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We recognize that the Sacraments have a visible and invisible reality, a reality open to all the human
senses but grasped in its God-given depths with the eyes of faith. When parents hug their children, for
example, the visible reality we see is the hug. The invisible reality the hug conveys is love. We cannot
"see" the love the hug expresses, though sometimes we can see its nurturing effect in the child.
The visible reality we see in the Sacraments is their outward expression, the form they take, and the way
in which they are administered and received. The invisible reality we cannot "see" is God's grace, his
gracious initiative in redeeming us through the death and Resurrection of his Son. His initiative is called
grace because it is the free and loving gift by which he offers people a share in his life, and shows us his
favor and will for our salvation. Our response to the grace of God's initiative is itself a grace or gift from
God by which we can imitate Christ in our daily lives.
The saving words and deeds of Jesus Christ are the foundation of what he would communicate in the
Sacraments through the ministers of the Church. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church recognizes the
existence of Seven Sacraments instituted by the Lord. They are the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism,
Confirmation, the Eucharist), the Sacraments of Healing (Penance and the Anointing of the Sick), and the
Sacraments at the Service of Communion (Marriage and Holy Orders). Through the Sacraments, God
shares his holiness with us so that we, in turn, can make the world holier.
senses but grasped in its God-given depths with the eyes of faith. When parents hug their children, for
example, the visible reality we see is the hug. The invisible reality the hug conveys is love. We cannot
"see" the love the hug expresses, though sometimes we can see its nurturing effect in the child.
The visible reality we see in the Sacraments is their outward expression, the form they take, and the way
in which they are administered and received. The invisible reality we cannot "see" is God's grace, his
gracious initiative in redeeming us through the death and Resurrection of his Son. His initiative is called
grace because it is the free and loving gift by which he offers people a share in his life, and shows us his
favor and will for our salvation. Our response to the grace of God's initiative is itself a grace or gift from
God by which we can imitate Christ in our daily lives.
The saving words and deeds of Jesus Christ are the foundation of what he would communicate in the
Sacraments through the ministers of the Church. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church recognizes the
existence of Seven Sacraments instituted by the Lord. They are the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism,
Confirmation, the Eucharist), the Sacraments of Healing (Penance and the Anointing of the Sick), and the
Sacraments at the Service of Communion (Marriage and Holy Orders). Through the Sacraments, God
shares his holiness with us so that we, in turn, can make the world holier.
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| THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION |
The sacraments of Christian initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist—lay the foundations of every Christian life. "The sharing in the divine
nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born
anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of
Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity."3 (CCC 1212)
nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born
anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of
Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity."3 (CCC 1212)
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),
and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn
as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her
mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word." (CCC 1213)
Infant Baptisms (up to age 5): Infant baptisms in English are on the second and fourth Sundays of each
month after the midday Spanish Mass. Baptisms in Spanish are on the first and third Sundays after the
midday Spanish Mass. You must be a registered member and live within the parish boundaries to baptize
here. Stop by the parish office to pick up an application and sign up for an interview with the deacon to begin
the process.
Baptism for School Age Youth: Students who register for First Communion class and have not been baptized
are invited into the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults adapted for Children (RCIA). After the completion of
their first year of instruction, the students and their parents/guardians become involved in a year long process
culminating in the reception of all three sacraments of initiation.
and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn
as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her
mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word." (CCC 1213)
Infant Baptisms (up to age 5): Infant baptisms in English are on the second and fourth Sundays of each
month after the midday Spanish Mass. Baptisms in Spanish are on the first and third Sundays after the
midday Spanish Mass. You must be a registered member and live within the parish boundaries to baptize
here. Stop by the parish office to pick up an application and sign up for an interview with the deacon to begin
the process.
Baptism for School Age Youth: Students who register for First Communion class and have not been baptized
are invited into the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults adapted for Children (RCIA). After the completion of
their first year of instruction, the students and their parents/guardians become involved in a year long process
culminating in the reception of all three sacraments of initiation.
Photo by: Roselyn Vizcarra ©2011
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The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal
priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole
community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. "At the Last Supper, on the night he was
betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to
perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his
beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a
bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of
future glory is given to us.'" (CCC 1322-23)
Only those Catholics who have faithfully prepared may receive Eucharist. This preparation may include
receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to receiving Eucharist. If you need further direction please
contact one of the clergy for more information on how to prepare to receive Eucharist.
