Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian’s life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life.
– CCC 1210
In the Spring of 2015 Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila announced that the Archdiocese of Denver would be moving confirmation before First Communion, thus restoring the original order of Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist as it was in the early church up until 1910.
The sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. We celebrate that Jesus in his abundant love and mercy, established this sacrament so that we who are sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and be reconciled with the Church and with God.
After celebrating their First Reconciliation one can go to Confession frequently. Confessions are heard here at Holy Family on Saturday afternoons from 3:00 until 3:45 or by individual appointment. Call the office at 303-455-1664 for an appointment.
“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats me flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” – John 6: 55-57
In Holy Communion, prepare to meet the Lord Jesus in this special sacrament. The Rite of Holy Communion celebrates the second step toward full initiation into the Church. First Holy Communion is most often celebrated around the age of seven or eight, when the children are of the age of reason and are capable of participating in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. For First Holy Communion, you must go to the sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving Holy Communion.
The Eucharist is a gift that takes a whole life time to understand; it is a gift that requires a response from us, that is why we must take care that our children are well prepared.
At your child’s Baptism you, the parents, were told that you “would be the first and best teachers of your children in the way of faith”. Parental involvement in the preparation of your child for First Holy Communion is paramount. The parish ‘helps’, but does not replace your part in the process of leading your children in the development of their faith, through the development and example of your own life. The best preparation for the Eucharist is taking your child to Mass regularly and helping your child understand what it is all about.
“Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” – Acts of the Apostles 2:3-4
In Baptism, parents and godparents promised that the child would be raised in the faith. They professed their faith on behalf of the child. In Confirmation the candidates will renew their Baptismal promises themselves. Candidates will choose a sponsor who will stand with them as they are presented to the Bishop for Confirmation.
The Church encourages that one of the Baptismal Godparents serve as a sponsor for Confirmation because this expresses the link between the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. A good sponsor is someone who has been close to the candidate (someone other than a parent) and supportive throughout life. The sponsor must have been Baptized Catholic, receive Holy Communion regularly, and have been confirmed. They must be at least 16 years old, and a good role model of the Catholic faith. If they are married, they must have received the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic faith.
The Holy Family Sacramental Preparation Program prepares students for their First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Student and parent sessions are held on Wednesday evenings beginning on January 8, 2025, 6:30PM-7:30PM. Classes for 6th-12 grade students will take place in the hospitality room (north side door of the church building, along 44th street). See calendar for class schedule.
Students’ 6th – 12th grade do not attend the Nazareth Program but attending the Sunday liturgy on a weekly basis is extremely important.