Sacraments

Baptisms

Are held the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.  Please call the Parish Office at least one month before the date of the Baptism to make arrangements. Must register to attend class which is held the first Wednesday of the month.

Weddings

Engaged couples should make arrangements with the pastor at least six months before the wedding date. No arrangements should be made before the desired date has been confirmed after an initial interview has taken place.  To get started, please contact Carol Brothers at 708-709-2699 or [email protected].

Eucharist

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.  The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself.  The Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking.

As Catholics we are blessed to be witnesses to the miracle of bread and wine transformed into the body and blood of our saviour, Jesus Christ.  You can learn more about the Eucharist at Cathlolics Come Home or (for a more acedemic tone) the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Reconcilliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.  We offer reconcilliation Saturday evenings from 4:00pm to 4:30pm.

You can learn more about this sacrament by visiting the Catholics Come Home website.

Annointing of the Sick

We invite all senior citizens and the sick to participate. The second Vatican council stated, “Anointing of the sick is not a sacrament for only those who are at the point of death”. In sacred Scripture we are directed many times to pray with and for the sick among us. In St. James’ letter we read that a Christian should “call the elders of the church to pray...anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord...the prayer offered in faith will make the person well.”

Q. Who can be anointed?

A. In general, the following may receive the Anointing of the sick:

• Those who are now seriously ill
• Those who are chronically ill (heart conditions, asthma, arthritis, etc.)
• Those who are emotionally troubled
• Those who are preparing for surgery in the near future
• Sick children who have reached the age of reason and are able to understand the meaning of the sacrament
• Senior citizens, even though no serious illness is present.

Q. Why should I be anointed if I am a senior citizen but not seriously ill?

A. Age is often accompanied by a general weakening of the body. This sacrament provides the aging with the grace of the Holy Spirit, encourages trust in and devotion to God, and acceptance of the suffering and difficulties of life.

Q. If I was anointed last year (or any time previously), can I be anointed again?

A. Yes, this sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after anointing and then takes ill again, of if, in the course of the same illness or aging, the condition worsens.

Q. What will happen at the Mass of Anointing?

A. After the homily, the priest will pray, calling down the Holy Spirit on those about to be anointed. Then, using blessed oil, Father will make the Sign of the Cross on your forehead and the palms of your hands, saying; “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.” You will respond “Amen” to each prayer.