According to Catechism of the Catholic Church, "the sacraments are outward signs of an invisible reality,", namely, Christ within us. They are expressions of our faith, made present to us in tangible ways. The symbol becomes reality, cracked open for us! Recall, if you will key moments in your life, the birth of a child, the death of a parent. These are liminal experiences. The first solo bike ride, a special trip. Through the wonder of photography, that moment is captured forever on film, almost as if it occurred recently. These life-events are images of God’s life in us. The word sacrament translates as a "sacred sign" or symbol. The sacraments throw forth the presence of God in a special way. They are a free gift of God to us. There are seven manifestations of God’s love for us as members of the Church, the body of Christ. These are Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing.

What follows is a synopsis of each and our Parish Policy regarding reception of these sacraments:

BAPTISM: The door to all other sacraments. Baptism achieves three goals, it makes us children of God, members of the Church and restores us to wholeness (removes original sin).

Baptism is celebrated on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at 1:30 P.M. in the Church. Sponsors must have received all three sacraments of initiation, namely, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Persons seeking to be godparents must be a practicing Catholic and if married, in a regular marriage. They must also obtain a letter of recommendation from their own parish. Please contact the rectory for details.

EUCHARIST: Began with the Last Supper shared in memory of Our Lord (c.f. 1 Cor 11:17-34). As the Church grew, the meal was simplified. People came together in small house churches to share the eucharistic bread and wine, they added Scripture readings and preaching in instruct one another in the faith. Today the Mass brings us together as a parish community and we remember, we celebrate and believe in the presence of Christ among us.

Preparation for first Eucharist begins when a child enters third grade. Parents are required to attend information sessions held during the year. Masses (teachable moments) are held in the homes of parishioners and the sacrament is celebrated during the Easter season within the context of a parish liturgy. Sacraments are to be celebrated within and among the believing community. Questions regarding policy should be referred to the Director of Religious Education at 683-8564.

CONFIRMATION: At Baptism, each of us was imbued with the threefold ministry of Christ, as priest, prophet and King. The initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit was received at that moment. Confirmation enables us to live faithfully, our Christian calling. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to the disciples (c.f. John 14:15-26). Confirmation is also recorded for us in the early Church by the laying on of hands and later with anointing on the forehead. Gifts which lay dormant since baptism are now unsealed and flow freely from an adult commitment to the service of Christ, one another and the Church. Empowered by the Spirit of God, we are called to ministry.

Full initiation into the Catholic Church is completed with this sacrament. Teens and adults who have completed at least two years of High School Religious Education are enrolled in an eight week confirmation program which included service components and a retreat experience. Some adults may wish to consider RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) as an option. Both of these programs meet in the Fall. For further information, contact either the Parish Religious Education Office @683-8564 or the Rectory (RCIA) @683-6445.

PENANCE: (Confession/Reconciliation) Throughout the Gospels, our Lord goes about forgiving the sins of others and calls us to do the same. In the early Church, Christians did this for and with one another by seeking God’s forgiveness. Years went by before the Church established a more formal practice of confession. This is a sacrament which expresses the compassion and healing presence of God. It is a sign that the Church is a reconciling community where the spirit of forgiveness is shared and expressed

Children are prepared for the reception of this sacrament in the second grade. Parents are encouraged to attended a meeting which provides an overview of the sacrament dealing with theology and praxis, or why we do what we do. The sacrament of God’s healing mercy is offered each Saturday in Church from 3:00 - 3:45PM. Parish communal reconciliation is offered several times throughout the year.

ANOINTING: Closely related to the sacrament of Penance, is that of anointing. This sacrament more fully expresses the Church’s healing ministry. Caring for the sick is done by each of us at one point or another in our lives. Sick relatives and friends are visited in the hospital or home and prayed for and with. The sacramental rite of anointing is celebrated in community, where people gather to experience God’s healing love. Those who are anticipating surgery, the elderly, the mentally ill, persons who need the strength of God’s healing presence, all of these are candidates for holy anointing. Of course, anyone who is seriously ill or in danger of death may be anointed.

Parish anointings are offered each Thursday during or after the NOON Mass. Additionally, at various times throughout the year a communal celebration of the sacrament is offered. Please contact the rectory immediately in case of emergency.

MARRIAGE: Marriage is the sacrament which joins two people together in a special bond of love. The marriage of two people symbolizes the love of Christ and the Church. Marriage was received from our Lord(c.f. Mk 10:1-12) and carried on in the Tradition of the Church by the Apostles (c.f. Eph 5:21-22) Marriage is forever, it constitutes a permanent, eternal covenant, between the couple and God, simply put, it is forever!

MARRIAGE POLICY: Before a wedding date is set, the engaged couple must contact the rectory a minimum of six months in advance. Attendance at an approved Diocesan marriage program is a prerequisite. Our parish offers, Before Cana (BC) and this may be scheduled through the rectory office. No wedding may be scheduled later the 1:30 PM on Saturday.

HOLY ORDERS: "Where do you live, the diciples asked Jesus?" "Come and see," he replied. The ordained priesthood is a call to follow Christ in a particular way, unique from the call of the baptized. Deacons, priests, and bishops, share in Holy Orders. They preach the Word of God, administer the sacraments and teach in the name of God and the Church. They are called to a life of servant- leadership. Follow, me! Priesthood entails a life of service, dedicated to the needs of all.