Sacraments

The sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist lay the foundations of every Christian life. The grace of Christ in the sacraments bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishment of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. We receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life. (CCC, 1212)

Baptism

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. -- Matthew 28:19

Baptism is the sacrament of faith by which people accept Jesus' call to salvation and become members of the Catholic faith. The newly baptized are incorporated into Christ and the People of God. They obtain forgiveness of all their sins and become a "new creation" through water and the Holy Spirit.

Infant Baptisms:  A copy of the child's birth certificate is required.
GROUP BAPTISMS:
SACRED HEART PARISH ON THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 2PM
ST PATRICK PARISH ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 2PM
Please contact the Parish Office  to schedule a baptism  

Adult Baptisms:Please visit the page for the RCIA program.

Confirmation

You have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. -- Ephesians 1:13

Confirmation is the sacrament in which we ratify the promises made at Baptism to be committed to the Gospel of Christ and to membership in the family of God. The Holy Spirit is given to us is a very special way in Confirmation. We receive a spiritual sign or seal that makes us more like Jesus and deepens our commitment to the Church.

Confirmation is the completion of the Sacraments of Initiation and our entryway into full participation as an adult in the Church. It is an opportunity for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to make us responsible disciples and witnesses of our faith to the world.

Teenagers: Confirmation is generally received in the 10th grade upon completion of two years of preparation. Please contact the office for more information on teenage Confirmation.

Adults: Please click here for more information about our Adult Confirmation and/or RCIA process. (coming soon)

Eucharist

For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. He that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, abides in me, and I in him -- John 6:56-57

Jesus was born into our world as the word made flesh to live among us as God's loving presence. God's love sent us his only-begotten Son into this world of sinners to redeem us by his ultimate gift of love -- the sacrifice of his own life for our redemption. On the night before he died for the redemption of our sins, he shared bread and wine with his disciples, changing the bread and wine into his own body and blood.

Each time we participate in the Eucharistic sacrifice, we ourselves become transformed and better able to be moral and spiritual witnesses to the world.

We experience the fullness of the Eucharist by our active participation at Liturgy (Mass) and the reception of Communion in the bread, in the wine or in both species. We believe in the "real presence" of Jesus Christ in Communion; in fact, we call it the "Blessed Sacrament." The Real Presence may be worshipped at Eucharistic Adoration on Monday and Friday mornings from 8 to 9 am.

Children: First Holy Communion is generally received in the 2nd grade upon completion of two years of preparation.

Adults: Please click here for more information about our RCIA process. (coming soon)

The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.. (CCC, 1421)

Reconciliation (Confession, Penance)

Come now, let us talk this over, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. -- Isaiah 1:18

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a sign of Jesus' unconditional love, mercy and forgiveness. Jesus offers his healing power to each and every one of us. When we confess our sins we are exercising the gift of our free will – choosing to turn to God, admit our wrongs, ask forgiveness and have our relationship restored (reconciled). Through God's forgiveness, God touches us in a powerful way, showing us mercy and love. This healing love helps us to grow and become sharers in the ministry of reconciliation. Reconciliation is a reminder to all of us that God loves us no matter what.

First Reconciliation for children is generally received in the 2nd grade upon completion of two years of preparation. Please visit our Religious Education program for more information.

Schedule: Confession is available at Saint Patrick Church before the Vigil mass on Saturday, 3:00-3:45pm and by appointment.

Anointing of the Sick

Are there any sick among you? They should ask for the presbyters of the church. They in turn are to pray over them, anointing them with the oil in the name of the Lord and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. - James 5:14-15

In this sacrament a priest anoints the sick with blessed oil to give strength, hope and healing. Those anointed receive the grace of the Holy Spirit, are embraced by God's love, and strengthened spiritually and physically to trust in God's mercy in their illness or infirmity. The sacrament is offered to those who are:

• facing major surgery
• diagnosed with a serious or terminal illness
• frail at any age, especially the elderly
• at the end time of their lives
• in acute care in a hospital setting
• has had a significant change in health since their last anointing

Typically, we offer a special Mass for the Sick in the fall. Anointing of the Sick is available at this Mass.

The sick person or a caregiver can request individual anointing at other times. If you know of someone who is preparing for surgery, is suffering from a serious illness, or fragile, encourage them to call the Collaboartive Office so that the sacrament can be offered to them.

The Sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony "are directed towards the salvation of others. They serve to build up the People of God." (CCC, 1534)

Holy Orders

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of Christ's priesthood, which he bestowed upon his Apostles; thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to the Sacrament of Holy Orders as "the sacrament of apostolic ministry."

"Ordination" comes from the Latin word ordinatio, which means to incorporate someone into an order. In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a man is incorporated into the priesthood of Christ, at one of three levels: the episcopate, the priesthood, or the diaconate.

Ordination of Bishops: A bishop is a priest who is ordained to the episcopate by another bishop (in practice, by several bishops). He stands in a direct, unbroken line from the Apostles, a condition known as "apostolic succession." Ordination as a bishop confers the grace to sanctify others, as well as the authority to teach the faithful and to bind their consciences. Because of the grave nature of this responsibility, all episcopal ordinations must be approved by the Pope.

Ordination of Priests: No bishop can minister to all of the faithful in his diocese, so priests act as "co-workers of the bishops." They exercise their powers lawfully only in communion with their bishop, and so they promise obedience to their bishop at the time of their ordination. The chief duties of the priesthood are the preaching of the Gospel and the offering of the Eucharist.

Ordination of Deacons: Deacons assist priests and bishops. Deacons can be permanent or transitional (on their way to becoming a priest). The deacon can preach, baptize, assist at the altar, bless marriages, presides over funerals, and administer viaticum to the sick.

Men interested in ordination to the diaconate or priesthood, and men or women interested in religious life should speak with one of the priests or call the archdiocesan office of vocations.

Marriage/Matrimony

Matrimony is the sacrament by which a baptized man and a baptized woman bind themselves for life in a lawful marriage and receive the grace to discharge their duties. It is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God's values.
 

Marriage is more than a natural institution; it was elevated by Christ Himself, in His participation in the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11)

If you are planning a marriage, please click here for our Wedding Guide and more detailed information.