Pastoral Services :: Sacraments

TO REMEMBER  

Baptism is the sacrament of new life. It is the entrance gate and foundation of the whole Christian existence. It is a sign of faith and conversion, of turning one’s life towards Jesus Christ. Baptism brings the task of a lifelong growth and maturation in the faith, through Baptism we are received into the church community, we belong to her.

The sacrament of Confirmation develops, strengthens and completes what has begun in Baptism. We claim the power of the Holy Spirit who was bestowed on us in Baptism. The anointment and the laying on of hands, symbolizes taking possession, (Gods Holy Spirit enters into our whole being and takes possession of us) but also blessing and commissioning. “Go forth!”

The Eucharist, sacrament of unity and love, is the source and culmination of Christian life. “Thanksgiving to the Father”

Through him, with him and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours Almighty Father, forever and ever. AMEN

The sacrament of Reconciliation is the grace of being allowed to begin anew. It is a fundamental change of direction a turning awayfromevil and turning toward God. “Your sins are forgiven” The home coming of the prodigal son.

Anointing of the Sick

Lay on hands was practiced by Jesus himself with the sick and he entrusted it to the apostles. It is a sign of sympathy, of comfort and of encouragement. It is a gesture of blessing that symbolize the salvation bestowed by the sacrament. The anointing is connected with prayer in the name of the Lord; it points symbolically to the deliverance and the raising up of the sick by God. The healing is of the whole person, body mind and soul, through the forgiveness of sins.

The sacrament of Holy Orders:

“Jesus went up to the mountain and summoned the ones he had chosen, they came and followed him. He named twelve as his companions whom he would send to preach the good news.”

Jesus calls his followers to a special personal communion with him. He sends them to preach and to heal. The Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Consecrate men and women.

The sacrament of Matrimony and the defining of a Sacramental Marriage

Marriage and family are counted among the most precious of human goods. Families are the basic cells of human society. The love between man and wife is an image of the unconditional love of God for every human person.

The sacramental sign of matrimony is the free personal act be which the partners surrender themselves to each other. The priest who assists the wedding receives the consent of the spouses in the name of the church and blesses them.