Jesus replied “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
John 3:5
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.” John 6:53
The Sacrament of Baptism has several purposes. It infuses sanctifying grace, which makes the new Christian a child of God, and applies the merits of Jesus Christ (his suffering and death for sins) to him or her personally. It washes away original sin, the sin of disobedience committed by Adam and Eve. It joins the new Catholic with the faith community of the parish, the diocese, and the Roman Catholic Church at large.
Baptism is only required once, and the Church recognizes Baptism from a number of other faiths as valid sacraments.
At least one parent needs to be a registered, active and practicing Catholic for at least six months. Baptisms usually scheduled for the second Sunday of the month. A Baptismal Preparation Class is required for both parents and godparents. The church requires that at least one of the godparents be an active and practicing Catholic. If you have questions or would like to arrange for a Baptism, please contact the parish office /contact-us
Communion allows the believer to be united with Christ by sharing His body and blood. The Holy Eucharist refers to the consecrated bread and wine consumed by Catholics during Communion. When believers receive Holy Communion, they are intimately united with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. By taking Holy Communion, the Catholic is also expressing their union with all Catholics who believe the same doctrines, obey the same laws, and follow the same leaders.
Children are old enough to receive First Holy Communion when they know and believe that it is not bread or wine they are receiving, but the real body and blood of Jesus Christ. Preparation for First Holy Communion usually occurs in the second grade in Religious Education classes. First Penance (going to confession for the first time) must come before First Communion. If you have questions, please contact Religious Education Director Sandy Acord /staff, or Father Bogdan Milosz /staff, our parish priest.
The sacrament of Confirmation completes the process of initiation into the Catholic community. At Confirmation, young adults (usually in the ninth grade) are considered old enough to renew the promises made on their behalf at their Baptism by their parents and godparents. The Holy Spirit comes upon them, just as it did at Pentecost. The sacrament is called Confirmation because the faith given in Baptism is now confirmed and made strong.
Adult converts to Catholicism may be baptized, confirmed, and receive their First Communion at the same time, usually at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday. Preparation for this process may occur during RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes. For more information go to: /rcia