The Sacraments of the Church

The sacraments of the Church were instituted by Christ the Lord as signs and means by which God is worshipped, our faith is expressed and strengthened, and the salvation of the faithful is brought about (c. 840).
 

The Sacrament of Baptism
Pastoral Manual 

Infant Baptism

Infant Baptism (infants and children under the age of 7) is the normative way to begin the initiation of children into the Church.

Parents should:

• Contact their parish as soon as possible after the birth of their child;

• Bring the child’s birth certificate;
• Parents are required to attend Baptismal preparation presentation.

Godparents:

Only one Godparent is required for Baptism. The Godparent (sponsor):

• Be designated by the parents or the one who takes their place.
• Have completed the 16th year.
• Be a practicing Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken.
• If married, is in a valid Catholic marriage.
• Not bound by any canonical penalty.
• Not be the mother of the father of the one to be baptized.
• Complete the Baptism Sponsor Covenant form.

Adult Baptism - Pastoral  Manual

Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church, enter the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Their formation prepares them to receive all three initiation sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Rather than compressing the stages of conversion into a single ritual associated with the moment of baptism, the RCIA process is supported by four periods of instruction and the celebration of three liturgical rites. The RCIA process ideally extends through a complete liturgical year to allow sufficient time for instruction in the truths of the faith and Christian life.

Adults baptized in another faith tradition are also part of the RCIA process.

Adults baptized Catholic but who have not received instruction also are part of the RCIA process.

RCIA participants are required to have a godparent/sponsor. The qualifications for the godparent/ sponsor are the same as listed in the Infant Baptism section. They will also need to complete a Godparent/ Sponsor covenant form. Contact the parish nearest to you to inquire about the RCIA process. If additional help is needed in locating a RCIA
process, contact the Office of Religious Education and Formation.

The Sacrament of Confirmation

Pastoral Manual 

Confirmation is one of the Initiation sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist).

Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit that brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace.

• It unites us more firmly to Christ.
• It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• It renders a perfect bond with the Church.
• It gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith.

Every baptized person who is not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

Adolescent Confirmation

Adolescents who were baptized as an infant or toddler receive Confirmation generally 14-16 years of age. The Bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation. A recent baptismal certificate is required so the reception of the sacrament can be duly recorded at their church of baptism.

Adult Confirmation

Adults seeking Confirmation should contact their parish for the dates and times of their adult Confirmation program. Adults can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at their parish celebration of the sacrament or at one of the diocesan adult Confirmation celebrations.

Please contact the Office of Religious Education for help in finding a Confirmation program that fits your needs.
 

The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist

Pastoral Manual 

The Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, the Lord’s own sacrifice. In the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church namely, Christ himself. It is communion in the divine life. It is the culmination both of God’s action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship offered to Christ. It is the sum and summary of our faith. Eucharist completes the Christian Initiation.

The liturgical action of Eucharist is also traditionally known as the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is central to our Christian faith. Holy Communion has a complete form as a sign when it is received under both species of bread and wine.

Catholics are encouraged to receive the Holy Eucharist regularly.

First Holy Communion

Any baptized Catholic child who has reached the age of reason (7 years of age and attended religious education classes in the first grade and is now in the second grade) is eligible to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist, usually referred to as First Communion.

Requirements

• Parents must provide proof that the child was baptized in the Catholic Church
• The child must attend a preparation program provided at the parish
• Parents are the primary educators of children in the Catholic faith and should take an active part in First Communion preparation
• Child will also be prepared to receive First Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation

Pastoral Manual 

“Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him and are at the same time reconciled with the Church” (CCC 1422).

The Sacrament consists of four parts:

1. The examination of conscience

2. The confessing of sins to the priest

3. The absolution and contrition

4. The completion of the penance given by the priest

Regular participation in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation and the confession of venial sins helps us to form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life if the Spirit” (CCC 1458).

Church law states, “After having attained the use of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year” (CCC 1457).

 

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

Pastoral Manual 

“By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them” (CCC 1499).

The anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, having reached the age of reason whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age.

The sacrament can be repeated if the sick person recovers and then becomes gravely ill or if the condition becomes graver during the same illness (CCC 1004).

Viaticum is the Eucharist received by a dying person. It is the spiritual food for the journey to the Father. Communion as Viaticum constitutes the last sacraments of the Christian (CCC 1524).

 

The Sacrament of Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time.

There are three degrees of ordination:

• Episcopate-Bishop
• Presbyterate-Priest
• Diaconate-Deacon

A deacon can be transitional, that is a step in the process of ordination to the priesthood or permanent deacon which can be conferred on (married) men who are ordained to ministry and service.

For information on the Priesthood, contact the Vocation Office.

For information on the Permanent Diaconate,  contact the Diaconate Office.

 

The Sacrament of Matrimony

Pastoral Manual 

Is the matrimonial covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament (CCC 1601).

• The couple should contact their parish as soon as they have made the decision to marry.
• The couple should receive appropriate education and pastoral preparation through participation in a marriage preparation program approved by the diocese.
• Baptized Catholics should present a recently issued, annotated baptismal certificate.
• Baptized non-Catholics should present satisfactory proof of baptism and freedom to marry.
• Unbaptized persons should present satisfactory proof of freedom to marry.