Sacraments Print E-mail

Each sacrament is an outward sign established by Christ to confer an inward grace.  They are rites performed to convey God’s grace to the recipient, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness.  This sacrament is given to any member of the faithful.  They can receive the sacrament as soon as they begin to be in danger of death because of sickness or old age.  They can receive this sacrament several times if their illness becomes worse or another serious sickness afflicts them.  St. Joseph Parish will celebrate this sacrament communally four times each year, especially during the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent or any time by request.

 

Baptism
Baptism is the sacrament in which we are cleansed of sin and become members of the Body of Christ, the Church.  We are given a special sacramental grace and receive the virtues of faith, hope and love.

To view/print the Basic Guidelines for Baptism click on the link below.

icon Basic Guidelines for Baptism

 

Confirmation
Jesus promised to send us the Holy Spirit, and through the Sacrament of Confirmation, we receive many spiritual gifts.  Confirmation completes the sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) and incorporates the Christian into the full life of the Church.

 

Eucharist
The Sacrament of the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ instituted at the Last Supper by Jesus himself.  It is a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity and the paschal banquet.  The celebration of the Eucharist is the ritual action and chief act of worship in the Catholic Church.

 

Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament in which a bishop carries out the ordained ministry of the Church.  Deacons are ordained to a ministry of service, Word and charity.  Priests are ordained with the power to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass and bishops have the individual responsibility to care for a particular diocese and together care for the universal church.

 

Marriage
For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to another person.  It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and God’s values.  Matrimony is a sacrament and as such, it is a sign to the world of the invisible God living in our midst – the living God who bears fruit in the lives of two people.  They are a continual sign of His Power in the world.  There is special grace and power within every couple God has joined together.  Everything they do, singly or together, is a living out of their sacrament.  Please contact your parish priest before making any plans for marriage in the Church.

To view/print a guide for preparing for marriage in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois click on the link below.

icon  Engaged Couples Guide 

 

Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation offers a face-to-face encounter with the love and forgiveness of God.  Reconciliation, often called “Confession”, is the sign of God’s continuing love and forgiveness.  Reconciliation enables us to be reconciled to God, community, and self when we have fallen away by sin.  We alienate ourselves from ourselves because through sin we are not becoming all that we are created to become.  We are created in love and for love.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a powerful way to turn to God, to convert and thereby be reconciled to our loving God and is available weekly at scheduled times and by request.

 

Christian Initiation of Adults is offered for those wishing to enter into the full communion of our faith.

 

The Order of Christian Funerals
An outline of the Order of Christian Funerals is available to family and friends as a way of becoming active in the Funeral Rite of a loved one; we care for one another in life and death, and at the door of eternal life. The Parish also provides you this Outline in booklet form so that together we can help you plan your loved one's funeral Mass. With the help of one another and the Lord we can celebrate their life and all the promises of the Lord for all of His people.

This Outline and a Funeral Planner are available in pdf file fomat for viewing or printing by clicking on the links below.


icon Order of Christian Funerals

icon Funeral Planner

 

 
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