If you are interested in learning more about your child Becoming Catholic, please read through the information below. Children who are at least 7 years old and in grades 1st - 12th grade and have not been baptized or were baptized in another faith are elligible to become Catholic in this program. In accordance with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, St. Anthony's prepares children over two years.

The first year, the child must regularly attend a Faith Formation class corresponding to their grade level. Children should also attend Mass weekly with their families. If your child has not received any formation up to this point, begin by enrolling them in a year of Faith Formation during open registration in the fall from August 1st to August 31st. Visit ap.church/registration.

The second year, the child must regularly attend the "Becoming Catholic" program. Children should also attend Mass weekly with their families. Enrolled children and teens who haven’t been baptized in any faith will receive Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation during the Easter Vigil Mass. Children and teens who were baptized in a faith other than Catholic will make a Profession of Faith, and receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation during the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass. Child and parent(s) will meet with program administrators before beginning the second year to ensure readiness for this program.

7 Years to 8th Grade

OCIA for Children participants attend faith formation as they did in the first year of preparation, and then meet once a month for sacrament-specific formation.

• YEAR 1 : Child will attend weekly Faith Formation classes. Open registration is in the fall from August 1st to August 31st. Elementary sessions are offered on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays for 2nd-5th grades. Intermediate/Junior High session time is Sunday afternoon for 6th-8th grades. Visit ap.church/registration for more information and to sign up.
  

• YEAR 2 : For children who are determined ready to continue, the second year consists of the following components for the family to attend.

  • OCIA participants and their families will sit together at the 9:00AM Mass on Sundays.

  • During Mass, children are dismissed after the homily (around 9:30AM) for Breaking Open the Word (BOW).

  • After Mass/Breaking Open the Word, children attend a weekly session until 11:15AM.

  • Parents join the children at once-a-month sessions after attending the 9AM Mass.

  • Parents and children attend once-a-month Sacrament Preparation sessions on a selected Tuesday or Wednesday evening.

9th to 12th Grade

High school-aged children will participate in Youth Ministry programs for 2 years. The second year of formation will take place on Wednesday nights as a part of the Teen Confirmation Program, which meets on Wednesday Nights, instead of the Sunday morning classes.

• YEAR 1: Teen will attend weekly Faith Formation classes. Open registration is in the fall from August 1st to August 31st. Life Teen sessions are offered on Sunday evenings only from 7:30 to 9:00PM only. Visit stanthonyym.org/confirmationyear1 for more information.

• YEAR 2: High school aged children will participate in Youth Ministry programs for 2 years. The second year of formation will take place on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30PM as a part of the Teen Confirmation Program. Visit stanthonyym.org/confirmationyear2 for more information.