Sacramental Preparation The Latin word sacramentum means "a sign of the sacred." The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence. That's what theologians mean when they say that sacraments are at the same time signs and instruments of God's grace. The sacraments are divided into: the sacraments of Christian initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist); the sacraments of healing (Penance and Anointing of the Sick);, and the sacraments at the service of communion and mission (Holy Orders and Matrimony). The sacraments touch all the important moments of Christian life. All of the sacraments are ordered to the Holy Eucharist “as to their end” (Saint Thomas Aquinas)..
The Sacraments of Christian initiation Christian initiation is accomplished by means of the sacraments which establish the foundations of Christian life. The faithful born anew by Baptism are strengthened by Confirmation and are then nourished by the Eucharist.
The Sacrament of Baptism	For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God. "Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to 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" Those seeking Baptism for their children are asked to participate in preparation sessions that explore the meaning and responsibility of the sacrament to be celebrated. Baptism Classes are held on Sundays after the 8:00am Mass. Call the Rectory to book a Sunday. After the classes are complete, call the Rectory to schedule the Baptism.
The Sacrament of the Eucharist	Catholics believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. As we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God. "The Eucharist is 'the source and summit of the Christian life.' 'The other sacraments are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself" Children preparing for their first Reconciliation and Eucharist must be baptized Catholic. Sacramental preparation is a two-year process, beginning in the first grade. The celebrations of the sacraments occur in second grade. The same preparation process is provided to children in the Faith Development program and the parish parochial school.
The Sacrament of Confirmation	Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. Like Baptism and Eucharist, it is a Sacrament of Initiation for Catholics and a Sacrament of faith in God's fidelity to us. "Confirmation is a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit like that of Pentecost. This outpouring impresses upon the soul an indelible character and produces a growth in the grace of Baptism. It roots us more deeply in divine kinship, binds us more firmly to Christ and to the Church, and reinvigorates the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our soul" . The two-year preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is normally begun in high school. During the second year, in addition to regular formation sessions, those preparing for Confirmation participate in monthly sessions with their sponsor, complete a service project, and take part in a retreat.
The Sacraments of Healing Christ, the physician of our soul and body, instituted these sacraments because the new life that he gives us in the sacraments of Christian initiation can be weakened and even lost because of sin. Therefore, Christ willed that his Church should continue his work of healing and salvation by means of these two sacraments.
The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation	The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as the Sacrament of Penance, or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness, and as a result we are called to forgive others. The Sacrament of Penance brings about "reconciliation with God and therefore the forgiveness of sins; reconciliation with the Church...peace, serenity of conscience and spiritual consolation; and an increase of spiritual strength for the struggle of Christian living". Individuals may celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on all Saturday afternoons between the hours of 4:30-5:15 p.m. and by appointment.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick	The Catholic sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction, is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical but also for mental and spiritual sickness. This sacrament of healing is an extension of Jesus' healing of the sick and is given for those who face serious illness of any kind: physical, mental, psychological, etc. It may be celebrated by anyone who anticipates major surgery or who has reached an advanced age. Those who seek this sacrament should call one of the parish priests to arrange a time, especially if one is hospitalized for a serious condition.
The Sacraments at the Service of Communion and Mission Two sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, confer a special grace for a particular mission in the Church to serve and build up the People of God. These sacraments contribute in a special way to ecclesial communion and to the salvation of others.
The Sacrament of Matrimony	Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. Like Baptism and Eucharist, it is a Sacrament of Initiation for Catholics and a Sacrament of faith in God's fidelity to us. Catholics understand sacramental marriage as a covenant between a husband and wife into which they invite God as a constitutive person. A wedding is a celebration which establishes this three-way bond. The pastor should be contacted six months before the proposed wedding date in order that adequate time may be scheduled to complete the marriage preparation program.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders	In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness. If you are interested in and feel that God may be calling you to become a priest or deacon in consecrated service to God's people, contact please visit the Diocesan Vocations Office.
Other Liturgical Celebrations
The Sacramentals	These are sacred signs instituted by the Church to sanctify different circumstances of life. They include a prayer accompanied by the sign of the cross and other signs. Among the sacramentals which occupy an important place are: blessings, which are the praise of God and a prayer to obtain his gifts, the consecration of persons and the dedication of things for the worship of God.
Popular Piety	The religious sense of the Christian people has always found expression in the various forms of piety which accompany the sacramental life of the Church such as the veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, pilgrimages, processions, the stations of the cross and the rosary. The Church sheds the light of faith upon and fosters authentic forms of popular piety.
Christian Funerals	The Christian who dies in Christ reaches at the end of his earthly existence the fulfillment of that new life which was begun in Baptism, strengthened in Confirmation, and nourished in the Eucharist, the foretaste of the heavenly banquet. The meaning of the death of a Christian becomes clear in the light of the death and Resurrection of Christ our only hope. The Christian who dies in Christ Jesus goes “away from the body to be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Exorcism	When the Church asks with its authority in the name of Jesus that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called an exorcism. This is done in ordinary form in the rite of Baptism. A solemn exorcism, called a major exorcism, can be performed only by a priest authorized by the bishop.
Catechism of the Catholic Church The Second Edition English Translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church includes the corrections promulgated by Pope John Paul II on 8 September 1997. These corrections to the English text of the Catechism of the Catholic Church were made to harmonize it with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul II on the same date. For details of the corrections, see the editio typica modifications to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.