stettler and Castor will be celebrated as a class on a specific Sunday, during Mass. 

All Candidates will receive supplemental material at a nominal cost in due time to prepare for the celebration of First Eucharist.  Each candidate will be assessed before the sacrament of First Eucharist is celebrated. 

The role of parents, students, and the whole Catholic community is essential in the faith formation of our children.

Preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation is a privileged practice of our Catholic Faith. In receiving this sacrament for the first time, the promise is made to continue our faith. For most of us it means gathering at mass every Sunday and leading a Catholic life. All youth who are in grade 6 and about 11 years of age (and older), with the desire to be confirmed, are invited to participate. 

Young adults will be prepared for this Sacrament every second year. Sufficient notification will be given to the parishes when Confirmation is anticipated so that proper preparation can be received.   To help offset the costs incurred for Confirmation classes, a nominal fee will be charged. 

Preparations for Confirmation are extensive.  Participation of candidates is required and attendance will be taken. Preparations will involve meeting during the months leading up to Confirmation, and 10 hours of Community Service, a one-on-one interview to assess the candidate’s readiness and the mastery of supplemental material that will be assigned.  All candidates will be given the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation prior to Confirmation, and will be able to participate in a Confirmation Retreat prior to the actual celebration date.  A photographer will be asked to take photos that will be made available to candidates. 

The Sacrament of Marriage is an important milestone in the lives of most people.  Considerable time, effort and preparation are invested in each couple that asks to celebrate this sacrament in our region.  Parishioners wishing to be married should contact the administration office 403-742-2047 as soon as possible and at least six months before prior to your desired date.  (Some dioceses require twelve months notice.) 

This will allow adequate time for documentation and the required Catholic marriage preparation program.  At least one person must be a registered and practicing parishioner.  Please note, that individuals who do not live in the region, but hope to be married here must set a date with the Administration Office in Stettler, but must have their wedding documents prepared in the local parish of their residence.  Special consideration will be given to those whose parents are registered parishioners. 

Due to numerous competing variables, available dates and times for weddings are limited.  Multiple weddings may be scheduled for any one Saturday, if time and travel permits. Parishioners should be mindful of the fact that, because of the area covered by the Pastor, their first choice of a day or time may not be possible.

Upon first contact, the couple will be asked some up-front questions to determine whether or not both parties are free to marry in the Catholic Church.  Where there is a situation with one or both parties having been married before, or having attempted marriage outside the church previously, the condition will have to be resolved to the point where both become free to marry in the church.  In some cases a solution is not immediately available.  Where an annulment(s) is required, one could reasonably expect a twelve-month delay before a marriage date can be set. 

The details of the ceremony, especially the music, will reflect a Christian/ Catholic understanding of marriage.  Music selections will be suggested in a prepared list approved by the Pastor and in line with Archdiocesan guidelines.  Further guidance will be provided through a Wedding Preparation Kit provided to couples after their freedom to marry is determined and a date is confirmed. 

PUT GOD FIRST

Today we live in a culture that does not always put God first.  Your wedding preparations and your wedding ceremony should and can be a time of great sacramental grace—blessings that will support you in an important way in all the challenges that may surface in your future. 

Be good to yourselves during your preparation for your marriage, and particularly during the wedding ceremony.  Marriage is a Sacrament during which two people take upon themselves a sacred, indissoluble obligation.  This sacred conjugal bond carries with it an immense reservoir of grace to allow the couple to live in accordance with their vocation. 

Your church wedding then, should be just that, a time or interlude of prayerful awareness of the seriousness of accepting God’s invitation to love

During his public life, Jesus showed great care and concern for the sick and disabled.  This concern of Jesus is shown today through the Sacrament of the Sick.  No longer called the “last rites”, the Church’s ritual is meant for all who are ill or physically disabled.  The sacrament is meant for the living.  The sacrament may not be administered to a deceased person. 

If there is a person in your family who is ill, chronically sick, growing weaker or disabled, he/she should receive the Sacrament of the Sick.  If a family calls a priest, it is a great support for the sick person to have his/her family and friends present for the sacrament.  Also, if the family wishes to receive the Eucharist with the sick person, the priest should be informed. 

If you or a family member are preparing for surgery, you may wish to celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick before going to the hospital. 

Anyone interested in exploring the possibility of becoming a priest, deacon or a religious man or woman are invited to contact Father through the Parish Administration Office 403-742-2047.  You are also invited to contact the Archdiocesan Vocation Office at 780-469-1010.  

Vocations is everyone’s concern.  Anyone interested in supporting vocations may wish to consider the Sierra club, or finding out other ways to assist this work.  

The RCIA or the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process by which an adult (16 years of age and older) becomes a full member of the Catholic Church. The sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) are received at the Easter Vigil, (the Saturday evening Mass held before Easter Sunday).

RCIA is for the following individuals:

• an unbaptized person who wants to be baptized into the Catholic Church

• a member of another Christian denomination who wants to become Catholic

• a baptized Catholic who wants to be fully initiated through Eucharist and Confirmation

Expectations

• Regular Mass attendance

• Attend evening sessions

• Be present for an interview prior to the beginning of the process

• Be present for an interview prior to full initiation at the Easter Vigil

Sessions

• Each session will be approximately one and a half to two hours

• Sessions begin in the Fall and end during the Spring, depending on the date of Easter

• It is important to register by the end of September

Please call the Admin Office (403-742-2047) if you are interested in registering or would like more information.