The sacraments of Christian initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist –lay the foundations of every Christian Life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. Parents as the primary educators of their children in faith have a crucial role in assisting them in preparing for the reception of these sacraments and growing in their faith. In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI stated that
‘it is necessary that parishes increasingly strive to support families, the little domestic churches, in their work of passing on the faith’ (9 January 2011)
A reflection on each of those sacraments and how the Parish supports young people and their parents in receiving them follows.