The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus.  Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist.  The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters.  . . .  Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin.  However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin – Original and actual – and begin to live a new life with God.

In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ's call to holiness. In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love.

~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults 

For more information on how to request a baptism and attend the required baptism class at Our Lady of the Visitation, please contact our parish office at parishoffice@olvp.org.  

Sponsor Form for Baptism 

In the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole Christ is truly present -- body, blood, soul, and divinity -- under the appearances of bread and wine, the glorified Christ who rose from the dead. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist.

Children are prepared over two years, typically starting in 1st grade with the sacrament of First Reconciliation occuring during Lent and the their First Eucharist occuring in early May during their 2nd grade year. Visit https://olvp.org/youth-faith-formation for more details.  

USCCB Eucharist Infographic

The new life in Christ that begins in Baptism may be weakened or lost through sin. Sin ruptures not only our relationship with God but also with our brothers and sisters. By the nourishing light of the Holy Spirit, we are able to prepare for the Sacrament of Penance by examining our consciences to identify those ways in which we are not in right relationship with God and with others. This examination also challenges us to recognize our own participation in the “structures of sin” that degrade others’ lives and dignity. Through the Sacrament of Penance, God offers mercy and forgiveness. In response to this gift, we are called to become vehicles of Christ’s love, making amends and restoring justice and the bonds that have been broken. Healed and forgiven, we are sent to work for peace, justice, and love in our communities and world.

Contact the parish office at parishoffice@olvp.org for more information.  

Visit https://olvp.org/youth-faith-formation for more details.  

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish is accomplished through a two-year program. Students are required to attend classes, complete 20 hours of community and church service, to write a report on their chosen saint, to write a letter to Cardinal Gregory explaining why they want to be confirmed in the Catholic faith, to attend a Confirmation retreat, to be interviewed by a priest, and to pass their Faith Knowledge Assessment.

Confirmation, together with Baptism and Eucharist, form the Sacraments of Initiation that are all intimately connected. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is “sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit” and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ.  Here is short video providing students and families and explanation on the Sacrament of Confirmation, video

The prophets of the Old Testament foretold that God’s Spirit would rest upon the Messiah to sustain his mission. Their prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus the Messiah was conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus on the occasion of his baptism by John.

Jesus’ entire mission occurred in communion with the Spirit. Before he died, Jesus promised that the Spirit would be given to the Apostles and to the entire Church. After his death, he was raised by the Father in the power of the Spirit.

Those who believed in the Apostles’ preaching were baptized and received the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. The Apostles baptized believers in water and the Spirit. Then they imparted the special gift of the Spirit through the laying on of hands. “‘The imposition of hands is rightly recognized by the Catholic tradition as the origin of the sacrament of Confirmation, which in a certain way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church'” (CCC, no. 1288, citing Pope Paul VI, Divinae Consortium Naturae, no. 659).

By the second century, Confirmation was also conferred by anointing with holy oil, which came to be called sacred Chrism. “This anointing highlights the name ‘Christian,’ which means ‘anointed’ and derives from that of Christ himself whom God ‘anointed with the Holy Spirit'” (CCC, no. 1289, citing Acts 10:38).

~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults 

Youth participate in a two year preparation program (7th & 8th Grade) before they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  Please contact Erin Clegg at eclegg@olvp.org or visit https://olvp.org/youth-faith-formation for more details.   

Youth seeking sacraments at a later time are encouraged to attend RCIC.  Please contact Erin Clegg at eclegg@olvp.org for more information.  

Adults preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation attend RCIA with Fr Greg or Deacon Ted.  Please contact the Parish office at parishoffice@olvp.org.   

Confirmation Sponsor Form

In Christian marriage, spouses model the love and self-gift of Christ. By giving of themselves and serving one another, their family, and community, they help one another live out Christ’s call to discipleship, love, and service. Marriage provides a foundation for a family committed to community, solidarity, and Jesus’ mission in the world.

It is Archdiocesan and parish policy that couples seeking to be married in the Church are to make arrangements with a Priest or Deacon a minimum of six months prior to setting a wedding date.  Do not plan the reception until you meet with a Priest or Deacon. 

Contact Fr. Greg at gshaffer@olvp.org or Deacon Ted at deaconted@olvp.org.