The Roman Catholic Church recognizes seven holy sacraments as sacred channels of divine grace, established by Christ. Each sacrament is marked by a visible rite that symbolizes its invisible spiritual significance. While some sacraments are received only once, others call for continuous participation to nurture the celebrant’s "living faith."
Baptism
Baptismal grace is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins; it is birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ, and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ. ~CCC 1279.
Infant Baptism
Infant Baptism (infants and children under the age of 7) is the normative way to begin the initiation of children into the Church.
Parents Should:
- Contact their parish as soon as possible after the birth of their child
- Register with the parish if not already registered.
- Complete Baptism Information form
- Bring the child’s birth certificate]
- Attend the Baptismal preparation presentation
- Make a Donation: While we do not ever want this to be an obstacle to a baptism, preparing for a sacrament takes many staff hours. We ask that you prayerfully consider donating to the Church and the presiding priest at the Baptism.
Godparents Should:
- Fulfill the Godparent/Requirements (Download Godparent Requirements)
- Complete the Baptism/Sponsor Covenant form (Download Covenant Form)
Adult Baptism
Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church, enter the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Their formation prepares them to receive all three initiation sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Rather than compressing the stages of conversion into a single ritual associated with the moment of baptism, the RCIA process is supported by four periods of instruction and the celebration of three liturgical rites. The RCIA process ideally extends through a complete liturgical year to allow sufficient time for instruction in the truths of the faith and Christian life.
- Adults baptized in another faith tradition are also part of the RCIA process.
- Adults baptized Catholic who have not received instruction are also part of the RCIA process.
- RCIA participants are required to have a godparent/sponsor. The qualifications for the godparent/ sponsor are the same as listed in the Infant Baptism section. They will also need to complete a Godparent/Sponsor Covenant Form.
For more information About RCIA, contact Deacon Frank Jones; Deacon.Frank.Jones@DeaconsDOR.org
Reconciliation
Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church. For this reason, conversion entails both God's forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which is expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. ~ Catechism of the Catholic Church §1440
The Sacrament consists of four parts:
- The examination of conscience
- The confessing of sins to the priest
- The absolution and contrition
- The completion of the penance given by the priest
"Regular participation in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation and the confession of venial sins helps us to form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ, and progress in the life of the Spirit” ~CCC §1458.
Church law states, “After having attained the use of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” ~CCC §1457.
Holy Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, the Lord’s own sacrifice. In the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church namely, Christ himself. It is communion in the divine life. It is the culmination of God’s action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship offered to Christ. It is the sum and summary of our faith. The Eucharist completes the Christian Initiation.
~ Catechism of the Catholic Church §1407
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.
The liturgical action of the Eucharist is also traditionally known as the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is central to our Christian faith. Holy Communion has a complete form as a sign when it is received under both species of bread and wine. Catholics are encouraged to receive the Holy Eucharist regularly.
First Holy Communion
Any baptized Catholic child who has reached the age of reason (7 years of age and attended religious education classes in the first grade and is now in the second grade) is eligible to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist, usually referred to as First Communion.
Requirements
- Parents must provide proof that the child was baptized in the Catholic Church
- The child must attend a preparation program provided at the parish
- Parents are the primary educators of children in the Catholic faith and should take an active part in First Communion preparation
- The child will also be prepared to receive First Reconciliation
For more information, contact the Parish Office or Kathy Masters, Director of Religious Education; kathleenmasters918@gmail.com
Confirmation
Confirmation is one of the Initiation sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist).
Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit that brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace.
- It unites us more firmly to Christ.
- It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- It renders a perfect bond with the Church.
- It gives us the special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith.
Every baptized person who is not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation.
Adolescent Confirmation
Adolescents who were baptized as an infant or toddler receive Confirmation generally 14-16 years of age. The Bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation. A recent baptismal certificate is required so the reception of the sacrament can be duly recorded at their church of baptism.
Adult Confirmation
Adults seeking Confirmation should contact the parish for the dates and times of the adult Confirmation program. Adults can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at their parish celebration of the sacrament.
The Confirmation Sponsor Covenant form can be found here.
For further information concerning Adult Confirmation, please contact Deacon Frank Jones; Deacon.Frank.Jones@DeaconsDOR.org
Matrimony
The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life.
~ Catechism of the Catholic Church §1661
- Contact the Parish Office at least 6 months before the proposed marriage date.
- The couple should be registered at the parish. If not, please fill out the Parish Registration form
- The couple should receive appropriate education and pastoral preparation through participation in a marriage preparation program approved by the Diocese of Raleigh. Please, register at Catholic Marriage Prep https://www.catholicmarriageprep.com/register (standard option; fee required).
- Baptized Catholics should present a recently issued, annotated baptismal certificate.
- Baptized non-Catholics should present satisfactory proof of baptism and freedom to marry form.
- Unbaptized persons should present satisfactory proof of freedom to marry.
Holy Orders
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.
There are three degrees of ordination:
- Episcopate-Bishop
- Presbyterate-Priest
- Diaconate-Deacon
A deacon can be transitional, a step in the process of ordination to the priesthood, or a permanent deacon, which can be conferred on (married) men who are ordained to ministry and service.
For information on the Priesthood, contact the Diocese of Raleigh Office of Vocations: ncpriest.org
Anointing of the Sick
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” ~ CCC 1499.
The anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, having reached the age of reason whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age.
The sacrament can be repeated if the sick person recovers and then becomes gravely ill or if the condition becomes graver during the same illness (CCC 1004).
Viaticum is the Eucharist received by a dying person. It is the spiritual food for the journey to the Father. Communion as Viaticum constitutes the last sacraments of the Christian (CCC 1524). Church law states, “After having attained the use of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” (CCC 1457)
Please call the Parish Office at 252.415.0101 to request the sacrament of the sick for yourself or a loved one with their permission.
If you, or a loved one, are near death and would like to receive the sacrament, please contact the Parish Office (252.415.0101) or the Pastor (252.415.0263) as soon as possible to arrange a time.
The Lord is in His Holy Temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him. Hab 2:20
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