Sacraments
Our parish offers the celebration of the different Sacraments - the rich, meaningful celebrations of the different "milestones" within the Roman Catholic faith.
These resources have been compiled to deepen understanding of the Sacraments as well as share the process and preparation for those interested in participating in the different celebrations in our parish.
Baptism
Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift of grace. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace, since it is given even to the guilty.
Baptism is the first sacrament celebrated in the Catholic Church. The word baptize means ‘immerse’ which is the central action of the rite of Baptism. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the baptized have "put on Christ”.
“Go forth 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
Reconciliation
Reconciliation, also known as the sacrament of forgiveness, is an outward sign of an inward grace. The outward sign is the absolution, or forgiveness of sins, that the priest grants to the penitent (the person confessing their sins); the inward grace is the reconciliation of the penitent to God.
First Communion
First Holy Communion is the common name for a person's first reception of the sacrament of the Eucharist. At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration are the bread and wine that, by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ's Body and Blood.
Faithful to the Lord's command at the Last Supper, the Church continues to celebrate this gift of the Eucharist. It is "the source and summit of the Christian life".
Confirmation & OCIA
Confirmation is a Sacrament in the Catholic Church in which the one who is confirmed (Confirmandi) receives the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the imposition of hand and anointing with oils by the Bishop.
The Liturgy of Confirmation begins with the renewal of baptismal promises and the profession of faith. It is a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.
Adults interested in becoming Roman Catholics enroll in OCIA - Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
The sacraments of Christian initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist – lay the foundations of every Christian life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity.
Marriage
Before Jesus began His public life, He performed His first sign - at His mother's request - during a wedding feast. The Church attaches great importance to Jesus' presence at the wedding at Cana. Through His action, Jesus elevated Marriage to a sacrament of the New Law.
Christian spouses signify and partake of the mystery of that unity and fruitful love which exists between Christ and his Church.
Sacrament of the Sick
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Church believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness, the Anointing of the Sick.
It is celebrated with those Catholics who are suffering from a chronic condition detrimental to their health and well-being, for those members of the faithful who are in danger of death from sickness or old age, just prior to an operation, or for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced.
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Anointing of the Sick is not just for those near death but can be received multiple times throughout one’s life. It only takes a few moments and involves the priest placing his hands on the head of the one to be anointed as he prays for healing, and the priest anointing the forehead and hands of the sick person with the Oil which has been blessed by the Bishop during Holy Week. The oil being a visible symbol of God's healing power.
If you would like to receive this sacrament, please speak to either Fr. Nathanael or Fr. Peter after any Mass and they would be glad to anoint you, or you can call the Parish Office to make an appointment.
