The liturgical life of the church is grounded in the celebration of the sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony and Holy Orders. These seven sacraments are effective signs of grace entrusted to the church by Christ that we each might share in the divine life. Through these rituals we are nourished, healed, and united to the Lord and one another as the Body of Christ.

It is the whole community, the body of Christ, united with its head, which celebrates each of the sacraments. Thus, sacramental celebrations are always community celebrations and never private functions. To make visible the communal aspect of the sacraments, the church's preference is that they be celebrated within a significant gathering of the local community whenever possible. For the sacraments of initiation (i.e. Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist), this significant gathering of the local community takes place most clearly at the Sunday Eucharist.

Thus, we invite young families to celebrate the baptism of their new infants with the extended parish family gathered for Sunday mass. Given the size of our church and the number of young people preparing for the sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist, it is possible for us to celebrate these sacraments at Sunday liturgies.

The Sacraments

Baptism
Parents must call the parish office one month in advance to schedule a Baptism. They must also attend a one hour class. Baptisms are arranged at the convenience of those involved.

Reconciliation
Confessions are heard on Saturday from 4:00 to 4:55 PM or at the rectory at any time by appointment. During Lent, Advent and Holy Days, special times are scheduled and publicized in the bulletin.

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
Children are prepared in the home setting by their parents and families. Parents are required to attend preparation sessions. Children must be enrolled in our Religious Education Program for two consecutive years if not attending parochial school.

Confirmation
This is a two-year process taking place in ninth and tenth grades. If students are not attending parochial school, they are required to be enrolled in our Religious Education Program in addition to regularly scheduled confirmation classes.

Matrimony
Engaged couples wishing to marry in the church should contact one of the parish priests or deacon at least one year prior to the planned wedding date to begin the marriage preparation process. It is expected that one of the parties be living within the boundaries of the parish or if not be a registered member of the parish. Those outside the parish wishing to be married in the parish are expected to have a good reason along with permission of their pastor.

The preparation program presumes regular church attendance and consists of meetings with the priest or deacon who will officiate, participation in the Diocesan Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter program, and the parish Sponsor Couple Program.

Sacrament of the Sick
Anointing for any seriously ill parishioner may be requested at the parish office. The priests, deacon and special ministers are most willing to visit the sick in hospitals, nursing homes or family homes. Primary care givers are not responsible for notifying the rectory. Therefore it is requested that members of the family notify the rectory of this need.