Sacramental Life & Preparation
Baptism
We joyfully welcome families preparing for the Baptism of their child. Whether you are active in the Church or returning after time away, we are here to support you. Through Baptism, your child becomes a member of Christ and His Church, and our parish is committed to helping you nurture your child’s faith.
Baptism Requirements
For a child to be baptized, there must be a sincere intention to raise the child in the Catholic faith. This ordinarily includes:
- At least one Catholic parent
- Regular participation in Sunday Mass
- Baptismal preparation for parents
- At least one practicing Catholic godparent who is confirmed and age 16 or older
Children of Different Ages
- Ages 0–6: Parents complete Baptismal preparation before their child is baptized.
- Ages 7–17: Children and youth prepare for Baptism through the Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA) with the support of their parents.
- Parents who are not Catholic: You are welcome to participate in OCIA and explore becoming Catholic as a family.
Godparents
A Catholic godparent must be at least 16 years old, confirmed, and actively practicing the Catholic faith. If there are two godparents, one may be a baptized non-Catholic Christian who serves as a Christian witness.
Steps to Baptism
- Schedule an initial meeting with the Faith Formation Director, Julie Romero.
- Complete Baptismal preparation for parents and, when possible, godparents.
- Meet with the pastor to discuss Baptism and raising your child in the Catholic faith.
- Celebrate Baptism, ordinarily during a Sunday Mass with the parish community.
Baptism dates are scheduled in coordination with the parish calendar.
To begin preparing for Baptism, contact Julie Romero at jromero@stcolumbacatholic.org.
First Communion & Reconciliation
The Eucharist is at the heart of our Catholic faith. At Sunday Mass, our parish community gathers to remember Jesus’ death and Resurrection and to receive His Body and Blood under the appearance of bread and wine. Through Holy Communion, we are united with Jesus and with the Church, the Body of Christ.
Before receiving First Eucharist, children prepare for First Reconciliation. In this sacrament, they encounter God’s loving mercy, receive forgiveness for their sins, and experience the joy of beginning again with Christ. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist continue the journey of faith begun at Baptism. These sacraments are important steps in a child’s lifelong relationship with God, who forgives, nourishes, and strengthens us to live as His disciples.
Sacramental preparation takes place within family life with the support of the parish staff throughout the primary years. The Family of Faith program supports families on the path of the Sacrament of First Communion, Reconciliation, and beyond. Children must be exactly 8 years or older to receive First Eucharist.
Our first family meeting is on October 4th at 9 am in the Parish Center. Click to view the 2026 - 2027 schedule.
Confirmation
Confirmation completes the grace received at Baptism. Through the laying on of hands and anointing with Sacred Chrism, candidates are sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and sent forth to share the Gospel through their words and actions. Preparation includes a personal relationship with Jesus, regular Sunday Mass, prayer, study, service, and participation in parish life. Parents and youth discern readiness for Confirmation in collaboration with the pastor and Faith Formation Director. The usual age for Confirmation is middle-high school.
Confirmation preparation is a two-year journey designed to help young people deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, grow in their Catholic faith, and become active members of the Church.
All candidates participate in Vita Youth Ministry, including Youth Mass, Life Nights, service projects, fellowship, and retreat opportunities. Through Vita, teens encounter Christ, build meaningful friendships, and learn to live as His disciples.
Candidates also complete Chosen by Ascension Press through family faith formation, accompanied by a parent and/or sponsor. Throughout the two-year journey, candidates meet with a parish catechist for conversation, encouragement, and guidance as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Contact Julie Romero for more information.
Marriage Guidelines for St. Columba
Matrimony joins two people in marriage for a lifetime of dedication to each other’s well being and the well being of their children and the community.
Weddings are special and joyful times for the bride and groom, their families and friends, and for the parish community. The new beginning, the love, the promise and hope of a marriage make the celebration of a wedding ceremony a grace filled time. Great care is taken to see that the prayer for this special occasion is reverent, graceful, beautiful and open to the movement of God’s Spirit among those gathered.
Within the Catholic tradition, the celebration of the sacraments, marriage included, is rooted in hearing sacred scriptures so that we can be nourished and strengthened by God’s Word. We celebrate the sacraments as a community. We gather with our brothers and sisters in faith and ask for their prayerful support.
The sacrament of marriage is both a personal and a public testimony of the special love two people hold for each other. This love, shared in the sacrament, “becomes the mirror of God’s everlasting love and symbol of Christ’s love for his Church”. Hence, the music and readings chosen for a wedding are selected as a sign to the worshipping community that the love being celebrated reflects God’s loving presence.
The following themes are present in the Church’s Rite of Marriage:
+ praise and thanks to God for his gift of love.
+ petition to God for blessings on the couple about to share their life and love.
+ recognition and expression of marriage as a sign to the whole community that God loves us.
+ pledge of the community’s support to the newly married couple in their vocation.
+ the importance of God-centered, Christ-centered life.
+ the celebration of love which finds its foundation in God’s love shown to us through Jesus.
The Church believes Marriage is a life-long commitment, deserving of reflection and prayer. Therefore, couples are asked to consider the following guidelines when preparing for marriage.
PREPARING FOR YOUR MARRIAGE
Contact the church office (970-247-0044) 6-9 months prior to your intended wedding date. A three month minimum expedited option may be available at the Pastor's discretion on a case-by-case basis. Interfaith couples may marry in the Church. A dispensation from the bishop’s office needs to be obtained under the guidance of the pastor.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation celebrates and reminds us of God’s mercy and helps us to experience divine forgiveness, to forgive ourselves, and to become reconciled with others. Currently, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Fridays from 4:30-5:30 during Adoration.
Fr. Iffiok is in the Reconciliation room in the church Fridays from 4:30 to 5:30.
No appointment is necessary.
If Fridays don't work for you, you are welcome to schedule an appointment that fits your schedule.
Call the parish office to schedule an appointment.