First Communion: First Communion and First Reconciliation preparation is usually begun in second grade
and completed in third grade. When children who are older come for First Communion preparation they are
placed in a class of students of similar age. Days and times for these classes vary depending on the age of
the student.
priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole
community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. "At the Last Supper, on the night he was
betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to
perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his
beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a
bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of
future glory is given to us.'" (CCC 1322-23)
Only those Catholics who have faithfully prepared may receive Eucharist. This preparation may include
receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to receiving Eucharist. If you need further direction please
contact one of the clergy for more information on how to prepare to receive Eucharist.
First Communion: First Communion and First Reconciliation preparation is usually begun in second grade
and completed in third grade. When children who are older come for First Communion preparation they are
placed in a class of students of similar age. Days and times for these classes vary depending on the age of
the student.
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Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian
initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the
sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For "by the sacrament of
Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength
of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the
faith by word and deed." (CCC 1285)
Confirmation for our youth begins in high school. Besides being in high school, students must be 15 years
of age by May of their second year in the Confirmation process.
initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the
sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For "by the sacrament of
Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength
of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the
faith by word and deed." (CCC 1285)
Confirmation for our youth begins in high school. Besides being in high school, students must be 15 years
of age by May of their second year in the Confirmation process.
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| THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION |
Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man receives the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life "in earthen vessels," and it remains "hidden with
Christ in God."1 We are still in our "earthly tent," subject to suffering, illness, and death.2 This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost
by sin. The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health,3 has willed that
his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two
sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. (CCC 1420)
Christ in God."1 We are still in our "earthly tent," subject to suffering, illness, and death.2 This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost
by sin. The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health,3 has willed that
his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two
sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. (CCC 1420)
"Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense
committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded
by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion." It is called the
sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus' call to conversion, the first step
in returning to the Father from whom one has strayed by sin. It is called the sacrament of Penance, since
it consecrates the Christian sinner's personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and
satisfaction. It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest
is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a "confession"—acknowledgment
and praise—of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man. It is called the sacrament of
forgiveness, since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the penitent "pardon and peace." It
is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles:
"Be reconciled to God."7 He who lives by God's merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord's call: "Go;
first be reconciled to your brother." (CCC 1422-24)
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM or you may approach a priest at anytime
you are in need of this Sacrament.
First Reconciliation: Preparation is usually begun in second grade and completed in third grade.
committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded
by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion." It is called the
sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus' call to conversion, the first step
in returning to the Father from whom one has strayed by sin. It is called the sacrament of Penance, since
it consecrates the Christian sinner's personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and
satisfaction. It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest
is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a "confession"—acknowledgment
and praise—of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man. It is called the sacrament of
forgiveness, since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the penitent "pardon and peace." It
is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles:
"Be reconciled to God."7 He who lives by God's merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord's call: "Go;
first be reconciled to your brother." (CCC 1422-24)
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM or you may approach a priest at anytime
you are in need of this Sacrament.
First Reconciliation: Preparation is usually begun in second grade and completed in third grade.
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"By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those
who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she
exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion
and death of Christ." (CCC 1499)
Anointing of the Sick: Saturday following the 5:30 PM Mass, but you may receive this Sacrament anytime
you are in need. Only a priest may administer this Sacrament.
who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she
exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion
and death of Christ." (CCC 1499)
Anointing of the Sick: Saturday following the 5:30 PM Mass, but you may receive this Sacrament anytime
you are in need. Only a priest may administer this Sacrament.
| THE SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION |
Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man receives the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life "in earthen vessels," and it remains "hidden with
Christ in God."1 We are still in our "earthly tent," subject to suffering, illness, and death.2 This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost
by sin. The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health,3 has willed that
his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two
sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. (CCC 1420)
Christ in God."1 We are still in our "earthly tent," subject to suffering, illness, and death.2 This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost
by sin. The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health,3 has willed that
his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two
sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. (CCC 1420)
"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." (CCC 1601)
Catholic marriage preparation is a length process so please contact the parish office to begin the
process before you make any plans. You will have several interviews with the priest or deacon who
is preparing you as well as attending the Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program and attending an
Engaged Encounter retreat or Evenings for the Engaged.
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." (CCC 1601)
Catholic marriage preparation is a length process so please contact the parish office to begin the
process before you make any plans. You will have several interviews with the priest or deacon who
is preparing you as well as attending the Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program and attending an
Engaged Encounter retreat or Evenings for the Engaged.
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles
continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic
ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate. (CCC1536) If you are
a faithful, practicing, Catholic, male and you feel called to receive this Sacrament, please contact
your priest or deacon to begin the discernment process.
continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic
ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate. (CCC1536) If you are
a faithful, practicing, Catholic, male and you feel called to receive this Sacrament, please contact
your priest or deacon to begin the discernment process.
