On May 7, Preston High School joyfully celebrated the Sacraments of Initiation with 21 students and one staff member during a beautiful Mass led by Bishop Edmund Whalen. This mass signifies the culmination of the sacramental preparation program at Preston High School, beginning its fifth year in the coming fall.
The program is structured to allow members of the PHS community to receive any or all of the Sacraments of Initiation by participating in a sacramental prep course. Most of the participants began preparing in September, but upon sharing their excitement about the program with others, they encouraged even more to join the program. Eight students and one staff member were baptized into the Catholic Church, ten students and one staff member received their first holy communion and 21 students and one staff member were confirmed.
PHS theology teacher, campus minister and catechist for sacramental prep, Alison Pepe says, “This generation truly wants substance and something concrete to believe in, and helping them find that through Catholicism has been one of the greatest blessings in my life.” Throughout this journey, students have actively engaged in learning about each sacrament and have spent time in Preston’s chapel for prayer. Many have also been exploring their own spiritual devotions and have become more involved in the church community, particularly through lectoring during school masses.
The sacramental preparation program continues to grow in both faith and community—with this year’s group equaling the total number of participants from the past three years combined.
