Church Law andChurch Law andChildren’s Sacramental PoliciesChildren’s Sacramental Policies

Thursday, April 20, 2023Thursday, April 20, 2023

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

1.1. Law helps inform and guide individuals, communities Law helps inform and guide individuals, communities and societies to avoid that which is harmful and do that and societies to avoid that which is harmful and do that which is beneficial. Law:which is beneficial. Law:

a. Is prescriptive, giving us standards to live up to in our lives.

b. Is proscriptive, giving us the minimum levels of ethical behavior.

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

1.1. Law helps inform and guide individuals, communities Law helps inform and guide individuals, communities and societies to avoid that which is harmful and do that and societies to avoid that which is harmful and do that which is beneficial. Law:which is beneficial. Law:

c. Provides social order, protecting the dignity of the person and the common good.

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

2.2. Canon Law is the law of the life of the Church. Canon Canon Law is the law of the life of the Church. Canon Law:Law:

a. Exists in written form in the Code of Canon Law.

b. Helps us understand our rights and responsibilities as faithful followers of Christ in the Church, the Body of Christ.

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

2.2. Canon Law is the law of the life of the Church. Canon Canon Law is the law of the life of the Church. Canon Law:Law:

c. Is an expression of our own Catholic theology and seeks, along with Scripture, doctrine, and our life of prayer, to help us to be faithful to what the Church teaches in our daily lives.

d. Is a tool of communion (communio), strengthening the bonds of unity in the entire Church.

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

3.3. The Sacramental Policies for infants and children are The Sacramental Policies for infants and children are oriented to the evangelization of both the children and oriented to the evangelization of both the children and the families.the families.

a. A Diocesan policy is a statement of law by the local bishop.

b. The sacramental policies for infants and children also contain “Guidelines”, that is, suggested procedures to help us fulfill the mandates of laws and policies.

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

3.3. The Sacramental Policies for infants and children are The Sacramental Policies for infants and children are oriented to the evangelization of both the children and oriented to the evangelization of both the children and the families.the families.

c. All preparation is to be seen as a moment of evangelization for children, parents and adults who are involved.

d. As the domestic church, the parents are the primary educators, the first to proclaim the Gospel to the child.

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

3.3. The Sacramental Policies for infants and children are The Sacramental Policies for infants and children are oriented to the evangelization of both the children and oriented to the evangelization of both the children and the families.the families.

e. Preparation is to be mystagogical, that is, directed towards a life-long deepening of faith through the sacramental life of the Church.

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Infant Baptism Policy Infant Baptism Policy

• Understanding Baptism

• Policy 1: Welcoming Conversation

• Policy 2: Providing Sacramental Formation

• Policy 3: Sacramental Formation for Parents

Continued

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Infant Baptism Policy Infant Baptism Policy

• Policy 4: Parent (s) Commitment to Journey of Faith

• Policy 5: Godparents and Sponsors

• Policy 6: Charges

• Recommended Formation Content

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Sacrament of First Confession PolicySacrament of First Confession Policy

• The Sacrament of Penance

• Policy 1: Roles for those involved

• Guidelines for Those Involved

• Policy 2: Sacramental Formation

Continued

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Sacrament of First Confession PolicySacrament of First Confession Policy

• Catechetical Content and Formation Guidelines

• Policy 3: Celebration of the Sacrament

• Policy 4: Registration of Sacramental Information

• Guidelines for Special Situations

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Confirmation and First Eucharist PolicyConfirmation and First Eucharist Policy

• Understanding these Sacraments

• Confirmation and the Age of Discretion

• Policy 4-1.2.1: Roles for Those Involved

• Guidelines for those Involved

• Policy 4-1.2.2: Sacramental Formation

Continued

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Confirmation and First Eucharist PolicyConfirmation and First Eucharist Policy

• Formation Guidelines

• Recommended Catechetical Content for Confirmation

• Recommend Catechetical Content for 1st Eucharist

• Policy 4-1.2.3: Celebration of the Sacrament

Continued

Session 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental PoliciesSession 7 – Church Law and Children’s Sacramental Policies

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Confirmation and First Eucharist PolicyConfirmation and First Eucharist Policy

• Mystagogia: A Lifelong Process

• Guidelines for Special Situations

• Addendum: Restored Order

• A Vision for Step-Down and Transition