Sacraments

Baptism

Baptism makes one a member of the body of Christ and incorporates one into the Church, sharing in its mission. The principal effects of Baptism are purification from sins and a new birth in the Holy Spirit. The Catholic Church baptizes all ages. For infants the Church requires formation and catechesis for parents in preparation for the baptism of their children. Adolescents and adults are prepared for Baptism through a process called the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation). Please call the Church office if you or your child needs to be baptized or i.f you have questions

 

Reconciliation

The Rite of Reconciliation, often called “confession” is the sacrament in which Christ forgives our sins and reconciles us to our fellow Christians. It is celebrated by the penitent expressing his or her sorrow by acknowledging his or her sins and the priest’s words of forgiveness granting absolution in Christ’s name. The Rite of Reconciliation can be celebrated any time, please call the Church office for an appointment or refer to the weekly bulletin for a scheduled time.

 

Eucharist

Christ’s presence among us in the Eucharist (Holy Communion) has always been a key teaching of the Catholic faith. Through bread and wine Christ becomes present in the Eucharistic celebration; somehow Christ himself is now truly present under this form of food as St. Paul says succinctly. (1 Corinthians 11, 27-30) Usually First Eucharist is celebrated in the second grade, and is also part of our RCIA instructions. Call the Church office if you have questions surrounding the sacrament of Holy Communion.

 

Confirmation

Confirmation is the completion of baptism, the giving of the full power of a Christian. “Confirmation” means a strengthening — this sacrament strengthens and increases what we receive at baptism, particularly the power of bearing witness to Christ. To emphasize this, the ceremony of Confirmation includes a renewal of our baptismal promises. We now become full-fledged members of the Church, lay apostles in the fullest sense. The age for celebrating Confirmation in our parish is the 7th, 8th and 9th grade. Classes are provided. The bishop normally confirms these young people in a special ceremony. Please call the Church office if you need to be confirmed or have questions.

 

Marriage

Marriage is the sacrament by which Christ joins a Christian man and woman in a grace-giving, lifelong union. Thus any two baptized people capable of marriage, when they are freely and legally married thereby receive the sacrament of marriage. Christ joins them together. The couple gives the sacrament of marriage, to each other in what is probably the most important exercise of their priesthood. As the ordained priest is Christ’s instrument in bringing about the Eucharist or in giving Christ’s forgiveness in confession, so the husband gives this sacrament to his wife, and she to him. Any Catholic young adult (18 years and older) is able to get married in the Catholic Church.

 

If a person is divorced and wants to marry or remarry in the Catholic Church they can “petition” to be free to marry. Four to six month of preparation is required before the marriage of a Catholic. These preparations include participation in the Archdiocesan Marriage Preparation Program that is required. The annulment of a marriage may be sought by contacting the pastor. Please call the Church office if you have any questions, or wish to discuss further.

 

Holy Orders

Men become priests today as always — by the sacrament of holy orders — the laying on of the bishop’s hands and prayer. Through this sacrament Christ changes the man interiorly, giving him the powers of the priesthood. There are different orders or degrees in the priesthood: a deacon, a priest, and a bishop. Some men choose to remain a “permanent” deacon. If this is the case, a deacon is able to be married. Priests and bishops are not married, although there are some priests who are ministers from another faith tradition who join the Catholic Church and want to serve as a priest. If you have any questions or interested in the priesthood please contact Fr. Bill Porter

 

Anointing of the Sick

In the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, Christ uses the anointing and prayers of the priest to give comfort and strength to the soul and to the body of one seriously ill. We meet Christ here to receive his healing comfort, strength, and pardon. Anyone who is seriously ill, mentally or physically, may take part in it — or a condition which is so serious as to demand surgery with a general anesthetic or even one who is weak from old age. Don’t be afraid to call for the Pastor to minister this sacrament at every serious change in your condition.