Sacraments

Baptism

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church’s way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.

Those wishing to have their child baptized should call the Parish Office.

Confession - Reconciliation

The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Penance, or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God’s unconditional forgiveness; as a result we are called to forgive others.

Eucharist

Catholics believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. As we receive Christ’s Body and Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.

Please view the link for more information on this year’s 1st Communion. here

(children must be registered with the parish office to attend)

Confirmation

Confirmation is a Catholic Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. It is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics. It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Please view the link for more information on this year’s Confirmation.
Here

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Marriage

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God’s values.

Holy Orders

In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.

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Holy Anointing - Sacrament of the Sick

The Catholic Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction, is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical but also for mental and spiritual sickness.

If you have a family member, loved one or friend in the hospital, or shut-in at home, please call the Rectory Office so that arrangements can be made for their pastoral care. Holy Communion and the Sacrament of the Sick are available to all who are seriously ill.

First Reconciliation and First Communion for Children

Children normally prepare for these sacraments in Grade 2. Preparation for these sacraments occurs on three levels; family, parish and school. Young people older than seven years of age who have missed these sacraments will require some catechetical formation before being admitted to these sacraments in accordance with Diocesan Sacramental Guidelines

We provide to parents a video based preparation program for First Reconciliation and First Communion. Parents work on the First Reconciliation Program with their children until the celebration of First Reconciliation, and then review the First Communion Program. Both programs can be found by following this link: Blessed First Reconciliation and First Communion Preparation

The Role of the Catholic School

Our Catholic schools play an invaluable role in helping the parish prepare for these celebrations. However, these are celebrations of the parish community, and as such, all inquiries and communication about these sacraments must be directed to the parish. This means that parents must request these sacraments for their children through the parish community. Please be aware that they do not automatically happen because the child is in the Catholic school system.

The Role of the Parish and Parents

There are parent meetings designed to assist parents to help those entrusted to their care to prepare for the celebration of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Parishioners are asked to present their child for these sacraments through a petition made available at the first parent meeting in the fall of the year. Parents are requested to provide proof of baptism for the child and, in some cases, pastoral intervention may be required when there are obstacles to full communion or children are baptized into other faith traditions. Parents and other family members are asked to work with their child to help them prepare for these sacraments. As a general policy, First Reconciliation is celebrated prior to First Communion.

It is very important that all parents who wish these children to receive the sacraments make the effort to attend Sunday mass with their children as part of the preparation process and beyond.

Questions concerning the reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist by children may be directed toward the pastor who will assist you in the process.

For the times of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for those who have received this sacrament previously, please consult our Reconciliation times Mass and Reconciliation Times