Restored Order of the Sacraments
The sacraments of 1st Reconciliation, 1st Communion and Confirmation are traditionally recieved in childhood after a child meets the age of reason, around age 8 or 9. The sacrament of Reconciliation, sometimes called Penance or Confession is necessary for the forgiveness of sins after baptism and must be completed before a child's 1st Holy Communion. Preparation for 1st Reconciliation is done in second grade.
The Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion after Baptism complete a child's initiation into the Catholic Church. Confirmation unites us more firmly with God the Father, Christ and his church, increases the Gifts of the Holy Spirit originally recieved in Baptism and strengthens us to spread and defend the faith through words and actions as Jesus's disciples. While many are familiar with Confirmation being recieved in Middle School or High School the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1307) states "the age of discretion" is the reference point for recieving Confirmation.
CCC 1308 "Although Confirmation is sometimes called the "sacrament of Christian maturity," we must not confuse adult faith with the adult age of natural growth, nor forget that the baptismal grace is a grace of free, unmerited election and does not need "ratification" to become effective. St. Thomas reminds us of this:
Age of body does not determine age of soul. Even in childhood man can attain spiritual maturity: as the book of Wisdom states: "For old ages is not honored for length of time, or measured by number of years." Many children, through the strength of the Holy Spirit they have recieved, have bravely fought for Christ even to the shedding of their blood."
Holy Communion or Holy Eucharist, the reception of Jesus's body and blood, is the source and summit of the Christian life and completes Christian initiation. "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch." CCC 1324
In his addendum to his 2024 Pastoral Letter, Bishop Konderla announced that the Diocese of Tulsa will be moving to Restored Order of the Sacraments.
Restored Order means:
- 2nd Grade to receive 1st Reconciliation
- 3rd Grade to receive Confirmation and 1st Communion in the same mass with the bishop presiding.
St. Henry will be making steps toward this new plan. We are moving to a 1 year preparation for the sacraments. This means the 1st grade is no longer a sacrament preparation year. First graders will participate in our Family Catechesis program.
- In the 2025-2026 School Year, those in 2nd grade will receive 1st Reconciliation in Spring 2026 and 1st Communion/Confirmation in Spring 2027.
- Students in 4th grade and 5th grade will recieve Confirmation preparation. With reception in the Spring of 2026.
- Students in MS/HS needing any of these sacraments will be in a Sunday class together. Please contact the office if you have a student in these grades needing sacraments.
- Sacrament preparation meets every Sunday from 8:30-9:45am, following the Owasso Public Schools' Calendar. Parents are expected to remain involved in Family Catechesis as the programs support each other.
All students needing sacraments must registered parishioners of St. Henry and are expected to attend Sunday mass on a regular basis. A $50 Registration fee per student is assessed to help support our faith formation programs and materials. If not baptized at St. Henry a Baptismal Certificate must be provided prior to reception of any sacraments.