Sacraments

To live a sacramental life is to live a grace-filled life. We do this by consciously looking for God throughout our day to day lives. Our faith is based on mystery and the sacraments offer us vehicles to glimpse deeper understanding into God's love.

Whether at home, the store, school, in the car, with friends, with family, alone, in prayer, caught up in all that life throws at us, etc., GOD's GRACE ABOUNDS. Our task is to open our eyes, ears, minds and hearts to recognize God in our lives... to be sacramental. To allow God's mystery, love, mercy and presence to be visible in us and through us. This is TRULY something to celebrate each day!

"Sacraments follow us through life’s significant moments — birth, coming of age, regular nourishment, failure, sickness, marriage and commitment — to intensify our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church." (Bishop O'Connell, Catechetical Writing Series)

The symbols and actions used in each of the 7 sacraments have spiritual significance that connect us with God but also offer us tools to connect God with our daily activities and objects.
 

SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION

Baptism “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” washes away original sin, begins a life of grace, and introduces the baptized into the Catholic Church.

"As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life."

Parents and godparents are the primary teachers of the faith and, with Baptism, commit themselves to helping the baptized to grow in faith throughout their lives. Baptism is received only once because their effects are meant to last a lifetime.


Confirmation "increases and deepens (confirms) baptismal grace; unites us more firmly to Christ; increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit within us; makes our bond with the Church stronger and more perfect; renders us true witnesses of Christ, able to spread and defend our Catholic faith by word and action." 

"Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Candidates stand for themselves as individuals actively choosing to live as Catholics, but they do not stand alone. Their sponsors and the Church family stands with them.


In Holy Eucharist we receive the Body and Blood of Christ; the real thing, Jesus. Everything that the Catholic Church strives to be revolves around this core belief that, in Mass, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We are graced with the opportunity to receive Christ and we are called to be Christ to the world.

"Do this in memory of me."

After the Liturgy of the Word at Mass, we celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist which is the profound celebration connecting us intimately as believers to Christ Jesus so we can, in turn, be empowered to live as Christ calls us.

SACRAMENTS OF VOCATION



Men answering God's call to hand their lives over to his service and to the service of his people receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders when they are ordained as deacons, priests and bishops. 

Why not you? Why not now?

Holy Orders is called a sacrament of apostolic ministry because our clergy undertake the same mission given by Christ to his apostles to be exercised in the Church until the end of time.


Holy Matrimony is the covenant a man and woman make to one another and to God to work as partners for the rest of their lives. The woman and man marry one another before a witness of the Church (a priest or a deacon) and representatives of the community.

Are you prepared, as you follow the path of Marriage, tolove and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?

Married couples profess their openness to building a family and their commitment to living as the domestic Church. Read more...



SACRAMENTS OF HEALING



It is God who “forgives sins” in the Sacrament of Reconcilation or Confession.  The ordained Catholic priest is the minister of this sacrament offering advice, assigning penance and giving absolution as a visible sign that reconciliation between the person apologizing to God, God and his Church has taken place.

“Neither do I condemn you.  Go and sin no more.” (John 8: 11)
 
Anointing of the Sick is intended for the healing and peace of the body and mind for the seriously ill.

“Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up.”

The sacrament offers a moment of sacramental grace and hope to accompany those who are dying on their final journey.