Sacramental preparation helps us understand the beauty behind the sacraments and why we need them. Are you ready to take the next step in your Christian journey to worship God in Spirit and Truth? Interested in becoming Catholic?
Click on a sacrament below to learn more!
Click on a sacrament below to learn more!
Please note that St Thomas More Catholic Campus Ministry does not offer reconciliation or first communion classes for children. Parents are directed to check with other local parishes for sacramental preparation. We apologize for the inconvenience!
Infant baptism
Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit…and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as [children] of God, we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission. Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and the word. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 1, Article 1.)
How do I get my child baptized at the Newman Center?
Because the Church recommends that the baptism take place shortly after the birth of a baby, parents are encouraged to register for infant Baptism preparation via the form below during pregnancy. We encourage parents to sign up at least three months before the desired baptism date.
Who can register?
Families who are registered parishioners, facility, staff or students at the University of Oregon, Bushnell University, or Lane community college may inquire about baptizing their children at the Newman Center. Baptism is available for children ages 6 and younger. Adults seeking baptism should visit the RCIA dropdown folder.
How do I register?
Please fill out the Baptism registration form using the link below. Afterward, you will be contacted to schedule a Baptism preparation meeting.
How do I get my child baptized at the Newman Center?
Because the Church recommends that the baptism take place shortly after the birth of a baby, parents are encouraged to register for infant Baptism preparation via the form below during pregnancy. We encourage parents to sign up at least three months before the desired baptism date.
Who can register?
Families who are registered parishioners, facility, staff or students at the University of Oregon, Bushnell University, or Lane community college may inquire about baptizing their children at the Newman Center. Baptism is available for children ages 6 and younger. Adults seeking baptism should visit the RCIA dropdown folder.
How do I register?
Please fill out the Baptism registration form using the link below. Afterward, you will be contacted to schedule a Baptism preparation meeting.
confirmation
What is Confirmation?
Like Baptism and Eucharist, Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation of the Church. Baptism is the beginning of new life in Christ, but Confirmation strengthens that life. The sacrament of Confirmation “perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to… incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1316).
Who is Eligible?
A yearly Confirmation program at the Newman Center is directed toward college-age students and college-age adults who have been baptized and received first communion in the Catholic Church.
Confirmation preparation is also for children in 8th grade through high school whose families have been registered at the Newman Center for at least six months. Registration for children whose parents are students or employees of the University of Oregon or Lane Community College is offered in conjunction with St. Paul Catholic Church, which offer comprehensive youth ministry and Confirmation programs staffed by trained youth ministry staff. Please contact St. Paul Catholic Church in early September to register your child. Registration is also available at St. Mary Catholic Church.
When is Confirmation Offered?
College students who are interested in being confirmed are invited to make a commitment to the preparation program. The candidate completes five months of classes in preparation for the Sacrament. The rite of confirmation is celebrated with the local bishop sometime in the late spring after Easter.
Like Baptism and Eucharist, Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation of the Church. Baptism is the beginning of new life in Christ, but Confirmation strengthens that life. The sacrament of Confirmation “perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to… incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1316).
Who is Eligible?
A yearly Confirmation program at the Newman Center is directed toward college-age students and college-age adults who have been baptized and received first communion in the Catholic Church.
Confirmation preparation is also for children in 8th grade through high school whose families have been registered at the Newman Center for at least six months. Registration for children whose parents are students or employees of the University of Oregon or Lane Community College is offered in conjunction with St. Paul Catholic Church, which offer comprehensive youth ministry and Confirmation programs staffed by trained youth ministry staff. Please contact St. Paul Catholic Church in early September to register your child. Registration is also available at St. Mary Catholic Church.
When is Confirmation Offered?
College students who are interested in being confirmed are invited to make a commitment to the preparation program. The candidate completes five months of classes in preparation for the Sacrament. The rite of confirmation is celebrated with the local bishop sometime in the late spring after Easter.
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How do I Register?
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marriage
Congratulations on your engagement!
When both spouses are baptized, they mutually confer upon each other the sacrament of Matrimony by expressing their consent before the Church. The Church in Western Oregon requires that couples take at least six months to prepare for their lifelong journey as a married couple. This period allows them to grow in an understanding of what they are undertaking through careful discussions with a minister of the church and other married couples.
Who is Eligible?
