Sacraments are visible signs of God’s saving love for us. Every person, and every action has the potential for being a sign, a symbol and a “sacrament”. Each of us is called to be a sacrament of Jesus’ love and healing.
The Sacraments that we celebrate as Roman Catholics are:
- Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist,
- Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick,
- Sacraments of Service: Matrimony and Holy Orders.
Each of these are expressions of God’s saving action in our lives.
Faith-filled celebration of the sacraments is the means of salvation and holiness for us as individuals and as members of the church community.
Sacrament of Baptism
This sacrament of initiation incorporates us into the Church and we are reborn as daughters and sons of God.
Infant Baptism: Parents are asked to contact the parish office before the birth of their child. This will facilitate making arrangements for attending the required pre-baptismal program. This program is on held the second Friday of every month. Baptisms may take place by prior arrangement. Please note that our parish does not baptize children during the Lenten Season (from Ash Wednesday until the Easter Vigil Mass). Sponsors (Godparents) must be practicing Catholics and have a Letter of Recommendation from their own pastor.
Adult Baptism: Adult baptism may occur only after completion of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.), which is, explained in another section of this website.
Sacrament of Confirmation
This sacrament of initiation helps us to focus on the missionary dimensions of the baptismal commitment. Through this sacrament we receive the fullness of the gift of the Holy Spirit.
High School: Confirmation is conferred once a year, after a period of preparation. Sponsor participation is required. See the Religious Education / Faith Formation Handbook for more information.
Adult: Depending on their level of Catechesis, adults may receive the sacrament of confirmation only after participation in the adult Christian initiation process (R.C.I.A.) or in a number of preparation sessions.
Sacrament of Eucharist
The Eucharist is the preeminent sacrament from which all others receive meaning. In the Eucharist, Christ is most profoundly present in the church where we gather to hear the Word of God and to share the nourishment of Christ’s body with one another. The times for daily and weekend celebrations of the Eucharistic liturgy are listed elsewhere in this website and in the weekly bulletin.
First Eucharist: First Eucharist is generally celebrated in the third grade at SS Peter & Paul Faith Community. Parental participation is required.
Eucharist to the Homebound: The Eucharist can be brought to people who are home-bound by a parish priest, deacon or a Extraordinary Minister of Communion by prior arrangement. Please inform the parish office if anyone in the family is unable to participate in the Eucharistic liturgy for an extended period of time.
Communion Services: Communion services are conducted on a weekly or monthly basis at several area nursing homes and assisted living residences by our Deacons, Pastoral Associate or trained Ministers of the Eucharist. Preaching a homily is optional. Ministers are assigned to a particular residence and scheduled for monthly participation.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
A sacrament of spiritual healing, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (or Confession) offers the gift of forgiveness for the sinful ways in our life. Through our acceptance of that forgiveness, we become reconciled with God and with our church community. The sacrament if offered every Saturday from 3 to 4 p.m. or upon request or appointment. Parishioners of all ages are encouraged to attend Communal Reconciliation services, which are celebrated during Advent and Lent with several priests present for confession.
First Reconciliation: First Reconciliation at SS. Peter & Paul generally takes place in the second grade. Parental participation is required.
Anointing of the Sick
Originally know as Extreme Unction, this sacrament celebrates the gift of God’s healing to those who are physically, emotionally or spiritually unwell. No one who is chronically ill or anticipating surgery should postpone receiving this sacrament. It is offered to the homebound by calling the Parish Office and on any Friday afternoon immediately after the 12:05 p.m. mass to anyone requesting it before Mass.
Sacrament of Matrimony
Register in the parish and worship with us for at least six months before making arrangements. Then contact the parish office immediately upon decision to marry (at least 9 months prior to the anticipated wedding). Marriage preparation includes a pastoral prenuptial investigation, completion of an approved marriage preparation program as well as planning the wedding liturgy. Those previously married are not able to marry in the Catholic Church without a Declaration of Nullity or Annulment Decree from a diocesan tribunal. No wedding dates can be set unless all of the above requirements have been completed.
Sacrament of Holy Orders
This sacrament of vocation celebrates the call to serve God’s kingdom as one who oversees the guides the Catholic Faith community in the role of the bishop, priest or deacon. Those discerning this call to serve are invited to speak with our pastor or deacons. Deacons may be married or single men and may officiate at baptisms, funerals and weddings outside of mass. Our faith community prays continually for those who are discerning a call to vocations.
About Religious Life… Though not celebrated as a sacrament, life as a religious sister or brother is a call to a life of service, prayer and community. We are happy to talk with anyone moving through the process of discernment regarding the religious life.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the Church’s way of assisting individuals through their conversion to Catholic Christianity or to full initiation into the Catholic Church. The process includes attendance at Sunday liturgy, instruction in the teachings of the Church, participation in liturgical rites, reflection of the Scriptures, prayer and faith sharing.
Adults who have never been baptized, those individuals who were baptized Catholic as infants but have had little or no instruction in the faith and those baptized in other Christian traditions are all possible candidates for the RCIA process. Adults must attend Sunday liturgy each week followed by a weekly evening session. Movement through the process is marked by rituals, which celebrate the person’s progress along their journey of faith. The length of time required to complete the process varies for each individual, but is usually a minimum of one year.
The R.C.I.A. process is facilitated by the Parish Pastoral Associate and parishioners serving as a support team. Team members may function in one or more roles with those entering upon this journey of faith: dismissal catechist, sponsor, prayer leader or core team member. Each of these ministries performs specific tasks within a spirit of community and are supported by the parish faith community.