When should I celebrate my sacraments?
The sacraments are an essential part of our faith. The visible actions and words bring about the invisible graces of God into our hearts. Below is an overview of when different sacraments are typically celebrated for the first. While these are the usual ages, many circumstances and life situations can cause sacraments to be put off or delayed. If that is the case, the staff at Holy Name are more than happy to work with you and provide the proper preparation.
Baptism
Baptism welcomes us into God’s family and claims us as Christ’s sisters and brothers. We are cleansed of our sins and begin our life in Christ. It is the current Catholic practice to baptize infants. If you or your child needs to be baptized, please reach out to us to begin the journey.
Reconciliation (Confession)
Embracing God’s mercy, we reconcile ourselves to God and the Church. If it has been awhile and you would like some resources about going to Confession, click here. If you have been baptized in a Catholic or other Christian church, please contact us and we will help you prepare for your first Confession. For children 2nd-8th grade, this takes place as part of our Generations of Faith.
First Communion
The Holy Eucharist, also known as Communion, is called the “source and summit of our faith.” Here we draw to the table of the Lord and receive the bread from Heaven. Prior to celebrating first Communion, there is preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). For children in 2nd-8th grade this takes place as part of our Generations of Faith. If you are above the age of 14 and have been baptized in a Catholic church or other Christian church, please reach out to us and we will customize your path towards celebrating your first Confession and Communion.
Confirmation
In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are sealed in us in a very special way. To be be a godparent, a person must have celebrated their Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. In addition, to be a godparent, their marriage must be recognized by the Catholic church, if godparent is married. If your child is between 2nd and 8th grade, Confirmation preparation takes part in together with Generations of Faith. If older than 14, please reach out for us and again, we will customize your path towards celebrating the sacrament.
Marriage
To be married in a Catholic church, one person must be Catholic. The Catholic bride/groom should also be registered at a Catholic church and Catholic wedding prep is to be completed by the couple before the wedding.
What is a “Catholic Marriage?”
A marriage is valid in the eyes of the Church if it is conducted by a Catholic priest or deacon unless special permission is granted beforehand. A valid Catholic marriage is required in order to be a godparent for Baptism or Confirmation, if the godparent is married.
What if I was not married in a Catholic church?
Reach out to us and we will be happy to start the process called convalidation. The process ends with a priest or deacon blessing your marriage. Note, only one spouse needs to be Catholic for this.
Anointing of the Sick
This sacrament is not reserved for those who are dying but rather is for anyone who is sick, going for surgery, or has seen a decline in health. The Anointing of the Sick gives us a spiritual boost to help us in our weekend bodies. If you or a loved one would like to be anointed, contact the parish office.
Holy Orders
The Sacrament of Holy Orders relates to those who are deacons, priests, and bishops. For those who have felt a calling to these ministries, contact us and we would be happy to connect you with Fr. Patrick or one of our deacons.