Sacraments
“The Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us” through the work of the Holy Spirit (CC, nos. 1131; cf. no. 774).
BAPTISM: Becoming A Christian
The first Sacrament of Initiation by which we are freed from all sin and are
endowed with the gift of divine life, are made members of the Church, and are
called to holiness and mission.
Baptismal
preparation classes are offered every other month for expectant parents. Meeting
dates are published in the bulletin and the monthly parish calendar of events.
Attendance at Baptism Class is required of First Time Parents! Parents can
attend the program prior to the birth of their child. This is highly
recommended. You need not wait until the baby is born to complete this baptism
requirement. Please call the Parish Office to register for this instruction.
CONFIRMATION: Consecrated for Mission
This is a Sacrament of Initiation in which the bishop or a delegated priest
confers Confirmation through the anointing with chrism on the recipient’s
forehead, which is done by the laying on of the hand, while saying, “Be sealed
with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a special outpouring of the gifts
of the Holy Spirit, which seals and confirms the baptized in union with Christ
and calls them to greater participation in the worship and apostolic life of the
Church.
Confirmation
Sessions begin in the Fall of the 9th grade.
This Sacrament is celebrated by the Bishop in the Fall of the 10th grade.
Please call Nancy Groves at 410-208-2854 for further information.
THE EUCHARIST: Source and Summit of the Christian Life
During the celebration of the Mass, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the
proclamation of Jesus’ words by the priest, the bread and wine are changed into
the Body and Blood of Christ, which is offered in an unbloody manner in
sacrifice for us and in praise to the Father.
The assembly actively participates by prayers, hymns, psalms, responses,
and an inner self-offering along with Christ to the Father.
All who are properly prepared can receive Holy Communion, by which Jesus
gradually transforms the receivers into himself and which leads them to Gospel
witness in the world.
Children in the 2nd
grade celebrate First Holy Communion in the Spring.
Visit Religious Education for class information.
PENANCE & RECONCILIATION: God is Rich Mercy
Also called the Sacrament of Confession, Penance, Conversion, and
Forgiveness, this is the Sacrament in which sins committed after Baptism are
forgiven. It results in
reconciliation with God and the Church.
Children in the 2nd
grade celebrate First Reconciliation in the Fall.
See Religious Education page for class information.
CONFESSIONS
Saturday
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
This Sacrament of healing is given to a person who is seriously ill or in danger
of death due to sickness or old age.
Elderly people may be anointed if they are in a weak condition though no
dangerous illness is present.
Call the Parish
Office to schedule.
HOLY ORDERS
The Sacrament in which a bishop ordains a man to be conformed to Jesus Christ by
grace, to service and leadership in the Church.
A man can be ordained a deacon, priest, or bishop.
Through this Sacrament, the mission entrusted by Christ to his Apostles
continues to be exercised in the Church.
This Sacrament confers a permanent mark or character on the one who
receives it.
If you are a young
man or woman interested in learning more about vocations to the priesthood and
religious life, please call the office to meet with Father Protack.
In addition, our Diocese of Wilmington has a Vocation Office for Priestly
and Religious Vocations.
Their contact
information is:
Father Joseph
Cocucci
If you would like
to learn more about the Permanent Diaconate Program (Deacon), please call Deacon
John Lemon in our parish office or contact the Diocesan Office of Deacons:
Deacon Hal Jopp,
Jr.
MATRIMONY
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 offspring; this covenant
between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a
sacrament.
Pre-Cana is the
required preparation for the sacrament of Marriage. Couples who are anticipating
marriage are reminded to contact the Parish Office as soon as possible to make
arrangements for their wedding. The Pre-Marriage Instruction Program (Pre-Cana)
must be completed before the wedding. Couples should also contact the Parish
Office at least one year prior to their wedding to facilitate marriage
preparation with the Parish Priest.
Pre-Cana Sessions are held twice a year, once in May and October.
Information on
annulments is provided by Deacon John Lemon. If you need more information,
counseling or help please contact the Parish Office to set up an appointment.