Religious Education Sacraments

Religious Education coordinates the Sacraments that children and teens may receive throughout their school years using the guidelines from the Diocese of Albany. Holy Family supports and prepares families and teachers as their children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Communion in 2nd grade and Confirmation as a two-year program in 9th and 10th grade, with Confirmation being conferred in 10th grade.

Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and most important moments of Christian life; they give birth, healing, and mission to the Christian’s life of faith.  

First Reconciliation: This Sacrament is called Reconciliation because it imparts the love of God onto the reconciling sinner. He who lives by God’s merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord’s call: “Go; first be reconciled to your brother.” 

First Communion: Holy Communion commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples during Passover. Our Church teachings say that Jesus is present in the consecrated communion wine and bread, also known as The Eucharist, each time parishioners receive it. Eucharist means “thanksgiving.” The bread and wine become the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus, according to Catholic doctrine. 

Confirmation: The reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For “by the Sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.” Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed. 

For more information on Holy Family Parish and St. Joseph Church Religious Education programs, please contact:
Contact: Fr. Brian Slezak, Pastor
Phone: (315) 823-3410 
Email: brian.slezak@rcda.org