Sacraments

Sacraments are "powers that comes forth" from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant.
- CCC 1116

Baptism of Child (Birth to 7 years)

Parents promise in the Rite of Baptism to teach the child what it means to be Catholic, not only by attending Mass each Sunday and Holyday, but also by the way they live their life in the home.
Baptism is most fittingly celebrated during Mass on Sunday, so that the child's baptism may be celebrated by his/her family and extended church family, but may be celebrated outside of Mass if necessary.
Please contact the parish office to learn more about scheduling and preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism of Adult (7 years and older) / Rites of Christian Initiation (RCIA)

The Church requires that the person go through the Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), because that person has reached the age of reason, and can make decisions about their faith for him or herself. The RCIA is a set of rituals which gradually welcomes one into the Church, culminating in the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil. The RCIA is geared for persons who are not baptized, or whose baptism the Catholic Church does not accept. But sometimes it can also be used for baptized Christians who seek admission into the Church by a profession of faith, and who would also be confirmed. Please contact Amanda Williams at the parish office to learn more about RCIA.

"Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from the mercy of God for the offence committed against Him and are at the same time reconciled with the Church, which they have wounded by their sins, and which by charity, example, and prayer seeks their conversion."
- Lumen Gentium 11

Pope_Francis_2_goes_to_Confession_during_a_penitential_celebration_at_St_Peters_Basilica_M

Making a Confession

"Penance requires ... the sinner to endure all things willingly, be contrite of heart, confess with the lips, and practice complete humility and fruitful satisfaction." - CCC 1450
A time of contemplative prayer and an examine of conscience should occur prior to arriving for confession.

Examination of Conscience

Confession Times

First Confession

Preparation for this sacrament begins when the parents and the pastor together have agreed that the child has reached the age of reason; this age will vary for each child. It is generally combined with the preparation for their First Holy Communion. This preparation can be either a parish catechesis program, a Catholic School religious formation, or a homeschool program.
If you have a child interested in making their first confession, or if you are a baptized Catholic adult interested in making your First Confession, contact the parish office.

"The sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For 'by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed."
- CCC 1285

Confirmation

Preparation for this sacrament begins when the parents and the pastor together have agreed that the child has reached an age where she/he is ready, while filled with the Holy Spirit, to more publicly live the faith, by both spreading and defending it. This preparation can be either a parish catechesis program, a Catholic School religious formation, or a homeschool program. Confirmations typically take place in the spring with a visit from our Bishop, and will be combined with other local parishes. If you have a child interested in making their Confirmation, or if you are a baptized Catholic adult interested in being confirmed, contact the parish office.

"The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament."
- CCC 1601

Preparation for Marriage

When one finds a person whom they want to marry, spend their lives serving, and with whom they are willing to be open to life, and after they have become engaged, they should contact Fr. Anthony to set up a wedding date. No wedding date will be formalized until the couple has met with Fr. Anthony and he has ensured they are free to marry each other. The couple needs to meet with Fr. Anthony at least 9 months before their desired wedding date.
St. Matthew has a marriage preparation program which is educational, formational, and requires the engaged couple to meet with a married couple. These are not hoops to jump through, as we hope to prepare the couple not only for the wedding day, but for a lifelong happy and holy marriage.

The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church's life, for in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once for all on the cross to his Father; by this sacrifice he pours out the graces of salvation on his Body which is the Church. - CCC 1407

Receiving the Eucharist

At Mass, before coming up to receive communion please be aware of the following: In order to receive the Eucharist you must be a baptized Catholic. You must be in a state of grace and have been through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (i.e. not be aware of any unconfessed mortal sins). You must observe a fast for at least one hour before receiving the Eucharist, only taking in water and necessary medication.

First Communion

Preparation for this sacrament begins when the parents along with the pastor have agreed that the child has reached the age of reason; this age will vary for each child. It is generally combined with the preparation for their First Confession. This preparation can be either a parish catechesis program, a Catholic School religious formation, or a homeschool program.
If you have a child interested in making their First Communion, or if you are a baptized Catholic adult interested in making your First Communion, contact the parish office.

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.
- CCC 1536

Formation for the Priesthood or Diaconate

Those men interested in a vocation to the diaconate or priesthood should contact Fr. Anthony about their vocation.
All parishioners should support this by their prayers, and by recommending, either to the person himself or to Fr. Anthony those they think would be good deacons or priests.

"By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ."
- CCC 1499

Anointing of the Sick or Last Rites?

Many people use Anointing of the Sick and Last Rites interchangeably. However, they are not interchangeable. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is for those who are seriously ill (they need not be dying) as soon as they become seriously ill. The person should contact Fr. Anthony to arrange a time and place for the celebration of this sacrament (Fr. Anthony can go to one's house or the hospital room, in addition to the celebration of the sacrament at the parish).
Last Rites are the sacraments of Penance and Anointing of the Sick, as well as Viaticum (the Eucharist for the dying). This is done, as much as possible, when a person is dying and will no longer recuperate, but does not need to be at the last hours of life (there are separate prayers for that called the Prayers for the Dying). As soon as the person begins the pilgrimage towards death and there is no cure for the illness, the person him or herself or the family should contact Fr. Anthony to arrange for the celebration of the Last Rites.
When the person is within the last hours of life, Fr. Anthony can also come again and pray the Prayers for the Dying.

Sacraments

Sacraments are "powers that comes forth" from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant. - CCC 1116

Baptism of Child (Birth to 7 years)

Baptism of Adult (7 years and older) / Rites of Christian Initiation (RCIA)

Sacraments are "powers that comes forth" from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant.
- CCC 1116