The Sacraments
Christ instituted seven Sacraments to aid us in this life and to give us the grace needed to remain faithful. The Church groups them into three sets. The Sacraments of Initiation, which include Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation, are the foundations for Christian life. The Sacraments of Healing, which include Confession and Anointing of the Sick, provide for spiritual and physical healing and give us the strength to endure. Finally, the Sacraments at the Service of Communion, which include Matrimony and Holy Orders, prepare us to live a virtuous life in service to the Church and to God.
Please contact us if you are in need of any of the Sacraments.
If you are not yet Catholic, we welcome you to read our Becoming Catholic page.
If you are seeking the current First Sacraments Prep Calendar, click here.
The Sacraments of Initiation
“You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as children of the light.”
Baptism
Baptism is the first step in our lives as Christians, and the first Sacrament of Christian Initiation. Through the waters of Baptism, we are washed of all sin and given new life in Christ.
First-time expectant parents are to attend a one-time Sacrament of Baptism Preparation Class that is offered monthly throughout the year within our family of parishes prior to their child receiving the Sacrament. Godparents are encouraged to attend.
Upcoming classes:
Sunday, April 28th, 6:30pm-St. Michael - St. Mike’s Place
Sunday, May 19th, 7:00pm - Sacred Heart - Church Basement
Sunday, June 9th, 1:00pm - Holy Angels - Second Floor Conference Room
Sunday, July 28th, 1:00pm - St. Michael - St. Mike’s Place
Sunday, August 18th, 7:00pm - Sacred Heart - Church Basement
For more information and to register, please call 937-498-2307.
The Sacrament of Baptism is offered most weekends at each of our parishes following the Saturday evening Mass or the last Mass on Sunday. To schedule the Sacrament of Baptism for your child, please call 937-498-2307.
Eucharist
First Communion celebrates the first time that a member of the Church receives the Eucharistic Body and Blood of Christ.
The preparation for this sacrament begins in the family. The formal preparation for first communion takes place during the first and second grade school years. Immediate preparation takes place during the second grade year.
First Eucharist is celebrated in May.
Confirmation
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, we complete our initiation into the Church and receive the fullness of the Baptismal graces that began at Baptism and increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Immediate preparation for Confirmation ordinarily occurs during the 8th Grade school year. It is usually celebrated in the spring of each year with the Archbishop or his representative presiding.
Sacraments of Service
“May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment.”
Holy Orders
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is a Sacrament of apostolic ministry, and by this Sacrament, men are ordained to serve the Church in the orders of the Diaconate, Presbyterate (priesthood), and the Episcopate (bishops).
While the Catholic Church only ordains celibate men to the priesthood, the Church also has a thriving Permanent Diaconate program, where married men serve as Deacons in their local parishes, assist at Mass, and baptize and celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Closely related to Holy Orders are religious orders where both men and women who are called to give their lives in service to the Church are formed, often taking vows of celibacy, poverty, and obedience.
For more information on these vocations, please contact the Archdiocesan Vocations Director.
Holy Matrimony
The Church asks every couple seeking the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony to have a minimum of six months of engagement before their wedding day. Please contact the parish office at least six months before the desired date to submit a request and to begin the Witness to Love Marriage Preparation Program. This time of preparation helps to prepare engaged couples for the commitment of the Sacrament. With the direction of the parish priest, the program uses a team of married couples, called mentor couples, who work with the engaged couple one-on-one. To begin this process, please call 937-498-2307.
No date for a wedding will be confirmed until the engaged couple has met with the priest or deacon.
Please click on the below links for more information.
Sacraments of Healing
“May God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit...”
Confession
In the Sacrament of Confession, we celebrate God's mercy and forgiveness. If we have sinned mortally, we are reunited with the Church, and given the grace to persevere through our trials and temptations in this life. All Catholics are encouraged to go frequently to Confession, but are required by the Precepts of the Church to make at least one Confession a year.
The formal preparation for the Sacrament begins in first grade. The immediate preparation takes place in second grade. First Reconciliation is celebrated on several Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. during Advent. The sacrament is celebrated with the children’s class and includes the children with their parents.
Anointing of the Sick
Throughout the life of Jesus, we see Him ministering compassionately to the sick and those in need. Over one hundred men and women have been trained and commissioned to bring Holy Communion to the sick and those in need. Holy Communion is brought every day to Catholic patients in Wilson Memorial Hospital by our Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist.
If you or a loved one is being admitted to the hospital, be sure to inform the hospital staff that you want your name on the list for pastoral visits or you could be missed. Holy Communion is distributed weekly at the four local nursing homes and twice a month to shut-ins in their own homes.
If you or anyone you know is in need of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, please call the rectory.