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About Our Accompaniment Model /
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A New Direction for Sacramental PreparationBeginning Fall 2026 / A partir del otoño de 2026
About Our Accompaniment Model
At Immaculate Heart of Mary, we believe that the journey toward the Sacraments is exactly that — a journey. Not a checklist, not a classroom requirement, but a genuine movement of the heart toward Jesus, made alongside people who know and care for your family.
Beginning in the fall of 2026, our Sacramental Preparation program is transitioning to an Intentional Accompaniment model. This is an exciting development for our parish — and we want families to understand what it means, what to expect, and how we are planning for the transition.
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What Is Intentional Accompaniment?
Intentional Accompaniment (IA) is a framework recognized across the broader Church that aims to connect people into genuine human relationships directed toward Jesus. It recognizes the unique dignity of each person and family, and understands that movement toward Jesus follows a predictable path — one that is best traveled with others who are further along the way.
At IHM, Intentional Accompaniment means that every family entering Year One of Sacramental Preparation will be connected with a trained Guide — a parishioner equipped to walk with your family throughout the two-year preparation process.
Learn more about Intentional Accompaniment
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What Does This Look Like in Practice?
IHM has recruited and equipped 18 Guides for the 2026–2027 program year. Each Guide is paired with a small Guide Group of no more than three families, allowing for authentic and genuine relationship to develop over time.
Guide Groups meet alongside the regular program structure — classes, retreats, and formation offerings continue as before. The Guides layer a relational dimension onto the existing program, accompanying families not just through lessons and requirements, but through the broader journey of preparation.
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Why Is Enrollment Limited?
Because each Guide accompanies no more than three families, the accompaniment model requires that enrollment be proportional to the number of Guides available. For the 2026–2027 program year, enrollment in the In-Person Classroom and At-Home/Online programs combined is limited to 54 families for Year One.
This limit is a direct expression of our commitment to depth over volume. Every family who enrolls in these programs will have a Guide walking with them. That is only possible if enrollment remains within the capacity our Guides can genuinely serve.
We anticipate growing the program — and our Guide community — in future years.
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Priority Registration for Families Attending Mass at IHM
General registration opens August 1.
Before general registration opens, IHM will host a priority registration weekend for families attending Mass at our parish. Families present at Mass that weekend will have access to a QR code to register one week early — before spots open to the general public.
There is no formal verification process — if your family is at Mass, you are welcome to register early. It is that simple.
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What If Enrollment Reaches Capacity?
If the 54-family limit is reached before your family is able to register, there are two paths forward:
Wait for next year. Spots in the In-Person and At-Home/Online programs will open again on August 1, 2027. Families who are not yet in 5th grade will be eligible to enroll at that time.
Enroll in the Home-Based Program. The Home-Based Program is open year-round, has no enrollment cap, and follows the same Year One/Year Two structure as the other formats. Families in the Home-Based Program receive accompaniment in a different format — through the Discovery Small Group/Alpha and program director support — and may transfer into the In-Person or At-Home/Online program in a future year if space is available.
The Home-Based Program is a complete and meaningful path to the Sacraments. We encourage families considering it to reach out to Kit with any questions.
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Questions? / ¿Preguntas?We know this transition raises questions, and we want to answer them. Reach out to Kit directly or visit the Sacramental Preparation page for full program details. / /
Back to Sacramental Preparation / Volver a Preparación Sacramental
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Kit Sanderskitsihmco.orgDirector of Children's Faith Formation -
Lizeth Carolina Gutierrez Morenolizethgihmco.orgChildren's Faith Formation Assistant (habla español)
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