Sacramental Preparation
Baptism
St. John's welcomes and congratulates parents of children who are under the age of 7 years who come for Baptism. We offer a Baptismal preparation session the third Sunday of every month after the 11:00 a.m. Mass in Rooms 6 & 7 of the parish hall. Parents are required to attend, and godparents are encouraged to attend these sessions in order to understand the responsibility they assume when they present their children for the sacrament. If your child is over the age of seven and needs to be baptized, please call the Director of Faith Formation.
The Baptism Ministry welcomes new members to be trained for this service.
For further information or to register for the class, please call Beth Lowry at St. John the Evangelist's office: (321) 637- 9650.
First Reconciliation
and First Communion
First Reconciliation and First Communion is a two-year process. Children typically receive their First Reconciliation and First Communion while in 2nd grade. Any child who is older than 2nd grade that has not received these sacraments will be placed in their grade appropriate class the first year. The second year they will be in their grade appropriate class and meet with the Director of Religious Education to receive the needed instruction to receive the sacraments.
Confirmation
The Confirmation preparation program at St. John the Evangelist begins no earlier than the start of ninth grade. However, we strive to have a program that is NOT age based, but rather one that is disposition based. This means the age of the student is not as important as whether or not they are ready to receive the Sacrament.
Confirmation enhances the grace of Baptism while uniting us more firmly to Christ and increasing the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us. When we are Confirmed, we receive the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit granted to the Apostles on the day of Pentecost. It is not a graduation from church or faith formation. It is the beginning of a life of discipleship, not an end.
Confirmation classes are weekly on Sunday evenings. Youth are encouraged to attend Sunday Mass at 4:30 PM and then join us in the parish hall from 5:30 - 6:00 pm for a time of fellowship. Catechesis is from 6 - 7:30 pm.
Confirmation Initial Preparation
Important Dates
2025-2026:
Aug. 24, 2025: Meeting for parents and candidates.
Sept. 21, 2025: Submit "What I need to know" Letter.
Oct. 19, 2025: Submit Sponsor Form.
Oct. 19, 2025: Submit Sponsor Eligibility form **not required if sponsor is a member of SJE**
Nov. 2, 2025: Provide Baptism Record **not required if candidate was baptized at SJE**
TBA Dec. 2025: Advent Parish Reconciliation Service.
TBA Feb/March 2026: Lent Parish Reconciliation Service.
Feb. 28, 2026: Day of Prayer Retreat.
March. 15, 2026: Submit the THREE Acts of Service Forms.
April. 12, 2026: Submit "What I Learned" Letter.
May. 3, 2026: Parent Information Meeting.
Confirmation Proximate Preparation
Important Dates
2025-2026:
Aug. 24, 2025 Meeting for parents and candidates
Sept. 13, 2025 Day of Discernment Retreat
Oct. 19, 2025 Submit Sponsor Form
*Do not submit again if this was done during Initial Prep*
Oct. 19, 2025 Submit Sponsor Eligibility form
*Required if sponsor is NOT a member of SJE*
Nov. 2, 2025 Provide Baptism Record
*Do not submit again if this was done during Initial Prep*
**Required if candidate was NOT baptized at SJE**
TBA. Dec. 2025 Advent Parish Reconciliation Service
Dec. 7, 2025 Submit Confirmation Name Letter
Jan. 25, 2026 Evening of Reflection for parents and sponsors
Late January 2026 Scheduling of family meeting with Father John opens
TBA Feb/March 2026 Lent Parish Reconciliation Service
March 15, 2026 Submit THREE Acts of Service Forms
April 19, 2026 Submit “What I Learned” Letter
May 16, 2026 Day of Reflection Retreat
TBA May, 2026 Rehearsal and Reconciliation
TBA May 23 OR 24, 2026 Rite of Confirmation
If you have any questions about our Confirmation program, contact our Youth Ministry Coordinator, Schonda Rodriguez, at sjeteens@stjohnviera.org.
Did you know that if you wish to be a Baptismal, RCIA or Confirmation sponsor you need to be Confirmed? If you plan on being a godparent or a sponsor in the future, this is a great opportunity to ensure that you are ready for that role.
Adults seeking to be confirmed are invited to attend classes to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Questions: Kelli Salceda, Director of Religious Education, at ksalceda@stjohnviera.org