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/Reconciliation 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).

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.

The Sacrament of 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". Click here to obtain more information on First Eucharist for children.

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". Click on these links to obtain information on Adult Confirmation or Junior High Confirmation.

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". For the Confession schedule, click here.

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 received by anyone who anticipates major surgery or who has reached an advanced age.

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
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. Contact the Rectory Office six months before the proposed wedding date to make an appointment with a priest in order to complete the marriage preparation program. Click here for more information on weddings.

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 or the Jesuit Vocation Office.

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.

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). Click here for information on Christian Funerals.