Sacraments

Baptism

 

Scheduling: Parents wishing to have their baby baptized in our Catholic faith community should be participating members of the parish here. Please call the office to schedule the date and time. Baptisms are scheduled during masses on designated weekends. Private baptisms are usually scheduled for 12:30 PM on Sundays. Arrangements can be made by calling the office.

Preparation: First time parents must attend a baptism preparation class, usually held on the Second Sunday of the Month following the 11:00am Mass. Please call the office to make a reservation for the class you are planning to attend.

What are the requirements to be a godparent?  A godparent must be a confirmed, Catholic Christian who is at least 16 years of age, and who faithfully practices and believes in the Catholic faith as a participating member of a parish community.

How many godparents should there be? Church law only requires you to have one godparent; however, it has been tradition to have two. If you choose only one godparent, you are free to choose a male or a female. However, if you wish to have two godparents, there must be one male and one female.

Can the same godparents have responsibility for more than one child in the same family? Yes, as long as they take seriously their responsibility and intention to help the children grow in faith.

Can a non-Catholic serve as a godparent? A baptized, non-Catholic may serve as an “Christian Witness” to the baptism, only if the other godparent is a proper Catholic sponsor who fully meets all requirements of a godparent. The non-Catholic who is selected as a witness should be an active and participating member of his/her church community. During the baptism, a non-Catholic witness may perform all the parts of the ceremony that a godparent does. His or her name will be entered into the Sacrament Record Book as an “official witness”, together with the name of the godparent.  Note: a baptized Catholic who is not confirmed cannot serve as a godparent or witness.

What is the difference between a godparent and a witness? Canon (Church) Law describes a witness as “A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community.” A godparent is a confirmed, practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.

Can someone serve as godparent by proxy (stand-in) if the godparent is unable to participate in the baptism ceremony? If a godparent cannot attend the baptism ceremony, a proxy can stand in the place of the missing godparent. The proxy must meet all the requirements of the godparent whose place they are taking.  The name of that person will be entered as “proxy” in the Sacramental Record Book, along with the name of the missing godparent.

First Communion & Reconciliation
 

Children in first grade begin preparing for the sacrament of first Eucharist and first reconciliation. Completion of a first grade religious education program is required in order to prepare for these sacraments. A copy of your child’s baptismal certificate is required unless your child was baptized a St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Please contact the religious education office.  See the contact us page for e-mail and phone information.

 

Confirmation
 

Preparation for Confirmation has two main components. The first involves classroom instruction, retreats, workshops and service projects. Candidates are required to attend and actively participate. The second includes direct preparation for the sacrament. Completion of the Religious Education curriculum for grades 1-8 is expected for anyone wishing to enter the Confirmation program. Special make-up sessions will be provided if needed. Candidates who have met all requirements will be confirmed in the spring of their sophomore year of high school.

Marriage

Marriages at St. Elizabeth are a welcome and beautiful celebration of the covenantal love of a husband and wife.  Please contact the main office six months ahead of the wedding date to make arrangements. Preparation includes meetings with the pastor and Diocesan Pre-Cana class.

Anointing of the Sick

The Anointing of the Sick is administered to bring spiritual, emotional and physical strength during an illness, before surgery, and near the time of death.  As a  Sacrament, it confers the grace of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

For further information or to request the Sacrament of Anointing, please contact the office.

RCIA - Adults becoming Catholic or making Sacraments

RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Have you ever thought about becoming Catholic? Do you want to find out more regarding the Catholic Church and its beliefs? Then RCIA is the perfect place for you to learn more about responding to God’s call and finding answers to all your questions. Click here.