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ADULTS |
| SACRAMENTS |
BaptismBaptism is the first of the seven sacraments, the “door” which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism brings us into the community of believers, the Church. We are united with Christ and raised to the dignity of being children of God, blessed with the gift of faith. The newly baptized obtains forgiveness of all sins and is given a new life of grace. Through the symbolic action of immersion in or pouring on of water, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus and are thus made aware that through this sacrament we die to our old selves and rise to a new life in Christ. Infant baptism expresses the faith of the parents and the community that surrounds the child. Baptism is an important step for a family. Our program is designed to help the family prepare for the sacrament by sharing important information about the sacrament itself, the meaning of the rite and its symbols, as well as giving the family a chance to meet and interact with other St. Francis Xavier parents. Our program is designed to enrich the family's experience of the sacrament of Baptism, one we hope families will enjoy and benefit from. Families seeking to have their child baptized should contact the Rectory to obtain information about the program. A package of information will be waiting for you after your call. Once you have reviewed the materials, you are invited to attend a Welcome Meeting, conducted on the first Wednesday evening of every month. During that meeting, members of the Parish Baptism Committee will review the program with you and answer any questions you might have. On the second Wednesday evening of the month, parents will attend a meeting with parish clergy and committee members to learn more about the sacrament and discuss experiences in sharing faith with your child. Baptisms will be held on the fourth Sunday of the month. Please be aware that Baptisms are not conducted during Advent, Lent, July or August. For more information or if you wish to join the Baptism Preparation Committee, please contact Diana Justice or Donna Ganson through the rectory office. For adult baptisms, see the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process. The sacrament of Confirmation seals one with the Holy Spirit and confirms one’s baptism. During the ritual, one is anointed with oil and “sealed with the gifts of the Spirit.” Through this sacrament, Christ gives a fuller outpouring of the Holy Spirit so that a person has a deepened power to maturely understand and profess one’s faith. Confirmation strengthens an individual to live out his or her baptismal promises and prepares the individual for the missionary dimension of the commitment one makes in baptism. St. Francis Xavier offers Confirmation preparation programs for children and adults. For information, contacts the Religious Education Office. The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ under the appearances of bread and wine. It is the center of the life of the Church and of each Christian, a source of unity. The Eucharist is also a sacrifice – a memorial of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. Jesus gives himself in the Eucharist to nourish us for the work of building the Kingdom of God here on earth, as well as for our personal growth. In the Eucharist, we share fully in the Body and Blood of Christ, really present to us. For children wishing to receive their first Holy Communion, contact the Religious Education Office. Adults wishing to receive Eucharist for the first time, please see the RCIA (rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process. The sacramental celebration in which, through god’s mercy and forgiveness, the sinner is reconciled with God and also with the Church, Christ’s Body, which is wounded by sin. – from the Glossary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church Reconciliation is offered each Saturday from 4:30 pm to 4:45 pm or anytime by appointment with a priest. The Anointing of the Sick was, for some centuries, restricted to cases of extreme illness. This special anointing (unction) was reserved and became transformed into the “Last Rites.” While there are still last rites in the Church in a manner of speaking, that is to say, Viaticum (Eucharist given for the journey), the Anointing for the Sick has regained its place as a sacrament of healing. The Anointing of the Sick is not for minor illnesses. Instead, the sacrament is bestowed when prudent judgment indicates that a person is seriously ill, of advanced years so as to be significantly debilitated, or when a pre-existing illness becomes graver. The sacrament may be given to those undergoing surgery and even to children if they are seriously ill. A Mass of Anointing of the Sick is celebrated on the first Saturday each month at 9 AM or you may arrange an appointment with one of the priests to receive the sacrament before entering the hospital or at other times of serious illness. For emergencies please call for a priest any time, at (718) 638-1881. A covenant or partnership of life between a man and woman, which is ordered to the well-being of the spouses and to the procreation and upbringing of children. When validly contracted between two baptized people, marriage is a sacrament (Matrimony). – from the Glossary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church Marriages must be arranged AT LEAST SIX MONTHS in advance by appointment with a priest or deacon. Holy OrdersThe Sacrament of Apostolic Ministry by which the mission entrusted by Christ to his Apostles continues to be exercised in the Church through the laying on of hands. This sacrament has three distinct degrees or “orders”: deacon, priest, and bishop. All three confer a permanent, sacramental character. – from the Glossary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
If you are interested in exploring the sacrament of Holy Orders, please contact the Rectory.
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