A sacrament is an efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit (CCC Glossary, Sacrament).
St. Philip the Apostle Church provides sacramental preparation for our children and youth. Preparation for the sacraments of First Penance, First Communion and Confirmation occur in the context of the parish religious education program or in our Catholic Schools. This sacramental preparation process is appropriate for children who have been baptized Catholic and are regularly attending a religious education program. First Penance and First Communion occur in Second Grade, while Confirmation occurs in eighth grade. To receive First Communion, the Diocese of Harrisburg requires that children have completed a year of religious education before beginning sacramental preparation. To receive Confirmation in grade 8, the diocese requires a year of formal preparation before entering the Confirmation class for immediate preparation.
For children who are older than the ordinary age for reception of sacraments, special provisions can be made. Please contact the Parish Office for more information.