Sacrament Preparation


Jesus entrusted Seven Sacraments to the Church:

  1. Baptism
  2. The Eucharist (also called Holy Communion)
  3. Reconciliation (also called Confession or Penance)
  4. Confirmation
  5. Marriage (also called Matrimony)
  6. Anointing of the Sick
  7. Holy Orders (also called Ordination)

Each of these Sacraments is a sign of God's grace that is also effective, which means it provides the grace it signifies. When we receive a sacrament, we receive the grace and divine life of God through the work of the Holy Spirit. Through the sacraments, especially Baptism and the Eucharist, Jesus fulfills his promise to us: “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).

Sacraments - Signs of God's grace in our lives (Read more on the USCCB.org website.)

Preparing to Receive the Sacraments

Individuals or families who wish to receive a sacrament for the first time at the Church of Saint Andrew must be a registered member of the parish, and in the case of children and teens, are expected to be enrolled and participating in a Faith Formation program or enrolled in a Catholic school.  Sacramental preparation is in addition to these programs.

A copy of each child’s baptismal record is required in order to receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. If the child was baptized at the Church of Saint Andrew, we will have the baptismal record on file; if the child was baptized at another parish, parents must provide a copy of the baptismal certificate to the parish.

Baptism is the first of the Sacraments of Initiation and marks the beginning of the entire Christian life.  The sacrament is celebrated by the Church at the command of Jesus, who said to the Apostles, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). 


Are you an unbaptized adult who wants to be baptized? Learn more here.


To request and schedule Baptism for your child at the Saint Andrew Catholic Church, use these two links, print and complete the following Baptism Information form and Sponsor/Godparent form. Return both forms to the parish office, attention Julie Gerads, address: 566 4th St NW Elk River, MN 55330. For copies of the forms or for more information about Baptism preparation, contact the Parish Administrative Assistant, Julie Gerads, at 763-441-1483 x301. 


See our page on Baptism for your child.

The Eucharist (Holy Communion)

The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Initiation in which we receive Jesus Christ's body, blood, soul and divinity into our very being, according to His words at the Last Supper: "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me...This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you" (Luke 22:19-20).


All baptized and practicing Catholics who have received their first Holy Communion, are free of any serious (mortal) sin, and have observed the required fast (no food or drink other than water for one hour before receiving) are welcome to receive the Eucharist at the Church of Saint Andrew.


Non-Catholics and those Catholics who are not prepared to receive may come forward with their arms crossed over their chest to receive a blessing.


Children in our parish typically celebrate First Reconciliation and First Communion in second grade.  They must be students at a Catholic school or enrolled in our Faith Formation Program.  They will participate in additional preparation with workbooks as well as attending retreats.


First Communions in 2026 will be celebrated May 2 at 5:00 PM Mass, May 3 at 10:30 AM Mass and 1:30 PM Mass (Spanish), May 9 at 5:00 PM Mass, and May 10 at 10:30 AM Mass. 


Are you an adult who wants to receive Holy Communion for the first time? Learn more here.


For more information about preparing for the Sacrament of Eucharist at the Church of Saint Andrew,

contact the Parish Office at at 763-441-1483.

Reconciliation (Confession or Penance)

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also called Confession or Penance, is a Sacrament of Healing in which we confess our sins to a priest, who stands in the person of Christ to give us the Lord's forgiveness and absolution, as Jesus Himself instructed: “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (John 20:23).


All baptized and practicing Catholics who have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation before are welcome to come to confession at the Church of Saint Andrew. Confessions are held Saturday 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM (Church Reconciliation Room), after First Friday and First Saturday Masses, and after the Tuesday evening Mass.


Are you an adult who wants to go to Confession for the first time? Learn more here.

For more information about preparing for the Sacrament of Eucharist at the Church of Saint Andrew,
contact the parish office at at 763-441-1483.


Confirmation 

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the third of the three sacraments of Christian Initiation (along with Baptism and Eucharist). In Confirmation, we receive a deepening of the Holy Spirit, just as the disciples received at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11). It perfects baptismal grace, and seals us with the gift of the Holy Spirit to root us more firmly in Christ, and strengthen our bond with the Church. Confirmation imprints a permanent spiritual mark on the soul, setting us apart as Christian disciples. It enriches us with a special strength of the Holy Spirit and obliges us to our role in the mission of the Church, which is to proclaim the Gospel, or “good news,” of salvation to the world. Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are able to enter into this mission and are sent forth to “go make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-20). See CCC 1285 – 1321.


Baptized Catholics who are in 11th grade or older can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Church of Saint Andrew. Preparation generally begins in ninth grade.


Are you an adult who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation? Learn more here.

For more information about preparing for the sacrament of Eucharist at the Church of Saint Andrew, contact the Parish Office at at 763-441-1483.

Marriage (Matrimony)

The Sacrament of Marriage unites a man and woman in lifelong, loving communion with each other and with God: "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate" (Matthew 19:4-6).


The following guidelines will aid your journey of preparation for Marriage at Saint Andrew:

  • Contact the parish office 763-441-1483 at least six months prior to your anticipated date of marriage or sooner to arrange a meeting with Fr. Mark Innocenti (Pastor).
  • Follow the steps outlined on the Diocese of Saint Cloud Marriage Preparation webpage as a guide and coordinate with Saint Andrew.
  • After meeting with Fr. Mark Innocenti, arrange to meet with Deacon Randy Bayerl, 763-441-1483 x308 or randyb@saint-andrew.net, to complete the Fully Engaged Premarital Inventory assessment. This tool aids engaged couples in the process of considering and discussing issues and topics of foundational importance for their marriage.
  • A married sponsor couple, trained in the Fully Engaged program will help the engaged couple discuss the inventory findings and aid them as disciples on the marriage journey. The engaged and sponsor couples will meet 2-4 times on average, or as needed, to complete the inventory discussions.
  • Additional online resources are available on the US Council of Catholic Bishops website.
  • See our Marriage page for more information.


For more information about preparing for Marriage at the Church of Saint Andrew, contact our pastor, Fr. Mark Innocenti, at 763-441-1483 x302.


Matrimony - link to USCCB.org Catechism of the Catholic Faith

Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick is one of the Church's Sacraments of Healing. All people, young or old, who face acute or chronic illness, surgery or other significant medical issues are invited to be anointed for healing and grace, in keeping with sacred Scripture: "Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well" (James 5:14-15).


If you would like to schedule a priest for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, please call the Parish Office at 763-441-1483. If it is an emergency, please let us know.

Holy Orders (Ordination)

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the Sacrament of Ordination for deacons, priests and bishops in the Church. It is a calling from God and confers authority: "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority" (Luke 9:1).


If you think God may be calling you to become a priest or deacon or to learn more about vocations, (Diocese of St. Cloud webpage) please contact Fr. Doug Liebsch, Director of the Office of Vocations for the Diocese of St. Cloud at 320-251-5001 or via email to Julie Jacobs, Administrative Assistant.