Baptism

Preparation for Baptism is an exciting time for parents and sponsors. You are bringing your child into the church! From this moment on, your child will always have a Catholic family that will support them in times of need, provide them with spiritual nourishment and always be present to them.

In the case of an emergency (called “danger of death”) please call the parish office immediately and a priest or deacon can come to the hospital for an emergency baptism. There is a Rite of Reception that can be done later in the church for the ceremonial aspect, since the actual baptism can only happen once.

Every parent desiring Baptism for their child is required to attend a Baptism preparation class. Please contact Jeanette Lambrecht (jlambrecht@stme.church - 414.420.6164) for questions or details.

First Reconciliation & First Eucharist

Preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion is a two-year process typically done in 1st and 2nd grade.  

 Requirements:

1. BAPTISM

• Record of Catholic Baptism submitted to the Child Ministry office:

• If baptized at St. Eugene or St. Monica Church, email the date and location to childministry@stme.church.

• If baptized at another Catholic parish, send a copy of the Baptismal certificate to childministry@stme.church. (Let us know if you need assistance obtaining a copy.)

• Children baptized in another Christian faith, but not Catholic who wish to become Catholic should meet with the Parish Formation Team.

• Children entering 2nd grade who are NOT baptized should receive Baptism no later than September 1 of their 2nd grade year.  

2. MASS ATTENDANCE - Regular weekly Mass attendance.

3. FORMATION YEAR - Children are required to have one year of catechesis, as a foundation, prior to enrolling in the Sacraments Class. Typically that would be attending 1st grade in either a Catholic School or Sunday School program. 

If your 2nd grader or older child does not have one year of catechesis, contact Jeanette Lambrecht for information on how to prepare and register your child. We will work with you to develop a preparation plan. 

4. SACRAMENTS CLASS - Children must attend one of these options this year:

• St. Eugene School or St. Monica School

• Child Ministry Sacraments Class (Sunday morning at St. Monica) 

• Family Program (Sunday mornings at St. Eugene) with additional classes specific to the sacraments (time TBD– contact Jeanette Lambrecht for information).

5. PARISH MEMBERSHIP -  at St. Eugene or St. Monica Parish (if not parish members, contact Jeanette Lambrecht).

Important Dates: Parents may choose the First Reconciliation date and First Eucharist Mass that work best for their family. There will be a survey in January.

• First Reconciliation

  • Thursday, January 21, 2027 at 6:00 PM at St. Eugene

  • Saturday, January 23, 2027 at 10:00 AM at St. Monica

• First Eucharist Mass

  • Sunday, April 25, 2027 at 1:30 PM at St. Eugene

  • Sunday, May 2, 2027 at 1:30 PM at St. Monica

Questions may be directed to Jeanette Lambrecht, Associate Director of Child and Family Ministry at jlambrecht@stme.church or 414-420-6164.

Reconciliation

Regular Confession Offerings:

• Tuesdays 7:00-7:30 AM

• Thursdays 6:00-7:00 PM

• Saturdays 8:30 AM after 8:30 AM morning Mass

An appointment for Reconciliation can also be made with one of our priests by calling the parish office at 414-332-1576.

Eucharist

Adults should contact Joyce Swietlik, Director of Religious Education, at jswietlik@stme.church or 414-420-6164.

Homebound parishioners who would like to receive communion may have a relative pick up a pyx and booklet of prayers from the priest or pastoral associate in the sacristy before Mass. Please contact the parish office for assistance at 414-332-1576.

Confirmation

Teens can begin Sacrament preparation in the fall to be Confirmed in the spring.  The purpose of this year is to prepare teens for their own “vow,” of sorts. During the year, teens are asking questions, struggling through those questions, being given avenues to answer those questions, and hopefully, discovering what it really means to be a confirmed CATHOLIC.

What is Confirmation?  Confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists five effects of Confirmation:

• it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation [as sons of God] which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!"

• it unites us more firmly to Christ;

• it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;

• it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;

• it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.

Holy Matrimony

If you are looking to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Matrimony at our parish please contact the parish office to schedule the wedding Mass and marriage prep meetings.

Our office can be reached at at 414-332-1576 or smoffice@stme.church.

Holy Orders

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is necessary for the life of the Church. We need good men to step up and serve the Bride of Christ, the Church, as priests and permanent deacons.

Find more information about the process of becoming a priest here. You can also contact the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Fr. Michael Malucha here.

For more information on becoming a deacon (open to married men) here.

If you are a woman discerning religious life (not technically the sacrament of Holy Orders), contact the archdiocesan Vocation Promoter, Fr. John Burns at jburns@sfs.edu.

Anointing of the Sick

“When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.” ~United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

Anointing of the Sick may also be received by those undergoing invasive medical procedures. For both planned or emergency needs for Anointing of the Sick, contact the parish office.

Funerals

The Funeral Ministry offers compassion and assistance to bereaved families at their request by:

• Offering visitation assistance;

• Offering suggestions for the order of service; and

• Offering help and guidance through a grief recovery support group, for family members seeking understanding about the grief process

If you are planning the funeral of a family member or loved one here at St. Monica, please contact the parish office for assistance at 414-332-1576.