Christian Formation: Sacraments of the Church

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Sacraments of the Church: What are they and how do I receive them?

The sacraments are instituted by Jesus Christ as the means God uses to bring us to salvation.  The sacraments are visible signs and instruments of God’s invisible power and grace.  They make concrete the power of God in our lives. There are seven sacraments in the Catholic Church:

• The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
• The Sacraments of Healing:  Reconciliation (also known as Confession or Penance), and Anointing of the Sick
• The Sacraments of Vocation: Marriage and Holy Orders

Baptism

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20).

In Baptism we are born again by water and spirit to be forgiven of sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God.  Through this beautiful sacrament, we become members of the Church and share in its mission—to spread the Gospel through our lives in the world.  Baptism is only given once and imparts an indelible spiritual mark that can never be erased.

Catholics will most often be baptized as infants—when a baby is baptized the parents and godparents speak for the child, expressing the desire for baptism.  Infant baptism emphasizes Christ’s desire to “let the little ones come to me” and emphasizes the important role of family and community in our life of faith.

Some people are also baptized as adults through a special process called Rite of Christian initiation of Adults.  This beautiful journey introduces you to Christ and the faith community, who walks with you as you grow in faith and seek Baptism at Easter.

Interested in having your child baptized?
Congratulations on your new baby!  Those parents interested in having their child baptized at our parish must become registered members of the parish, or have permission from our parish and their home parish to have their child baptized here. For a first child, parents must attend a baptism prep session. Plan ahead! You are encouraged to begin the baptism preparation process before you have your baby.   You can spiritually prepare for your little one's arrival before his/her birth!

Baptism Preparation Sessions
For a first child, both parents must attend a baptism preparation session. These are held monthly on Monday evenings except in December. Sessions are held at Old Saint Mary Parish Center, 835 N. Milwaukee St., Milwaukee WI from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Here is a list of the upcoming sessions: 

Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, September, 26, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011

NO BAPTISM PREP IN DECEMBER

Are you an Adult interested in being baptized?
Every year adults are welcomed into the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). RCIA is the preparation process for people interested in being fully initiated into the Catholic Church. Through prayer, worship, classes on Catholic basics, and Bible study, members of the RCIA seek the living God and grow in faith together with the Three Holy Women Catholic parish community and worldwide Catholic Church.

The process begins in early September and runs through June. Celebration of Baptism and the other sacraments of initiation are held at the Easter Vigil.  

Call anytime during the year to get started or for more information.
The RCIA is a process of seeking and growth.  We invite you to check it out—you don’t have to be sure you want to finish the process to join us.  All interested people are welcome!

For more information, contact the parish office, 414-271-6577 or mbergemann@threeholywomen.org .

The Sacrament of Confirmation

“Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:14-17).

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a strengthening of the graces received in Baptism—just as the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles at Pentecost, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are strengthened in those who receive Confirmation, so that they are better able to witness to Christ in the world.  Confirmation completes our initiation into the Church and strengthens us for our Christian life.

Confirmation Preparation for Teens
Confirmation preparation for youth (those in high school) in our parish is done at Eastside Child and Youth Ministry (ESCYM).  For more information, contact Ralph Stewart at 414-263-8230 or escym@sbcglobal.net .
 
Adult Confirmation
For those adults already joined to Christ in Baptism and the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Confirmation deepens and strengthens our relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit.  It is the third "sacrament of intiation" that we receive, and is needed to serve as a godparent at a Catholic baptism.  This sacrament should be received before the Sacrament of Marriage if possible, and soon after marriage if it is impossible to do so beforehand.  This Sacrament imparts many spiritual gifts that help us live our Christian lives and be witnesses to Christ in the world.  

Preparation sessions to receive Confirmation as an adult in 2011 begin on Wednesday, January 19, 2011.  We meet approximately two Wednesday evenings per month for ten sessions from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Confirmation is celebrated on Pentecost Sunday, June 12th, 2011 at the Cathedral. The Adult Confirmation process is a great way to grow in faith and meet others from our community as you prepare for this wonderful sacrament.

For more information and to arrange a time to come to to the parish for a brief orientation and sign up meeting, contact the parish office, 414-271-6577. Please call and register before sessions begin!

The Holy Eucharist

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever;…he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and…abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:51, 54, 56).

