Infants

Three months before the due date of the child's birth or the Baptism, we ask parents to attend the parish Baptism preparation program. Parents are invited to register in person during office hours (Monday to Friday 9:00am-4:00pm). Please note the office is closed daily 12:30pm-1:30pm for lunch.  Contact Annette Fad, our parish secretary, with any questions:  302-239-7100, Ext. 33.

After attending the parish baptismal preparation program, the date can be set. Baptisms are scheduled the second and fourth Sundays of the month at 1:00 p.m. Please  contact Annette Fad at 239-7100, ext. 33.
 

Godparent and Sponsor Information

A person who is 16 years old, baptized and confirmed and who is a practicing Catholic may be a Godparent, also called a sponsor. One is required: two are permitted, provided one is male and the other female. A baptized Protestant who is practicing the faith of Jesus and who is at least 16 years old may be one of the two Godparents (and is called a Christian Witness) but is not considered a sponsor.

Adults or Children Seven Years or Older

The normal process is the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). For information contact John Giacci at 302-239-7100, ext. 32.  Become Catholic and Register Now for RCIA...

Learn more about Baptism

Children

In order to receive the sacrament of First Reconciliation at St. Mary's, public and private school children participate in the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) each year from Grades 1 through 8.  In addition to the PREP classes, preparation for First Reconciliation may begin in grade two. Contact Sandy Fiscella, at 302-239-7100, ext. 18.

As an alternative to PREP, if your child attends Catholic school, please contact Sandy Fiscella toward the end of your child's first grade year for instructions regarding sacramental preparation. 
 

Adults

The normal process for adults and children age 7 and above baptized in another Christian denomination is the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). This process may also be appropriate for adults baptized Catholic who have not received Eucharist and Confirmation. Contact John Giacci at 302-239-7100, ext. 32 to inquire about coming into full communion with the Catholic Church. Register Now for RCIA...

For those who have already received their First Reconciliation, the sacrament may be received on Saturdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. or by appointment.

Learn more about Reconcilation and Penance

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.'" (Matthew 26:26-29)

Children

In order to receive the sacrament of First Eucharist at St. Mary's, public and private school children participate in the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) each year from Grades 1 through 8. In addition to the PREP classes, preparation for First Eucharist may begin in grade two. Contact Sandy Fiscella, at 302-239-7100, ext. 18.

As an alternative to PREP, if your child attends Catholic school, please contact Sandy Fiscella toward the end of your child's first grade year for instructions regarding sacramental preparation. 
 

Adults

The normal process for adults and children age 7 and above baptized in another Christian denomination is the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). This process may also be appropriate for adults baptized Catholic who have not received Eucharist and Confirmation. Contact John Giacci at 302-239-7100, ext. 32 to inquire about coming into full communion with the Catholic Church.  Register Now for RCIA...

Learn more about the Eucharist

TEENS

At St. Mary's, Confirmation preparation requires participation in sessions that run from September through April.  Grade nine is the minimum for Confirmation candidates. Sponsors for Confirmation must be at least 16 years of age, baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith, and must be practicing their Catholic faith. Parents may not serve as sponsors for their children.

Adults

The normal process for adults who have been baptized in another Christian denomination is the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). This process may also be appropriate for adults baptized Catholic who have not received Eucharist and Confirmation. Contact John Giacci at 302-239-7100, ext. 32 to inquire about coming into full communion with the Catholic Church. Adult Catholics who have not been confirmed and wish to receive the sacrament of confirmation may also contact this office or a parish priest or deacon.  Register Now for RCIA...

Learn more about Confirmation

Teen Confirmation 2025

Welcome to the Confirmation Preparation program for 2024-25.
The program is open to 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students of Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish.  Candidates should have completed the 2 previous years in a parish religious education program or Catholic school.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Confirmation 2025 Schedule
Registration
Choosing a Sponsor:
The Church requires that a Confirmation sponsor must be fully initiated (has received Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) and is currently a practicing Catholic.
Sponsors are to be over 16 years of age.
If a sponsor is married, their marriage should have been blessed by the Church.
Every sponsor who is not a member of St. Mary of the Assumption must submit a “certificate of eligibility” provided by their home parish.
   A parent or step parent may NOT serve as his/her child’s sponsor.
Sponsor Form

Choosing a Confirmation Name:

Candidates will be asked to prayerfully reflect on a Confirmation name. They may reaffirm their Baptismal name or choose a new name. It must be a Christian name- the name of a Saint or a name of one of the great men or women of the Bible. This person then becomes the candidate’s patron and spiritual guide for their faith journey.

Confirmation Name Choice

Performing Service:

As Catholic Christians we are all called and challenged to be like Jesus who thought of others before self. Confirmation preparation is a time to seriously consider, and to begin to intentionally live as a disciple of Christ.
   Confirmation candidates are asked to complete 20 hours of service in their parish, school,
   neighborhood, or the larger community.

Since the Sacrament of marriage involves the joining of two people in a special union, a couple planning to marry should:

• Before contracting for your reception, contact the parish priest or deacon at least one year prior to the anticipated wedding date; and 

• Attend a marriage preparation program. There are three parts to the program:
  1) Time for instruction and discussion with a priest or deacon.
  2) Pre-Cana Conference or Engaged Encounter Weekend.
  3) Time with the parish Couples Sponsor Program.

• By Diocesan Policy, at least one year is needed to complete the marriage requirements.

"He said to them, 'Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.' At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people." (Matthew 4:19-23)

If you are interested in learning more about Holy Orders and want to meet or speak with someone at St. Mary's, please contact Fr. Glenn Evers, Associate Pastor, 302-239-7100, Ext. 24.

The Diocese of Wilmington website also has more information about vocations.

Learn more about Holy Orders

"Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven."  (James 5:14-15)

Anointing is administered in case of any health emergency that threatens the life of a person. If you are experiencing an emergency and need Anointing of the Sick, please contact the parish office (302-239-7100) and follow the instructions for emergency calls.

In those cases when you know you will be going to the hospital for serious illness, it is recommended that you be anointed before you enter the hospital. We will celebrate the Anointing of the Sick during the Saturday morning Mass whenever requested. Please call the parish office to make an appointment.

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick may be received every five to six months during a serious illness.

Learn more about Anointing of the Sick