Sacraments

“Jesus' words and actions during his hidden life and public ministry were already salvific, for they anticipated the power of his Paschal mystery. They announced and prepared what he was going to give the Church when all was accomplished. the mysteries of Christ's life are the foundations of what he would henceforth dispense in the sacraments, through the ministers of his Church, for "what was visible in our Savior has passed over into his mysteries.

Sacraments are "powers that comes forth" from the Body of Christ, which is ever living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant.”

- Catechism of the Catholic Church 1115-1116

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about sacramental preparation within our Family of Parishes. Information can be found below. If you need help or require additional details, please always feel free to reach out to our parish office.

Baptism

1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),4 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 in the word

Parents are expected to participate in a preparation program before infant Baptism, preferably during pregnancy. Baptisms are usually celebrated after scheduled Masses.

Adults and children older than 7 years old wishing to be baptized should call the parish office for information about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

Please contact any Parish office to schedule a Baptism.

Reconciliation

1422 "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."

Reconciliation:

We recommend that penitents arrive promptly for confessions to ensure adequate opportunity for the celebration of this sacrament. Communal Reconciliation services are offered twice a year during Advent and Lent. Please see the Bulletin for more information about these Communal services.

First Reconciliation:

Children generally receive their First Reconciliation by regularly attending our Second Grade Parish School of Religion (PSR) program. Older children and adults wishing to participate in First Reconciliation can contact the parish office at to request information on our RCIC and RCIA program.

Prerequisites for First Reconciliation:

A copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate and regular attendance in our Second Grade PSR program is required for your child to receive First Reconciliation.

Holy Eucharist

1322 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.

1323 "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.'"

Younger children generally receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion following formation in our Parish School of Religion (PSR). Older children and adults follow RCIA formation.

Communion to the Homebound

Call any Parish office to arrange a visit

Confirmation

1285 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."

Notes on Confirmation Prep

There are two goals of Confirmation prep:

a.) to educate teens on the sacrament.

b.) to help form teens as lifelong disciples.

Likewise, we have two components of Confirmation prep. We ask all teens to participate in youth ministry, as well as a few supplemental Confirmation sessions. Next year's full schedule will be made available in June 2023. Registration for youth ministry will also be available in July 2023.

Preparation for Confirmation consists of regularly attending teen faith formation (youth ministry), preparation of the student by the parent, a mini-retreat for students, a few sessions specifically for candidates and their sponsors, Confirmation discernment interviews, and a letter written to Father Fox, requesting the sacrament.

Matrimony

1601 "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."

Couples contemplating marriage should call any parish office for an appointment before setting a date. Six (6) months of preparation are required. Parish music policies, which reflect archdiocesan guidelines, will be followed.

Holy Orders

1536 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.

If you think you may be called to Permanent Diaconate or Priesthood, please contact any parish office. Information is also available on the website of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/ministries-offices/vocations/

Anointing of the Sick

1499 "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."

Please call any parish office immediately in case of a serious illness or hospitalization. Hospitals can no longer call the parish for you.