Sacraments
Holy Matrimony
This sacrament, seen as a sign of the love uniting Christ and His Church, establishes between the spouses a permanent and exclusive bond, sealed by God. Matrimony confers on the married couple the grace needed for attaining holiness in their married life and for responsible acceptance and upbringing of their children. This matrimonial covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament. Arrangements must be made at least 6 months in advance. Please call the Rectory to schedule your first marriage instruction class with Father Slaton.
Baptism
"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to Life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission. Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." (CCC 1213).
The Registration Form and Sponsor Forms must both be completed to start the baptism process for your child(ren) to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
Note: arrangements must be made at least 1 month in advance, and parents must attend a Baptismal class.
NOTE: If you are an adult seeking the Sacrament of Baptism for yourself, please contact the Rectory to learn about our Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) program.
Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the first of two sacraments of healing. Different names have been attributed to the sacrament, such as sacrament of conversion, penance, confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation; each term emphasizing a different element of the sacrament.
Reconciliation is the sacrament of spiritual healing of a baptized person from the distancing from God as a result of sin. Jesus gave his disciples power and authority to reconcile us to the Father. They received Jesus' own power to forgive sins when he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
-John 20:22-23
Weekly Reconciliation if on Saturday mornings at 10:30am, or by appointment.
First Communion
At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of His Body and Blood. The Eucharist perpetuates the sacrifice of the cross, entrusted to His beloved Spouse, the Church. The bread and wine are transformed in their inner reality, though not in appearance, into the Body and Blood of Christ, and change called "transubstantiation". God's Old Testament people ate the Passover lamb. Now we must eat the Lamb that is the Eucharist. Jesus said, "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you."
-John 6:53
If you are homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion at home please contact Kathy Stofka at (734)755-5129.
Confirmation
Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation". Even though Jesus' disciples received grace before His Resurrection, on Pentecost the Holy Spirit came to strengthen them with new graces for the difficult work ahead. They went out and preached the gospel fearlessly and carried out the mission Christ had given them. Confirmation confirms and strengthens baptismal grace. Confirmation releases the gift of the Holy Spirit, marking the recipient with a seal, just as on Pentecost.
Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick is the second sacrament of healing. In this sacrament, the priest anoints the sick with oil blessed specifically for that purpose. The Anointing of the Sick can be administered to any member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, is in danger due to illness or old age. A new illness or worsening of the health enables a person to receive the sacrament a further time. By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priest, the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them.
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to His apostles continues to be exercised in the Catholic Church until the end of time. Holy orders is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees of men dedicated to be an image of Christ: episcopate (bishop), presbyterate (priest), and diaconate (deacon). These men are empowered to serve the Church and God's people, especially through preaching and the administration of the sacraments. Religious and Priesthood vocations may be discerned with our parish priest.