One of the highlights for those of us in the Formation Office is assisting parents in preparing their children for Sacraments, especially their first Reconciliation, first Communion and Confirmation. We provide a catechetical and formative approach to the preparation that strives to ensure that all our Sacraments are welcoming and exciting experiences.
Preparation for three of the Sacraments are a part of the Formation Office and follow these time-tables:
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Reconciliation: Fall preparation with a communal celebration in Advent.
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Communion: Winter/Spring preparation with celebrations in the Easter Season.
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Confirmation: Aligned with the rest of the Diocese of Rochester, preparation begins in 8th grade and spans two years with celebration at Sacred Heart Cathedral in the spring of the candidate’s 9th grade.
For more information on any of these Sacraments or to sign up for an interest list of the next round of preparation, please contact either Parish Office, or the Formation Team of Karen Luke (Reconciliation and Communion) and Anne Gallagher (Confirmation)
The Parish's pastoral team oversees preparation for the following Sacraments, see the individual pages for more details:
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Baptism
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Marriage
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Anointing of the Sick.
RCIA: Begins in the fall and culminates with the celebrations at the Easter Vigil.
Anyone who feels the Spirit is calling them to a religious life (either vowed religious or ordained ministry) can always talk to our pastor, Fr. Rob Bourcy, at either Parish Office. Inquiries can also be made to the Diocesan Office of Vocations.
The Seven Catholic Sacraments
The Latin word sacramentum means "a sign of the sacred." The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence. That's what theologians mean when they say that sacraments are at the same time signs and instruments of God's grace.
Baptism For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.
Eucharist Catholics believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. As we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.
Reconciliation The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Penance, or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness; as a result we are called to forgive others.
Confirmation Confirmation is a Catholic Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. It is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics. It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Marriage For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God's values.
Holy Orders In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.
Anointing of the Sick The Catholic Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction, is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical but also for mental and spiritual sickness.