Rite of Welcome

The Rite of Welcome celebrates your response to the call of sacramental preparation.  

We invite couples preparing for Marriage and families (children and their parents) preparing for Baptism, First Reconciliation/Eucharist, and Confirmation to attend the Rite of Welcome at one of the Sundays available during your time of sacramental preparation.

The Rite of Welcome takes place at the 10:30 Mass in the presence of the Christian community, which offers its love and support to you and affirms your shared commitment to our life-long journey of faith and the promise of discipleship.

The ritual is also an exchange of blessing between couples and between parents and their children. If your partner or parent is not able to attend the mass with you, please consider bringing another special person, godparent, etc. with you.  

When you come to Mass, Faith Formation and Liturgical Staff, as well as baptism preparation couples, will be greeters at all entrances, handing out crosses.  It does not matter where in the church you sit. After the greeting the priest will invite you to gather around the altar for the rite. Once the rite is finished you will return to your seats and the Mass will proceed. 

These are the coming dates for the Rite of Welcome:

If you are preparing for Marriage or Baptism, there is a preparation session to follow in the Parish Center.

Preparation for Baptism of Infants and Young Children

Please review the Baptism Information linked below. This document contains all Baptism related information including a letter from Fr. John, available dates for preparation and baptism, the registration process, and frequently asked questions. There is no COVID-related information in that document.

Some current differences include:

Rite of Welcome & Baptism Preparation Session -  The dates are listed within the  Baptism Registration Form.

We have returned to offering 4 baptism options per month:

Saturday during 4:00pm Mass (4th Sunday of the month)
Sunday during 10:30am Mass (4th Sunday of the month)
Sunday Ceremony, 12:00pm (after 10:30am Mass)

During Mass, only one baptism will be allowed. During ceremonies (not during Mass), we will have up to four families celebrate. Each family will have their own section of pews in the church. Date options and availability is kept current in the Baptism Registration Form.

If you have any questions, please contact Amelia Conte (x338, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

We look forward to celebrating with you!

pdf Baptism Information Packet March 2026 (217 KB)

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process through which those seeking to join the Catholic Church are welcomed. This process--a journey of faith that takes about a year--is intended for those who have never been baptized.

Interested individuals meet with a member of the Inquiry Team. If a person decides to continue on their journey to the Easter sacraments, they celebrate the Rite of Acceptance, becoming a catechumen. Catechumens attend Mass each week and, after the Liturgy of the Word, are dismissed to break open that Word with a companion, learning more about the Catholic faith through the Scriptures proclaimed at Mass. Accompanied by a sponsor from the parish community, and through experiences of faith sharing, prayer, service, and instruction, catechumens prepare to fully enter into the sacramental life of the Church at the Easter Vigil, celebrated the night before Easter Sunday.

Baptized Catholics who have not completed their religious education and those baptized in another Christian faith who wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church will participate in a modified version of this process.

We welcome adults who are interested in receiving the sacraments, as well as those who wish to serve on the Catechumenate Team as a sponsor, catechist, or companion for Breaking Open the Word, to contact Nancy Douglass, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 856-667-2440, x349 for more information.

First Eucharist Preparation

Children prepare to celebrate Eucharist for the first time by attending, with their parents/guardians, three events developed to assist parents in the sacrament formation process of their children, similar to preparing for 1st Reconciliation.  Families also attend a rehearsal during the days prior to the 1st Eucharist masses.  Christ Our Light celebrates 1st Eucharist on three or four dates during the Easter season, during the weekend masses.  Children are eligible to prepare for 1st Eucharist once they have completed a full year of faith formation and have celebrated 1st Reconciliation. With questions, please contact Ginny Grogan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Reconciliation

Reconciliation is offered at 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM on Saturday or any time by appointment.  You may also check the calendar for reconciliation services in Advent and Lent.

First Reconciliation Preparation

Children prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to the reception of First Eucharist.  Sacrament prep has been taken out of the class room.  At Christ Our Light this is a family centered process.  Parents and children attend two preparation events, one each in October and November.  Families have the option of celebrating 1st Reconciliation during the Christ Our Light parish Advent Reconciliation service in December, or the parish Lenten Reconciliation service during Lent.  Children are eligible to prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation once they have completed a full year of faith formation. With questions, please contact Ginny Grogan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Confirmation Preparation

This program prepares 8th grade students of the parish to receive the sacrament of Confirmation in their freshman year of high school.  Small groups meet several times throughout the spring to prepare for the sacrament. The program concludes with a Closing Retreat.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Sherine Green at 856-667-2440 x345 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you for your time and commitment to preparing for this very important Sacrament of Initiation and continuing on with your journey of faith.

Confirmation Registration - 2025

Contact Sherine Green at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to go over requirements.

Click here to register!

Confirmation Resources

We are called to lifelong formation, a relationship with God guided by the Holy Spirit in prayer and active service/ participation in faith life.  Confirmation Means Transformation of the Spirit: https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/peace-pulpit/confirmation-means-transformation-spirit

Eucharist

Mass is celebrated on Saturday at 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM and on Sunday at 7:30, 9:00, and 11:00 AM and at 7:00 PM.  Mass is also celebrated Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM.

Anointing of the Sick

You may call the office to request the Anointing of the Sick.

Marriage Preparation

Congratulations on your engagement! We look forward to celebrating with you!

To begin the marriage process at Christ Our Light, please complete the Marriage Intake Form (here) so we have your information and we will be in touch to schedule a meeting.

If you would like to tentatively schedule your date (to be confirmed with presiding clergy) or have other initial questions, please contact Amelia Conte, in the parish office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 856-667-2440 x338).

pdf Marriage Guidelines 2025 - 2026 (148 KB)

Couples preparing for marriage are invited to participate in the Marriage Mentoring process as part of their marriage preparation.  Engaged couples are paired with a marriage mentor couple, parishioners who have been married at least 10 years.  The mentor couple meets with the engaged couple to discuss life beyond the wedding day.  Topics include covenant relationship, communication, how the church views marriage, children and family life, sexuality and intimacy.  Young couples benefit from the experience of spending time with married couples who share their real life stories of what married life can be, and how a shared life of faith makes a difference in everyday living as a family.