Baptism

Christian Initiation of Children

Baptism of infants usually takes place within the first few weeks after birth. The faith of parents, at least one being Catholic, together with the intention to raise their child in the Catholic faith, is a necessary prerequisite for celebrating the sacrament. The 1980 Instruction on Baptism and Canon Law both call for catechesis for parents and godparents regarding the responsibility they take upon themselves when they present their children for baptism.

Christian Initiation of Adults – RCIA

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) involves preparation for and the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, which manifest the intimate relationship of these sacraments to one another. The process usually takes place within the context of a parish community or an intentional Catholic worshipping community, i.e. at a college or University. The dual foci of the RCIA for unbaptized adults are: the deepening conversion to Christ and full communion with the Church. The Rite also provides for the initiation of unbaptized children of catechetical age who will receive Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist together. Children who have reached the age of reason receive the three sacraments at the same time. 

Communion

Sacrament of the Eucharist

The Eucharist is the sacrament in which the Christian initiation reaches its culmination; for in and through this sacrament, Christians are fully joined to Christ. “The Eucharist is the ‘source and summit of the Christian life’. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesial ministries and works of the apostolates, are bound up with the Eucharist and are orientated toward it. For in the Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch”. … “In brief, 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.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324 and 1327. Therefore, communities and individuals preparing to celebrate the Eucharist and to receive Holy Communion should be mindful to hold the Blessed Sacrament in highest honor and to reverence the Sacrament with the greatest adoration. Genuflections, respectful silence and other signs of reverence for the Blessed Sacrament are appropriate recognitions of God’s mysterious gift of Christ for us in this Sacrament.

First Communion

The determination of readiness to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time is a primary responsibility of the pastor as well as the child’s parents and/or guardian(s). They are to see to it that children who have reached the use of reason are correctly prepared for and are nourished by Communion. Traditionally, children are prepared for reception of the Eucharist during second grade in their parish. Children first receive the Sacrament of Penance before receiving First Communion.

Eucharist Fast

The regulation for fasting is considered a means of spiritual preparation for receiving the Eucharist and a symbol of reverence for the Sacrament. The Eucharist Fast is limited to one hour before actually receiving the Eucharist. It pertains to solid food and all drinks, except water. Taking medicine does not break the fast. The fast applies to priests who celebrate the Mass and by the faithful, regardless of what time of day the Mass is celebrated and Communion is received. Those who are sick, in hospitals – even if not confined to bed – and those caring for the sick, may receive communion even if they have taken food during the previous hour.

Confirmation

Sacrament of Confirmation

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Confirmation is always celebrated within Mass to express more clearly the fundamental connection of this sacrament with the entirety of Christian initiation, which reaches its culmination in the Eucharist. Students in the Archdiocese of Chicago are to be confirmed during their Junior High or High School years. Adults who have not been confirmed should contact their parish priest in order to participate in a period of catechesis within the parish or a Vicariate Adult Confirmation program.

Confession

Advent Communal Penance Service

We invite you to set aside some time on Wednesday, December 18th at 7:00 PM for our annual Advent Communal Penance Service.

Even if you don’t feel the need to celebrate the Rite of Reconciliation individually on this night, you might want to come simply to find a quiet and prayerful time for yourself in the midst of the sometimes hectic preparations for the days of Christmastime.

Remember that the Sacrament of Penance is also celebrated every Saturday afternoon from 3:00 to 3:45 in one of the confessionals in the rear of church.

Confession

According to Church teaching, after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year. However, we are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Penance frequently, even monthly, throughout our lifetime so that we can benefit from the graces we obtain through reception of this sacrament.

First Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Penance is to precede First Eucharist. Formal instruction for Penance is to be separate and distinct from preparation for the reception of First Eucharist. The value of this practice is to catechize the children, from the age of reason, to the true Christian spirit of penance and conversion, to growth in self-knowledge and self-control, to a true sense of sin, even venial sin, to the necessity of asking pardon from God, and above all to a loving and confident abandonment to the mercy of the Lord. In no circumstances should a child receive First Eucharist without first having received the Sacrament of Penance.

Holy Orders

Sacrament of Holy Orders

"The whole Church is a priestly people. Through Baptism all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. This participation is called the ‘common priesthood of the faithful’. Based on this common priesthood and ordered to its service, there exists another participation in the mission of Christ: the ministry conferred by the sacrament of Holy Orders, where the task is to serve in the name and in the person of Christ the Head in the midst of the community." – Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1591

"The ministerial priesthood differs in essence from the common priesthood of the faithful because it confers a sacred power for the service of the faithful. The ordained ministers exercise their service for the People of God by teaching, divine worship, and pastoral governance." – Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1592.

"Since the beginning, the ordained ministry has been conferred and exercised in three degrees: that of bishops, that of presbyters, and that of deacons." – Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1593.

Marriage

Marriage

"The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman, establish between themselves a partnership of the whole 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." – Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1601.

Marriage Preparation

A couple wishing to marry should contact their parish priest or deacon no later than six months prior to the anticipated date of the wedding, earlier if possible. The purpose of this period of time is to involve the couple actively in a process through which they appreciate their readiness to marry and the nature of the sacrament for themselves and for the Church.