Sacraments

BAPTISM

Baptism is often referred to as the gateway to all the other Sacraments.  It is the Sacrament of the Church’s Faith and of incorporation into the Christian Community.  Our Christian faith tells us that in Baptism we:

  • are reborn through water and the Holy Spirit as adopted children of God
  • join Jesus in a death and resurrection as we pass through the water
  • become members of the Church in which the Holy Spirit dwells and acts
  • become disciples of the Lord Jesus
  • are given the pledge of eternal life
  • are forgiven of sin and transformed into a new creation filled with God’s love and grace. (read more)


RECONCILIATION

Reconciliation is a Sacrament instituted by Jesus in his love and mercy to offer sinners forgiveness.  At the same time, it offers sinners the opportunity to be reconciled with the Church because she is also wounded by our sins.

Every time we sin, we hurt ourselves, other people and God.  In Reconciliation, we acknowledge our sins before God and His Church.  We express our sorrow in a meaningful way, receive forgiveness of Jesus, make reparation for what we have done and resolve to do better in the future.  (read more)

FIRST COMMUNION

On the day of a child’s baptism, parents promise to lead and guide their children in the ways of faith.  As a child continues to grow, the time will come for him/her to take the next step in their journey of faith and of deepening his/her relationship with God.  As parents present their child for the reception of the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, they remain faithful to the promise they made on the day of their child’s baptism.  (read more)

CONFIRMATION

The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of the 3 Sacraments of Initiation of the Catholic Church.  Confirmation continue and strengthens the grace we first received at Baptism.  The Sacrament of Confirmation:

  • roots us more deeply in our identity as God’s children.
  • unites us more firmly with Christ
  • increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit within us
  • binds us more closely to the Church
  • gives us special strength to bear witness to our faith in today’s world. (read more)


MARRIAGE

Marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, a life-long commitment of exclusive fidelity to one another for the mutual sharing of life and love; a union open to children.  For baptized Christians, marriage is a Sacrament.

Entering into the Sacrament of Matrimony is a serious undertaking.  Couples who ask to celebrate their marriage before a Priest or deacon of the Church and in the presence of the Christian community have a responsibility to prepare themselves, to the best of their ability, for a happy and lasting sacramental life together. (read more)

HOLY ORDERS

Holy Orders is the Sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles to proclaim the Good News continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time.  Holy Orders has three degrees, which are the Episcopate (bishop), the Presbyterate (priest) and the Diaconate (deacon).  Through the laying on of hands, men are ordained bishop or priest for roles of leadership in the Church and ordained deacon for the role of service in the Church. (read more)

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Throughout our lives, and especially as we grow older, we may experience periods of poor health.  When these moments are marked with a greater seriousness, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick can offer both spiritual and physical healing.

In this Sacrament, we encounter Jesus who heals and consoles us by offering us the presence of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in body, mind and spirit during our time of illness.  Our trust and faith in God are renewed and our suffering is united in Jesus’s suffering on the cross.  (read more)