Baptism is the Sacrament of salvation and new birth in Christ (John 3:3-5). In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ's call to holiness. In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in His wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love. We pray the process of preparation will be an opportunity for you to renew your own faith and to get involved at St. Jerome.

Parents should be registered parishioners of St. Jerome.

Contact Vicki Stout, vstout@stjerome.org, (262) 569-3020 x1404.

The Sacrament of First Holy Communion is the Eucharist, which we receive at Holy Mass and which we believe is the real physical and spiritual presence of Jesus Christ.

As Catholics, we take Jesus at His word when He says ‘This is my body, which is given for you’ (Luke 22:19)

Our 2nd graders enter their final year of preparation for First Reconciliation (in Spring) and First Communion (after Easter) by attending weekly Sunday classes, retreats leading up to each Sacrament, along with preparation in the home. We begin preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion in our Level 1 CGS atrium, ages 3–6.

Contact Jen Meyer, Director of Children's Formation, jmeyer@stjerome.org, (262) 569-3020 x1412.

By a signing with the gift of the Spirit, Confirmation enriches the baptized with the Holy Spirit, binding them more perfectly to the Church, and strengthening them in their witness to Christ by word and deed and in their work to bring to its fullness the Body of Christ. Confirmation is conferred through anointing with chrism and the laying on of hands.

Beginning in grade 9, teens join small groups of their peers where they can grow in their Catholic faith, laying the foundation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Through dynamic presentations, large and small group discussion, service, retreats, and regular prayer, teens are equipped to become lifelong disciples of Christ and fully participate in the life and mission of the Church.

Confirmation is open to eligible teens from grades 10 through 12 who participated in at least one year of High School Discipleship and are at least 16 years old by May of their Confirmation year. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has set a minimum age of 16 for the celebration of Confirmation though teens should be involved in formation from the beginning of high school whether attending public, private, or home school.

Confirmation Details

Contact the Parish Office churchsec@stjerome.org, (262) 569-3020.

"The two shall become one” (1 Corinthians 6:16).

Sacred Scripture begins with the creation and union of man and woman and ends with "the wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:7, 9). Scripture often refers to marriage, its origin and purpose, the meaning God gave to it, and its renewal in the covenant made by Jesus with his Church. Man and woman were created for each other.

By their marriage, the couple witnesses Christ's spousal love for the Church. The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant which expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.
-(USCCB)

Please contact the Parish Office at least six months in advance to begin the Preparation for the Engaged Program.

Due to the size of our parish, at least one of the engaged (or their parents) must be a registered, active member of our parish for a minimum of six months prior to setting a wedding date.

Contact Cheryl Millot, cmillot@stjerome.org, (262) 569-3020 x1401.

St. Jerome rejoices with those who enter religious life, especially working with those pursuing the diaconate or priesthood of Christ. A priest “taken from among men, is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins” (Heb. 5:1).

Contact Fr. John Gibson, Pastor, jgibson@stjerome.org, (262) 569-3020 x1403.

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Confession), Jesus forgives sins (John 20:23) and reunites us to Himself.

Prior to receiving the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ, we must be prepared. In order to be prepared for this great feast means we must cleanse ourselves from grave sins and receive the sanctifying grace of God through the Sacrament of Healing.

Before celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, one should prepare oneself with an examination of conscience, which involves reflecting prayerfully on one’s thoughts, words, and deeds in order to identify any sins.

There are various types of examinations of conscience but regardless of which one you use to prepare yourself for the Sacrament it should be rooted in Scripture; particularly, the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes.

HERE are a few examples of Examinations of Conscience that you can use as resources to prepare for the Sacrament.

We offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation every Saturday from 2:30pm-3:30pm, Sundays at 12:00 pm (Bilingual-Spanish/English), or by appointment. Additional times may be available throughout the year. Please see the bulletin for a current schedule.

Contact Fr. John Gibson, Pastor, jgibson@stjerome.org, (262) 569-3020 x1403.

In the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment, should the Lord will it. The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.

The principle grace that we receive in the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is a strengthening of the virtue of hope in temptation of despair, even if there is no physical healing. The primary effect of the Sacrament is spiritual healing.

For an anointing or if you have any other questions, please contact Fr. John Gibson, Pastor, jgibson@stjerome.org, (262) 569-3020 x1403.

FUNERALS & PRE-PLANNING Our St. Jerome Cemetery is located at 906 South Concord in Oconomowoc and was established circa 1863. For generations, members of our parish community have been buried here as they began their journey to their final home with Our Lord. If you would like to discuss Funeral Pre-Planning, please contact the Parish Office, (262) 569-3020.

If you are interested in purchasing an in-ground plot, please contact Tim Boelter, Cemetery Sexton, tboelter@stjerome.org, 262-443-9807.

If you are interested in purchasing a niche in our columbariums, please contact Lynn Hacker, lhacker@stjerome.org, 262-569-3020 x1408.

A dynamic one-year program for adults seeking to enter full Communion with the Catholic Church, our RCIA is a welcoming program that invites all those seeking to become Catholic to learn more about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in full communion with his Church. “RCIA” stands for the “Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults” and is the process for people seeking initiation into the Catholic Church who have not yet been baptized, who have not had sufficient instruction and their First Eucharist, or practicing Christians from other denominations who have been baptized and now wish to become Catholic Christians. You may also attend the RCIA classes if you just want to know more about your Catholic faith.

Our RCIA Program is a liturgical, vibrant approach to teaching that integrates catechesis, small group discussion, prayer and community as a part of the lessons to help us learn about Jesus and fall in love with His ways.

Through a process involving several stages, adults prepare for the reception of these Sacraments at the Easter Vigil. These stages include the pre-catechumenate, when a person discerns whether he wishes to become a Catholic; the catechumenate, when a person learns about Catholic Christianity and how Catholics are called to live; the purification and enlightenment, when prayers are offered for those preparing for the Sacraments; and a period of continual growth in the Catholic faith.

Contact Fr. John Gibson, Pastor, jgibson@stjerome.org, (262) 569-3020 x1403.