Baptism marks the beginning of our Christian life. Through this sacrament we first participate in the Lord's death & resurrection. From the moment of our baptism, we are called to renew and deepen our share in the Paschal mystery by participating in the Church's liturgy, by daily prayer and works of charity.
The baptismal preparation team meets with parents and godparents and helps prepare them for their roles in the lives of their children through reflections and discussions. Through a series of sessions before and after the baptism, a strong connection is made between the parents and parish community, welcoming both them and their children into our parish family.
For anyone interested in joining this team, please call the parish office. Baptisms are held on Sundays as required. The commitment from the team is one meeting with the parents and godparents and attendance to assist at the ceremony.
If you are a parent who wishes to have their child baptized, please contact the office.
- Suitable for Teens 13 and up
Children's Sacramental Preparation
The Sacramental preparation committee helps to prepare parents and school aged children for the sacraments of Confirmation and Communion, through the "Come Join Us at the Table" program.
With our renewed understanding of Christian initiation following Vatican II, the Archdiocese of Ottawa is returning to the traditional practice of celebrating Confirmation and first Eucharist together. These sacraments are not tied to a specific age or grade, but rather are celebrated when the children are ready.
For children attending Holy Cross or Holy Family schools as well as for children at all other schools, parents are encouraged to contact the parish office for information.
New team members are needed to help prepare children and parents for these sacraments. All that is required is a desire to help children and their parents through these important stages of their faith journey. Several meetings, activities and celebrations are planned throughout the year, and training is provided.
Marriage Preparation
The program is designed in helping couples prepare for marriage and the goal of the program is to introduce engaged couples to marriage as a vocation to love. In the last years, the course was only offered to those registered at Holy Cross Parish and this year it was extended to other parishes in Ottawa.
Different couples are chosen as speakers to speak on the different topics selected in the program. The only experiences these couples need are to be ‘loving couples who believe in the sacrament of marriage’. The topics within “Evening for the Engaged” program are:
- Looking at Marriage Together
- Ways to Communicate Love
- Images of God and Married Love
- Marriage and Intimacy
- The Sacrament of Matrimony
- Building a Stronger Marriage
- Finance (optional, not included in program but added for the couples)
Engaged couples are requested to call the parish office to register.
A course is held once a year (a second course is provided if we have enough couples). The program is 7 weeks long, and couples meet once every Tuesday from 7 - 9 pm in the comfort of a home. The old saying, “there’s no place like home” rings true when bringing couples in for marriage preparation. They are warmly greeted by the facilitator and sometimes children and even pets and they get a true feeling of being a part of a family and welcomed. It is less formal and it doesn’t seem like a course as much as a sharing experience. The program “Evening for the Engaged” is used, which provides a leaders guide as well as handouts. There are different couples who talk for the different topics. The only experience needed is a loving couple who believe in marriage as a sacrament.
