Sacraments

​A sacrament is an outward sign established by Jesus Christ during His ministry on earth to convey God’s grace to the recipient, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
First Communion is considered one of the holiest and most important occasions in a Catholic's life, as it is the first time one receives Jesus in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. 
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MARRIAGE
Marriage is a sacrament that unites man and woman, which "images the union of Christ and His Church."
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Please contact the parish office to schedule a meeting with the pastor at least one year before your wedding date.
HOLY ORDERS
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of Jesus Christ's priesthood, which He bestowed upon His Apostles. This is why the Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to the Sacrament of Holy Orders as "the sacrament of apostolic ministry."
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"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 (bishop), the priesthood, or the diaconate.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
The anointing of the sick is a Sacramental Rite which brings spiritual and often physical strength "to offer the healing grace of God to the infirm and the aged, remit sin and make known the powerful solicitude of the entire Body of Christ for those beset by illness or ailment." (p. 76). The formula is "Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.  May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up."
RECONCILIATION
The Rite of Reconciliation (or Penance) is a sacrament for the confession of one's sins.  Through the prayer of absolution, a sinner is reconciled with God and the Church by the forgiveness of sins.  
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is a sacrament that completes Baptism and "enables Christians to witness to their faith in a mature way" fulfilling Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit.  (p. 266)  The formula is "be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."
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BAPTISM
Baptism is the sacrament through which we are reborn as children of God and is directed toward our participation in the fullness of Christ’s divine life; conferred by pouring water or immersing a person.  Thus "the one baptized is cleansed of original sin and (in the case of one who has reached the age of reason) of particular sin; he/she is incorporated into Christ and made a member of His Body the Church; he/she is infused with sanctifying grace and receives the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity; and this enables him to receive the other sacraments effectively."  (p. 125)
Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.  Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.  Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.  Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.  Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. - St. Augustine