Infant Baptism  
 Infant Baptisms are celebrated on the fourth Saturday of each month except during Lent. The requirements for baptism include:

• Parents must be participating registered parishioners of St. Ignatius of Antioch or participating registered parishioners in their home parish (letter from home parish pastor required).
• Must provide a copy of the birth certificate.
• At least one parent must be a fully initiated and practicing Catholic.
• Maximum of two Godparents, one male and one female, one of whom is a fully initiated and practicing Catholic.
• Parents and Godparents must attend a Baptism preparation class. 

First Eucharist and First Reconciliation
First Eucharist and First Reconciliation require two years of preparation.  The parents and parish are involved in preparing the candidate for the Sacraments.    The parish supports the families by blessing and praying for the children.  By the time they receive First Reconciliation they have learned that forgiveness is always given by God who loves us.  They also learn that the power of forgiveness leads to making peace with one another.  When they receive First Eucharist, they are aware that we receive the gift from Jesus, the Body and Blood of Christ at the Liturgy, through the prayerful action of the priest.

Confirmation
Confirmation preparation begins during the freshman year of high school. Older students may attend if they have had a lapse in their faith formation.  The Diocese requires that a student attend 72 hours of preparation. Confirmation is a two-year process of learning and service.  At this stage of their formation, the youth come to understand that they are fully initiated into the church receiving the gifts from the Holy Spirit.  These gifts are to be spent in service at home, the parish, and the wider community outside of St. Ignatius of Antioch.

Adult Confirmation        
Preparation for Adult Confirmation takes place in January and is a four week faith renewal and catechesis program.  Those who complete the process are eligible for the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Cathedral Church with the Bishop.  A baptismal certificate is required as well as having received First Eucharist.  Please contact the parish office to register for the classes.

Marriage Preparation
The Diocese of Oakland requires a minimum of six months preparation time in order to adequately prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage.  New certificates of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion are required and presented to the presiding priest or deacon at the first interview.  Spiritual preparation is provided through the Diocesan “Weekends for the Engaged” program at regular intervals.  Liturgical preparation is provided though appointments with the presiding priest or deacon.  Music is arranged through an appointment with the Parish Music Director/Organist.  The parish also has a Wedding Coordinator who conducts the wedding rehearsal, prepares the church for the liturgy on the wedding day, and cleans the church following the ceremony.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
Those adults who wish to become Roman Catholic are invited to the journey known as “The Rite for the Christian Initiation of Adults” or RCIA.  It is a process that is offered here at St. Ignatius of Antioch year-round and is marked by different stages, rites, rituals, catechesis, and prayer: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, Initiation, and Mystagogy. Those who have been baptized in other Christian denominations enter the program as “Candidates” while those seeking full initiation through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are referred to as “Catechumens.”