Do you remember "A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace." This definition did not originate in 1884 with the Baltimore Catechism, but with St. Augustine in the fifth century. Sacraments are more than ritual acts that give grace. Rather they are opportunities for people already in God's grace to gather and celebrate that fact through symbolic action or ritual. Sacraments are actions, not things. They are actions of God for people. Sacraments don't happen in church so much as they happen in people, who come together as church, and as community, to celebrate what has already been happening to them. Sacraments are lived long before they are celebrated. Or, as St Augustine put it, they are "visible signs of invisible grace." Ritual enables us to enact bodily the belief that God touches our lives in special ways. Ritual enables us to enact the faith that is within.

Each of the sacraments spans past, present, and future. They call us to remember God's action in history, to be aware of God's presence in our lives right now, and to stretch toward that which is holy, sacred, and mysterious in God and in ourselves as God's people. The past dimension consists of the values that Jesus lived: love, forgiveness, health, self-sacrifice, service; opportunities for us to live those values by remembering them. The present dimension expresses our awareness of God's action in our lives each and every day; the awareness is what brings us to celebrate the sacraments in the first place. The future dimension calls us to live that which we remember from the past and recognize in our own lives - and act out that love and care for one another.

Required Membership

The very essence of a sacrament, therefore, calls for it to be celebrated in community. It is important then that you are a registered member of that community. Christianity is not a religion of isolation but rather one that calls us to come together to encounter Christ, embrace his message and make it our way of life. Living it out in community gives us the support and experience of Christ that is essential to our Christian development. Celebrating sacraments, especially baptism and marriage, need to be done with the parish family present to offer their support, joy, and prayers. The Church underscores the importance of community and follows through when it tells us that, if there is no hope of bringing up a child in the Catholic religion, then the baptism should be postponed.

At first glance this seems like a lot but the commitment to raise your child as a Catholic Christian is not something to be taken lightly. We want this to be a truly significant moment in your life as well as your child's.

This Sacrament completes the Sacraments of Initiation and may be celebrated in the 10th grade. A student must be a practicing Catholic (attending Mass and receiving Eucharist regularly). It is expected that the student will attend 8th grade religious formation and then 9th grade Confirmation prep classes to be eligible for Confirmation. It is expected that ALL candidates attend the Confirmation retreat in the fall and parents will attend all parent meetings. (Grade levels given for sacraments are the minimum guideline. If your child is not ready, he/she may wait an additional year.)

First Eucharist may be celebrated in 2nd grade. Students must be baptized and have completed one full year of religious formation before being accepted the following year for sacramental preparation Retreats/Parent meetings are a requirement of our sacramental preparation and parents are expected to attend with their child. (Grade levels given for sacraments are the minimum guideline. If your child is not ready, he/she may wait an additional year.)

During the first period of the process (Inquiry) the parish helps the inquirer to discover just what it is he or she is seeking. Once inquirers have experienced an initial conversion they celebrate the first major liturgical ritual. This first ritual is the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. During this rite of acceptance the candidates are publicly welcomed and declare their intention to the Church and the Church accepts them as persons who intend to become its members.

The second stage of the initiation process is the extended period of time when those to be initiated receive more formal training. They learn more about the sacred Scriptures and the doctrines of the Church. The candidates also learn about the prayer and worship life of the Church. They learn how to live and serve others in apostolic witness. The second major ritual occurs on the First Sunday of Lent. The catechumens have been elected (chosen) by God to receive the sacraments of initiation.

The third period of preparation is one of intense, spiritual recollection that usually coincides with Lent. It is the period of Purification and Enlightenment; a time for reflection and prayer more than teaching. There are three purifying rituals to help strengthen the elect and help to complete their conversion. At the end of Lent they will receive the Sacraments of Initiation which are celebrated Holy Saturday night at the Easter Vigil.

The process of initiation continues even after the Easter celebration with the Period of Mystagogia (an ancient Greek word signifying a deepening understanding of the mysteries of our faith). Throughout the Easter season, the new members continue to gather, to deepen their grasp on the mystery into which they have just been incorporated. It is about Mission, the mission of Jesus Christ.

First Penance may be celebrated in the 4th grade. (Parents can request Penance in 2nd grade by making an appointment with the Director of Religious Education). Students must be baptized and have completed one full year of religious formation before being accepted the following year for sacramental preparation. Retreats/Parent meetings are a requirement of our sacramental preparation and parents are expected to attend with their child. (Grade levels given for sacraments are the minimum guideline. If your child is not ready, he/she may wait an additional year.)

This sacrament of healing is celebrated of the last Wednesday of the month at the 7:00 p.m. Liturgy in the Chapel. Special circumstances may be scheduled by contacting the parish offices.

It was a nice wedding. Now, please invite me to the marriage. Signed, GOD.

For more information please contact the office on (810) 229-8624