Sacraments

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8).

As the Baltimore Catechism tells us, a sacrament is “an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.” There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation (or “Penance”), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Each one, in its own way, is critical to our spiritual lives as Catholics.  For information about preparing to receive these sacraments at Blessed Mother, contact the parish office.

Baptism

  • In order for parents to have their child baptized, they must first be “suitably instructed on the meaning of this sacrament and the obligations attaching to it” (Canon Law, no. 851.2). As such, there is one, 60 minute baptism preparation program that parents must attend.  Godparents are welcome to attend as well.
  • We also prefer, per Can. 857.2, that the parents be registered in the parish.
  • Before he performs the baptism, our pastor may also ask to see you attending Mass on a regular basis. This is so that he can establish, per Can. 868.2, a “well-founded hope that the child will be brought up in the catholic religion.”
  • Contact the office to set up an appointment for the class, and a date/ time may be selected for your child's baptism then as well. 
  • If this is your 2nd child, you are not required to complete the preparation program again.  
  • Please contact the office to schedule your baptism.   
  • An individual cannot receive the other sacraments of the Church until he or she is baptized.

Reconciliation

  • The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available every Saturday from 12:30 – 2:00 PM, or any time by appointment.
  • If you are conscious of having committed any mortal sin, then you must receive this sacrament before you can receive the Eucharist at Mass (cf. Can. 916).
  • For our 2nd graders receiving the Sacraments of First Reconciliation/ First Communion, there will be a Parent Meeting Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 7:00 PM in the St. John Bosco Room in the Parish Hall.  
  • First Reconciliation Retreat with child & parent will be Saturday, December 5, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Parish Hall & Church.  
  • First Reconciliation for the 2nd graders will be celebrated at our Parish Penance Service on Sunday, December 6, 2020 from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
  • A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.
  • For more information about First Reconciliation, please contact Christina Barnard.
  • You may also wish to download the Parent Information Packet.  
1st Reconciliation Parent Info Packet:  1j3k4zzgl707ngbx1zsz0x3dzal.png

Holy Communion

  • See the Home page for Mass times.
  • The Holy Eucharist can only be received by full members of the Catholic Church. If you are not Catholic, we request that you please refrain from receiving the Eucharist at Mass. You are, however, welcome to come forward with your arms crossed over your chest and receive a blessing.
  • For the class of 2019-2020, per the Bishop's instructions on COVID19, the Sacrament of First Holy Communion was not offered at it's scheduled time. 
  • First Communion Retreat with child & parent will be Saturday, August 29, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Parish Hall & Church.  
  • The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available following the retreat at the regularly scheduled time of 12:30 to 2:00 PM
  • The Sacrament of First Holy Communion for the 2nd graders will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 during the 6 PM Mass.  
  • At this time, we do not know if a reception is permitted will follow in the Parish Hall.  
  • For more information about First Holy Communion, please contact Christina Barnard.
  • You may also wish to download the Parent Information Packet.
1st Holy Communion Parent Info Packet
2019-2020:
  • For the class of 2020-2021
    For our 2nd graders receiving the Sacraments of First Reconciliation/ First Communion, there will be a Parent Meeting Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 7:00 PM in the St. John Bosco Room in the Parish Hall.
  • First Communion Retreat with child & parent will be Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Parish Hall & Church. 
  • The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available following the retreat at the regularly scheduled time of 12:30 to 2:00 PM
  • The Sacrament of First Holy Communion for the 2nd graders will be celebrated on Sunday, May 2, 2021 during the 10 AM Mass.  
  • A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

1st Holy Communion Parent Info Packet
2020-2021:

Confirmation

  • According to Canon Law, in order for a baptized person to lawfully receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, he “must be suitably instructed, properly disposed and able to renew the baptismal promises” (Can. 889). Furthermore, “Parents and pastors of souls, especially parish priests, are to see that the faithful are properly instructed to receive the sacrament” (Can. 890). This means that the preparation for the Sacrament provided by our Director of Youth Ministry is very important.
  • Candidates for Confirmation, parents, and sponsors must attend as many of the meetings, Mini-Retreats, and service days as apply to them.
  • Those candidates for Confirmation should complete 10 hours of service projects.
  • For the Class of 2019-2020
  • Confirmation will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 6:00 PM Mass here at Blessed Mother Church.

For the Class of 2020-2021

  • Confirmation Parent Meeting will be Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 5:30 PM in the St. John Bosco Center.
  • Confirmation Retreat with candidate & sponsor will be Sunday, February 21, 2021 from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM in the Parish Hall.  Lunch will be provided.
  • Practice for the Sacrament of Confirmation with candidate & sponsor will be Monday, April 19, 2021 at 5:30 PM in Church.  
  • Confirmation for the eighth graders will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 6:30 PM Mass here at Blessed Mother Church.

  • A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

  • For more information, contact Christina Barnard.

Holy Matrimony

  • Arrangements must be made six months in advance of the ceremony.
  • For more information, contact Fr. Mike or Fr. Jamie.

Holy Orders

Anointing of the Sick

  • In order to meet the spiritual needs of our sick, please contact Fr. Mike or Fr. Jamie.