Wedding, Baptism & Sacramental Preparation

Fr. Tom works with families to prepare for the sacred milestones of Orthodox life, ensuring proper preparation for marriage, baptism, chrismation, and other sacraments. This comprehensive ministry includes pre-marital counseling, baptismal preparation, adult catechumen spiritual formation, and first confession preparation.

Pre-marital counseling sessions cover Orthodox understanding of marriage, practical relationship skills, and wedding liturgy preparation. Baptismal preparation involves instruction for parents and godparents on the meaning of the sacrament and responsibilities of Orthodox parenting. Adult spiritual formation Alongside the formal catechumen instruction in the "Orthodoxy 101" series, includes comprehensive instruction in Orthodox theology, history, and practice leading to baptism and/or chrismation. For adults seeking to convert, a minimum one-year preparation through catechism is required.

The ministry conducts counseling sessions and educational meetings with couples and families, provides instructional materials and reading lists, coordinates with other parish ministries for proper liturgical preparation, schedules and oversees sacramental services, and ensures all canonical and practical requirements are met. The ministry also provides guidance on selecting appropriate godparents, choosing Orthodox names, and understanding the ongoing responsibilities that come with each sacrament.