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Church’s life.  In the Eucharist, the Church is joined to the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, partakes of Christ’s Body and Blood, and is brought into communion with Christ and one another.  In the Eucharist, the Lord is present in a true, real and substantial manner in his Body, Blood, soul and divinity.  Because Christ himself is present in this sacrament, it is to be honored with the worship of adoration.

For the guidelines on receiving communion, go to
http://www.nccbuscc.org/liturgy/current/intercom.shtml

Preparation for First Communion for Children

Parents interested in finding out more about First Communion for their children should call Ralph Stewart at East Side Child and Youth Ministry at 414-263-8230, or escym@sbcglobal.net .

Adults Seeking First Communion

Adults seeking to receive their First Communion should contact the parish office at 414-271-6577.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation 

(Penance or Confession)

“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week,” Jesus showed himself to his apostles. “He breathed on them, and said to them: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (Jn 20:19, 22-23).

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (also called “Confession” or “Penance”) is a beautiful encounter with our Lord and the Church, in which the mercy of God is poured out for us, and we received forgiveness for our sin.  Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God forgives our sin, and we also are reconciled with the entire Church.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation can be received on Saturdays at Holy Rosary Church, 2011 N. Oakland Ave., from 3:30 to 4:15, or by appointment.  To contact Fr. Tim or Fr. Brian, call the parish office at 414-271-6577.

Even if you are unsure about how to go to confession, or if it's been awhile since you've received it, we invite you to experience this sacrament of mercy!   The priest will help you through it as you are receiving it, and if you are unsure of how to proceed, simply ask! We also have provided some resources below to help you learn more about the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  What is most important in receiving Reconciliation is not simply knowing the order, but approaching God with sorrow for your sin,  desire for his mercy and forgiveness, and the intention to try to do better in the future.

Below you will find some guides to help walk you through the sacrament and explain more about it.  Click on the title to access the guides.

A Walk Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation Brochure

Preparation for First Reconciliation for Children

First Reconciliation preparation is done at East Side Child and Youth Ministry.  Contact Ralph Stewart at 414-263-8230 or escym@sbcglobal.net .

Anointing of the Sick

“Is any among you sick? Let him call the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15).

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick gives those experiencing the difficulties inherent in grave illness or advancement of years special grace and comfort.  Each time someone falls seriously ill, he or she is encouraged to receive this sacrament, and he or she may receive it again each time the illness worsens. The strength and peace of the Lord that may be received in this sacrament helps the ill to be united to Christ during their trials

Anointing of the Sick is given every first Friday of the month after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Hedwig.  Call the parish office if you seek anointing at other times, 414-271-6577.

“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament” (Gaudium et Spes, 48).

The Sacrament of Marriage is the sacrament by which a man and a woman pledge a lifelong commitment to one another, and which God joins them together by an unbreakable bond.  A couple discerns marriage over a period of time, and can come to see that God wills that they spend their lives together, helping one another grow in holiness and living in service to their family and the world.

The preparation process to receive the sacrament of marriage helps a couple grow in love for one another, and open their lives to God’s love and grace.

To be married at our parish, one or both of the couple must be registered, practicing members of Three Holy Women Catholic Parish.  If you are a member of another Catholic parish, a letter of parish membership and permission from your pastor is necessary. Other situations will be addressed by the pastor or associate pastor.

Each couple must meet with the pastor or associate pastor before a wedding date can be set.  

The preparation process also includes meeting with a parish FOCCUS couple, and attending an archdiocesan Engaged Enrichment Conference.

A FOCCUS couple is a married couple from our parish who you will be matched up with when your marriage date is set.  You will meet with them at least once before your wedding.

The Engaged Enrichment Conference for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is a day-long event during which the engaged couple explores and discusses the meaning of a sacramental marriage, and gains valuable tools for the road ahead.  For information on engage enrichment conferences and a link to the current brochure, click here.

For more information, please contact the parish office, 414-271-6577, or email Michele Bergemann at mbergemann@threeholywomen.org .

The Sacrament of 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: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry.  In includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and deaconate” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1536). 

The Sacrament of Holy Orders ordains those men who have been called by God to receive it to be a deacon, priest, or bishop.

For more information on vocations to the deaconate and priesthood in the Church, go to http://www.archmil.org/vocations/voc_opp.asp .