Sacraments
Baptism
In the Catholic Church, parents baptize their children into the faith they actively practice. Baptism is a gift. They need, as we all do, faithful members of the Church to inspire and guide them in the faith.
Please follow the appropriate guidelines to planning your child's baptism:
Make Contact
To have your child baptized, contact your parish office. Someone from the parish will contact you to arrange a time to meet and fill out the baptism form.
Learn the Requirements
Choosing a Godparent is a noble task. They are to be at least 16 years of age and be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the – Sacrament of the Eucharist. They should lead a life in harmony with the faith. They are not to be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared (i.e.: divorced and remarried and no annulment received), nor can they be the Father or Mother of the one to be baptized. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community can be a witness, but not a Godparent.
Schedule the Baptism
Baptisms can be scheduled during or after most weekend Masses (Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings). Generally, whoever the priest or deacon is for the Mass will administer the Baptism, unless otherwise specified.
First Penance
The Sacrament of Penance is God’s gift to us, so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven.
In confession, we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God.
First Penance (First Confession) (First Reconciliation) is one of the two Sacraments of Healing in the Church. It allows us to more fully experience the Lord's love and mercy, heals our wounded hearts and strengthens us with special divine graces.
First Penance Parent Meeting
This will take place at your parish. Timing and details will be communicated by your child's teacher. It serves as a wonderful review for adults and allows them to re-explore the experience of divine mercy in the sacramental life of the Church.
Customarily, this sacrament is first received in preparation for First Holy Communion, which is presently during the 2nd Grade. Please see the First Communion section for more details on that life-giving sacrament. If your child is older than 2nd grade, please contact our parish office for assistance.
First Communion
Jesus gives himself to us, body, soul and divinity, in the Eucharist as spiritual nourishment, because he loves us dearly. By consuming the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, we become united to the person of Christ through his humanity.
Please follow the appropriate guidelines for First Communion:
Sign up for a First Communion Class (2nd grade)
These classes take place in any of our parishes. If your child is older than 2nd grade, please contact the pastorate office.
Attend a First Communion Parent Meeting
This will take place at your parish, timing and details will be communicated by your child’s teacher.
Complete Meetings, Class and Child Readiness Materials
During the parent meeting, you may receive materials to complete with your child. Please complete them in a timely manner. Child readiness includes completing class material, and preparing/practicing the actions of your child for First Reconciliation and First Communion.
Retreats and Rehearsal
Participate in the scheduled retreats, rehearsals, and Sacrament events
throughout the year!
First Communion Mass
First Communion Mass will be scheduled pending Father's schedule, other pastorate parish Masses, and discussion with the parents.
Confirmation
The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus and His mission occurred in communion with the Spirit. Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, communities, and worldwide.
Presently, students desiring to be Confirmed are called Candidates. They are offered the grace-filled opportunity to be confirmed by our bishop during their Sophomore year. The process is generally a 1-2 year program which allows our candidates to explore and deepen their desire to be Confirmed.
As they move forward, candidates choose a saint for their Confirmation name. They also select a Sponsor to prayerfully accompany their faith journey. They also learn new ways to serve others and experience the blessing of a formal retreat.
As the reception of the sacrament draws near, Candidates are usually joined by their parents and sponsors for an informational meeting and meal, where they have an opportunity to share their faith and receive material which is both formative as well as informative.
The celebration of the Confirmation Mass is scheduled by the diocese and bishop. It brings their preparation to a close and the beginning of a life in fuller service to the Lord and His Church.
Matrimony
Scripture often refers to marriage, the meaning God gave to it, and its renewal in the covenant made by Jesus with his Church. Man and woman were created for each other.
You are getting married! Congratulations upon your upcoming wedding and marriage!
With such varied venues available for entering into marriage, we are joyful that you are considering the Catholic Church for your marriage preparation and wedding celebration. May the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph watch over you and intercede for you during your journey towards the fullness of life and love that sacred matrimony brings to so many Christians today. Again, Congratulations & Blessings!
Marriage Preparation
A couple will first meet with a Priest or Deacon and begin a personal marriage file for the couple at least 6 months prior to the wedding. The couple will go online and take the a communication tool entitled FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding, Study); a Priest or Deacon will review its results with the couple over several sessions. The couple attends either a Marriage Encounter Weekend or
Marriage Class Series. The couple also meets with a trained person or couple to learn more about Natural Family Planning.
Documents
• Baptismal Certificates: Christian parties are required to present a copy of their baptismal certificate.
• Marriage License: The couple is required to present a Marriage License from the local court house.
•. Pre-Nuptial Investigation: When you meet, the Priest or Deacon begins a file of basic background information.
Fees/Donations
While registered families and couples receive no wedding fee, wedding couples customarily make a donation of gratitude to the church, which must precede any personal gift for clergy. Usual donation: $250. Non-registered families and couples are asked to donate $500 to support the local church. Non-registered couples seeking only marriage preparation are asked to donate $100.
Wedding Ceremony
After contacting our parish office, the Priest or Deacon works with you to finalize your Wedding place/date/time. There is wisdom in having this set before finalizing your wedding reception. Weddings with Priests can be celebrated with or without Mass; weddings with Deacons are without Mass. Most weddings occur outside of the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent. While Fridays are more flexible, Saturday weddings must begin no later than 2:00 p.m. and the ceremony length is about an hour. All weddings must be celebrated within a Christian Church. If the church for the ceremony is not Catholic, the Priest or Deacon will ask permission for the ceremony to be celebrated in another Christian Church.
Wedding Rehearsal
Your Rehearsal usually takes place the evening before the ceremony. The couple works with the priest or deacon to schedule the date and time. If all arrive on time, the rehearsal length is about an hour.
Ceremony Planning
Near the end of Marriage Preparation, the Priest or Deacon reviews with the couple a copy of our Wedding Ceremony Guidelines and a copy of a Wedding Ceremony Planning Booklet.
Holy Orders
When Jesus called his first disciples, he invited them simply to "come and see". He didn’t tell them everything all at once. His plan for them was revealed over time.
Are you feeling called?
Vocation means to call. God is calling all of us to a relationship with Him. In this relationship, Jesus will show you His plan for your life. Contact
Deacon Jim Bregel.
Discernment
Discernment means to separate. When one is discerning a vocation through prayer, Christian community, and mission, it means they are taking time apart to listen to Jesus in order to hear his voice. When one experiences the unique and personal love of Jesus, desires begin to grow within his/her heart. These desires grow over time and begin to direct the individual’s life. To discern then is to separate this holy desire from other desires of life and choose to follow Jesus' call.
Choosing A Vocation: Marriage, Priesthood, Consecrated Life
Many who are discerning are afraid of telling others. It is necessary to find someone you trust and share your experiences with them. Find a vocations director. The vocation director’s role is to walk with young men and women who are discerning.
Anointing of the Sick
In the Church’s Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment.
This is the second sacrament of healing. It involves anointing the hands and forehead with precious olive oil that is blessed and prayed over by our bishop at the annual Chrism Mass.
This anointing is most commonly administered by a priest during times of serious or chronic illness. It has been found to grant comfort, strength, peace and various types of healing to those who are suffering.
This holy anointing is also administered to prepare a Christian to pass over from this world to eternal life as their earthly life is drawing to s close.
This sacrament is often accompanied by the two sacraments of Penance (Confession) (Reconciliation) and Holy Communion, which serves as Viaticum, food for the final journey.
If you or a loved one desires to receive this sacrament, please notify the pastorate office.