RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)

This process is for those interested in joining the Catholic Church.; a journey with others during the Liturgical Year entering the Church with the Sacraments on Holy Saturday. A team approach, volunteers are welcome.

Maryann Shine, (910) 762-5491, x121

Catechesis for Adults:

Facilitate faith formation for adults within the parish to include Diocesan approved Catechetical Institute courses, as well as other USCCB approved programs.

Catechesis for Children and Youth:

Faith Formation for all parish children from kindergarten through high school meet on Sunday morning from 11:00 a.m. – noon during the academic year.

Children and youth are catechized by certified adult Catechists in all manners of faith life, to include Sacrament preparation.

RCIC (RCIA adapted for children/youth)

Children/youth over the age of 7 who have not received the Sacrament of Baptism (catechumens) are fully initiated into the Catholic Church through this process.

Sessions run during the academic year on Saturday afternoons from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., with the children/youth receiving all Sacraments of initiation at the Easer Vigil.

Faith Formation Mission:

The Department of Faith Formation of St. Mary Parish, Wilmington, NC actively participates in and extends the role of the domestic Church as the primary teacher of the faith.

The Department supports the domestic Church in forming the people of God into vibrant, Eucharistic communities.

English Speaking Baptism Preparation:

Baptism preparation involves counseling individuals who wish to receive the Sacrament of Baptism for themselves or their child/children and determining the appropriate course of action.

The Baptism preparation coordinator facilitates classes and schedules baptisms for parents who wish to have their child/children under the age of 7 baptized. The Baptism preparation class consists of a brief video, discussion about the Rite of Baptism in the Catholic Church, what the family can expect on the day of Baptism, and completion of the Baptism register paperwork.

First Holy Communion Preparation:

For all of those who were scheduled to celebrate First Communion this past April (2019), we have great news! We will begin celebrating First Communions at our Sunday Masses on Sunday, September 13th. We will be doing four at each Mass (English and Spanish), for a total of eight per week.

• There will be a signup form on our parish website beginning on Friday, August 21st. This will be done on a first come, first serve basis. You may choose any Sunday between September 13th and December 20th for your child to celebrate his/her First Communion.

• Each family will have one pew reserved for them. A pew can comfortably seat five to six adults plus one small child. Unfortunately, due to the current COVID-19 restrictions we cannot allow any additional guests than this.

• Because it has been a while since many of those who were scheduled to celebrate First Communion last April have even had the opportunity to come to Mass, we will post a short video of how each First Communicant should receive Communion on our parish website.

• A gentle reminder, this only for those children/youth who were scheduled to receive his/her First Communion last April.

• Please do not hesitate to contact Deacon John Walsh with any questions. – (910) 762-5491 x-114 or jwalsh@thestmaryparish.org
• Video for children celebrating their First Holy Communion

Marriage Preparation:

The purpose of this ministry is to meet with engaged couples to help them interpret their Fully Engaged Pre-Marital Inventory Results.

Simone Amato, 762-5491, x129

English

Deacon John Walsh, DRE, 762-5491, x114

Spanish

Norma Rivera, 762-5491, x122