A couple is eligible for marriage preparation through St. Thomas More University Parish if at least one fiancé is Catholic
and is either (1) a registered & active member of the Newman Center, or (2) a student, faculty, or employee of the University of Oregon. If you are not eligible, please first contact the local Catholic parish in which you reside.
What is the Preparation Process?
Here is a general overview of the preparation process.
1) Marriage preparation begins with making an appointment to meet with a priest. This first appointment should be made at least six months before you plan to get married. Together, a review of the sacrament, paperwork, and a FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study) inventory will be conducted. The initial meeting generally takes about one hour. Please don’t put down deposits on reception venues until you have met with a priest to establish the date of your marriage.
2) The engaged couple will meet with the Priest to review their FOCCUS results to open dialogue on areas of agreement and disagreement surrounding many different aspects of the married life.
3) Attend the Engaged Encounter Weekend Retreat with the Archdiocese of Portland, or another approved marriage preparation retreat.
4) The Wedding Coordinator will meet with the couple to plan the actual wedding ceremony and other details of the wedding day.
How do I Begin the Process?
When both spouses are baptized, they mutually confer upon each other the sacrament of Matrimony by expressing their consent before the Church. The Church in Western Oregon requires that couples take at least six months to prepare for their lifelong journey as a married couple. This period allows them to grow in an understanding of what they are undertaking through careful discussions with a minister of the church and other married couples.
Who is Eligible?
A couple is eligible for marriage preparation through St. Thomas More University Parish if at least one fiancé is Catholic
and is either (1) a registered & active member of the Newman Center, or (2) a student, faculty, or employee of the University of Oregon. If you are not eligible, please first contact the local Catholic parish in which you reside.
What is the Preparation Process?
Here is a general overview of the preparation process.
1) Marriage preparation begins with making an appointment to meet with a priest. This first appointment should be made at least six months before you plan to get married. Together, a review of the sacrament, paperwork, and a FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study) inventory will be conducted. The initial meeting generally takes about one hour. Please don’t put down deposits on reception venues until you have met with a priest to establish the date of your marriage.
2) The engaged couple will meet with the Priest to review their FOCCUS results to open dialogue on areas of agreement and disagreement surrounding many different aspects of the married life.
3) Attend the Engaged Encounter Weekend Retreat with the Archdiocese of Portland, or another approved marriage preparation retreat.
4) The Wedding Coordinator will meet with the couple to plan the actual wedding ceremony and other details of the wedding day.
How do I Begin the Process?
Other Resources: Natural Family Planning
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an incredible resource for married couples, especially Catholics. Natural Family Planning International has been teaching NFP for over 48 years. The course includes instruction on the Covenant Theology of Marriage, Ecological Breastfeeding, Sympto-Thermal charting, and Christian prudence.
An email from one of their recent students wrote: "We truly knew nothing about natural family planning before this manual and these tests. Even though I consider myself a practicing Catholic, I was completely unaware of the church’s viewpoints on natural family planning matters beside abstinence. After this course, we have gained knowledge on options available for family planning."
Other Resources: Natural Family Planning
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an incredible resource for married couples, especially Catholics. Natural Family Planning International has been teaching NFP for over 48 years. The course includes instruction on the Covenant Theology of Marriage, Ecological Breastfeeding, Sympto-Thermal charting, and Christian prudence.
An email from one of their recent students wrote: "We truly knew nothing about natural family planning before this manual and these tests. Even though I consider myself a practicing Catholic, I was completely unaware of the church’s viewpoints on natural family planning matters beside abstinence. After this course, we have gained knowledge on options available for family planning."
RCIA
Interested in becoming Catholic? Consider RCIA! The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) at St. Thomas More offers a casual and conversational environment for people exploring the Catholic faith or who have been baptized Catholic but have not received the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist. This is an accessible and welcoming way to take a look at the bigger picture about God, Jesus, the Bible, and the Catholic faith.
We welcome all who are interested in joining us! There is no pressure to become Catholic; we want to talk with you and help you answer questions. We meet on Sunday evenings starting in October in St. Dominic's Room at the Newman Center. For more information and/or to register, please use the link below.
We welcome all who are interested in joining us! There is no pressure to become Catholic; we want to talk with you and help you answer questions. We meet on Sunday evenings starting in October in St. Dominic's Room at the Newman Center. For more information and/or to register, please use the link below.