CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENTS

In the Catholic Church, we mark seven sacraments by which we celebrate our encounters with God through Jesus Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit. These sacraments are Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Marriage, Holy Orders, Penance and Anointing of the Sick.
The celebration of these sacraments helps to build up the Body of Christ on earth, to make us holy, and to give fitting praise and worship to God. The sacraments “presuppose faith, but by words and objects, they also nourish, strengthen and support it” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1116).

BAPTISM OF CHILDREN:

Baptism is the first of the Sacraments of Initiation through which we welcome a new member into the life of the Catholic community. Baptisms are scheduled monthly following the 10:30 a.m. Mass or, in certain cases, during one of the parish weekend Masses. Please contact Deacon Bob Potvin to schedule baptismal preparation and the date of Baptism.

FIRST PENANCE AND FIRST COMMUNION:

Children may begin to prepare for First Penance and First Communion at about the age of 7. The parish policy requires that all children enrolled in public schools will participate in the first year catechetical program before beginning preparation for their First Communion. Children enrolled in Catholic schools join in the catechetical program on Sunday mornings during the 8:30 a.m. Mass. Both First Penance and First Communion are celebrated during the second year of catechesis. First Penance is generally celebrated on a Saturday morning during the month of March; First Communion is celebrated at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on the second Sunday of May.

BAPTISM OF ADULTS AND OLDER CHILDREN:

Adults (18 years of age and older) interested in becoming Catholics participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Children and teenagers (ages 7-17) wishing to become Catholic participate in this rite, but adapted accordingly for their age. Catechumens (those to be baptized) and candidates (those baptized in another Christian tradition) participate in the rites appropriate to them, catechetical sessions, and dismissal discussions during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass leading to full initiation at the Easter Vigil.

PENANCE:

The Sacrament of Penance offers us the opportunity to be freed from our sins and to be restored to full communion with God and the community. The Sacrament of Penance is celebrated in the Chapel each Saturday from 2:45-3:30 p.m. and 6:45-7:00 p.m. During Lent, confessions are also heard following Stations of the Cross on Fridays. There are also deanery wide communal services during Advent and Lent.

CONFIRMATION:

Confirmation is counted among the three sacraments of initiation, the other two being Baptism and Eucharist. One of the chief characteristics of the sacrament is the anointing with the Sacred Chrism which, according to the Catechism, enriches the person “with a special strength of the Holy Spirit,” and is “obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed” (1285). The Cathedral program is a two-year program and is joined by the students of Saint Anne-Saint Augustine parish in Manchester. Classes are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

MARRIAGE:

Marriage is the covenant relationship between man and woman whereby the couple commit themselves to one another for the entirety of their lives. It is a sacrament because it symbolizes the everlasting love of God for His people. Please see the Cathedral policy concerning the sacrament of Marriage. Cathedral Policy Book

ANOINTING OF THE SICK:

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated with those who are chronically ill, preparing for surgery, or for the elderly whose physical condition undergoes a change. The sacrament is intended to give healing, comfort and strength in times of debilitating illness. We encourage families to celebrate this sacrament early on at the outset of sickness. There are two communal celebrations of the Anointing of the Sick at the 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass annually as well as twice each year in the high rise apartments.