Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is the first of the three sacraments of Christian Initiation and one of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. It is considered the foundational sacrament for initiation into the Christian faith. It is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, who, in the Gospels, commissions his disciples to baptize all nations (Matthew 28:19). Baptism is necessary for salvation, as it cleanses a person from original sin and incorporates them into the Church, the Body of Christ.

Baptism is performed by the pouring of water on the head of the baptized or, in exceptional cases, by full immersion. The water symbolizes the purification of the soul and the death and resurrection of Christ. The Catholic Church teaches that Baptism is effective ex opere operato, meaning that the sacrament’s grace is conferred by the action itself, independent of the minister's personal holiness, as long as the proper form, matter, and intent are followed.

Through Baptism, the individual is freed from original sin, made a member of the Church, and receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It also marks the beginning of a lifelong process of sanctification. Baptism is traditionally administered to infants, though it can also be received by adults who are prepared through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). The sacrament is typically celebrated with a liturgical ceremony, including prayers, readings, and the anointing with sacred chrism.

If you want baptism for yourself, your child or for someone under your care, please contact the parish office for more information and direction.

Conformation



The sacrament of confirmation is second of the three sacraments of Christian initiation, and one of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. It is the completion of baptism and a preparation for the last of the three sacraments of Christian initiation – The first Holy Eucharist. With confirmation, the baptized person receives the seven gifts and the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit to prepare them for the Christian life – a life of discipleship.

Confirmation is traditionally administered by a bishop, though a priest can confer it in certain circumstances. The sacrament involves the anointing with sacred chrism (a mixture of oil and balsam) on the forehead of the confirmand, while the bishop or priest lays hands on the person. This symbolizes the sealing of the Holy Spirit and the individual’s deeper union with Christ. The confirmand also affirms their baptismal promises and professes their faith.

Here in our Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, those who are baptized as infants or under the age of seven, receive the sacrament of confirmation along with the first Holy Eucharist after the age of seven (usually in third grade) in the newly restored correct order of the sacraments of Christian initiation. However, those who already receive the first Holy Eucharist separately without confirmation before the restored order came to the diocese can receive confirmation on Pentecost or at other times as the case may be.

If you want Confirmation for yourself, your child or for someone under your care, please contact the parish office for more information and direction.

Marriage

The Sacrament of Marriage in the Catholic Church is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, established by God, through which they commit to a lifelong partnership. It is one of the two sacraments of service in the Church alongside the Holy Orders. Marriage being a sacrament is based on the teachings of Christ, who affirmed the unity and indissolubility of marriage in Matthew 19:4-6, stating, "What God has joined together, let no one separate." The sacrament not only signifies the love and unity between spouses but also mirrors the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:25-32).

Marriage is both a vocation and a sacrament. It is intended for the good of the spouses and for the procreation and education of children. The couple’s consent is essential to the sacrament’s validity, as both parties must freely and knowingly enter into the union, reflecting the essence of Christian love: mutual respect, self-giving, and fidelity. The consent of the couple is considered the matter of the sacrament, and the minister is the couple themselves, with the priest or deacon acting as a witness for the Church.

The sacrament imparts grace to the couple, helping them to live out their vows with love and virtue. Marriage is indissoluble, meaning it cannot be dissolved by human authority, and any attempt to break this bond, such as divorce, contradicts its sacramental nature. However, when divorce is necessary, the Church discerns such possibility carefully with the spouses to find out a possible reason the marriage might have been contracted erroneously.

If you want wedding (Marriage), please contact the parish office for more information and directions. Be sure to do so at least six months before your intended date of wedding.

First Holy Eucharist

The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, also known as First Holy Communion when received for the first time, is a central act of worship in the Catholic Church. It is considered the "source and summit" of the Christian life, as stated by Pope St. John Paul II in Ecclesia de Eucharistia (2003). The Eucharist involves partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ in the form of bread and wine, which are consecrated during the Mass. It is during the celebration of the Eucharist, the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ through the process of transubstantiation.

The First Holy Eucharist is typically administered to children who have reached the age of reason, usually around seven years old, after they have undergone catechesis to understand the nature and significance of the sacrament. This sacrament marks a deepening of the child’s participation in the life of the Church, as they are invited to partake in the intimate communion with Christ that the Eucharist offers.

The Eucharist is a memorial of Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection. It is a means of grace, nourishing the soul and strengthening the recipient in their faith. The Eucharist unites the faithful with Christ and with the entire Church, fostering a deeper bond of love and unity within the Body of Christ. It is the third and last of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. Upon its reception, the person is fully initiation into the institutional Church and the Body of Christ.

Here in our Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, those who are baptized as infants or under the age of seven, receive the first Holy Eucharist along with the confirmation after the age of seven (usually in third grade) in the newly restored correct order of the sacraments of Christian initiation. However, those who already receive the first Holy Eucharist separately without confirmation before the restored order came to the diocese can receive confirmation on Pentecost or at other times as the case may be. While the reception of first Holy Eucharist confuses the understanding of confirmation as the completion of baptism and a preparation for the Eucharist, the reception of the first Holy Eucharist before confirmation does not invalidate any of the two sacraments. However, it is not the preferred order.

If you want first Holy Eucharist for yourself, your child or for someone under your care, please contact the parish office for more information and direction.

Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession or Penance, is one of the two sacraments of healing and one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, through which individuals seek healing from the wounds of sin and forgiveness for the sins committed after baptism. The sacrament is rooted in Christ’s ministry, particularly His words to the Apostles: “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them” (John 20:23). Reconciliation is a means of restoring the broken relationship between the individual and God, as well as the individual and the Church.

The sacrament involves three essential elements: contrition, confession, and satisfaction. Contrition refers to the sincere sorrow for sin, stemming from the love of God and a desire to amend one’s life. Confession is the verbal acknowledgment of sins to a priest, who acts in the person of Christ and the Church. Satisfaction involves the penitent’s effort to make amends for sin, often through penances assigned by the priest, such as prayers or acts of charity.

The priest grants absolution, which signifies the forgiveness of sins and the restoration of the penitent’s spiritual state. Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing, offering both forgiveness and spiritual renewal. Catholics are encouraged to receive the sacrament regularly, particularly during the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent, to maintain their relationship with God and to grow in holiness.

If you want Reconciliation for yourself, your child or for someone under your care, please see the bulletin or the website section on “the Times of Reconciliation” or contact the parish office for more information and direction.

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, also known as Extreme Unction or the Sacrament of Healing, is one of the two sacraments of healing, and one of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. It is administered to those who are seriously ill, elderly, or facing a significant health crisis. The sacrament is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who healed the sick and commissioned His Apostles to do the same (Mark 6:13, James 5:14-15).

The main elements of the sacrament include the anointing of the person with holy oil (the oil of the sick) on the forehead and hands, accompanied by prayers for healing, strength, and peace. The priest or bishop administers the sacrament, invoking the Holy Spirit to bring spiritual and physical healing. While the sacrament is not guaranteed to heal physically, it provides grace to endure suffering, and if God wills, it can lead to physical recovery.

The Anointing of the Sick imparts the grace necessary to face suffering and prepare the soul for death, if necessary. It also offers the forgiveness of sins for those who may not be able to confess due to their condition. This sacrament is a source of comfort and hope, reinforcing God’s love and mercy, and is often celebrated in times of serious illness or impending death, although it can be received multiple times during a person’s life.

If you want Anointing of the Sick for yourself, your child or for someone under your care, please contact the parish office for more information and direction.