| Baptism of Infants & Young Children | First Reconciliation and Eucharist | Confirmation | Marriage | RCIA | Anointing | Christian Burial | Prior Marriage | ||||
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What are the Sacraments? Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions (Catechism 1131). The Church celebrates seven sacraments: three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist; two sacraments of healing: Reconciliation (confession or penance) and Anointing of the Sick; and two sacraments of vocation: Marriage and Holy Orders. What is Baptism? “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is a sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.” (Catechism 1213) Through baptism we become part of the royal, priestly people of god, called to holy lives of prayer and service.
Baptism of Young Children Under the Age of 7 We celebrate baptisms of young children generally the first weekend every other month at any one of the weekend Masses. Since Vatican II has directed Catholics to celebrate the sacraments and liturgy with “full, active and conscious” participation, we ask that first-time parents/guardians participate in an initial interview and two 2-hour Baptism Preparation Sessions to update their understanding of baptism, the important responsibilities of Christian parenting, and to learn more about the many ways our parish supports families. To schedule an initial interview, sign up for classes, and reserve a date for your child’s baptism, please contact Jennifer Wong.
Children 7 years of age and older Holy Rosary Church welcomes children of catechetical age, along with their families, on a journey of preparation for initiation into the Catholic community. The Church prepares older children and adults for all three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Those children who have never been baptized will participate in the RCIA process adapted for children and celebrate their sacraments at the Easter Vigil. As participants in the children’s RCIA, the children enter a process, a way of growing in response to God’s call. This process is marked by a number of stages, and occurs within the entire faith community of Holy Rosary Parish. Parents/guardians of children in the RCIA process may find that their child’s journey towards initiation prompts them to think about their own faith, and perhaps to re-examine it in a new light. The RCIA initiation process calls for significant family involvement, in terms of regular parent classes, participation in special rites during Mass, family prayer, and living the experience of a Christian life each day. RCIA for Children sessions, including any sessions for parents/guardians, takes place on either Sunday mornings at 11:30 or on Thursday evenings during the Adult RCIA meeting time. Those children already baptized in other Christian communities will make a profession of faith into the Catholic Church and will receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation in the rite of Reception into Full Communion with the Catholic Church. In addition to the Sacramental Preparation received in either Sunday Faith Formation classes and/or through Catholic School, a one hour class is required for children to prepare the child for the Profession of Faith. Commonly Asked Questions · Are there any requirements in order to have my child baptized at Holy Rosary? Parents/Guardians are required to be a registered parishioner here or have a personal connection with a registered parishioner (i.e. grandparents are members of the parish). If a family is a member of another parish, a letter must be received from their own parish granting permission for the baptism indicating that they are registered and have participated in that parish’s baptism preparation class. · Who can be godparents? Church law requires that there is at least one godparent for the child baptized. Godparents need to be active, practicing and confirmed Catholics at least 16 years of age. Godparents need to submit written proof of registration from their parish. · Can a non-Catholic be a godparent? No, only a Catholic can be a godparent because they are asked to promise to help support raising the child in the Catholic faith. A non-Catholic can witness the baptism as long as there is one Catholic godparent. A non-baptized person cannot be a godparent or a witness. · What if the godparents can’t come to the actual celebration? You can have a proxy stand in for the godparent(s). Please let the staff know so they can record the name of the proxy on the certificate. · Can I schedule a private baptism? No, unless there is an exceptional circumstance. Baptism celebrates the initiation of the child into the parish community and it is very important that the community is present at the time of celebration. To schedule an initial interview and reserve a date for your child’s baptism, please contact Jennifer Wong.
What is the RCIA? The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation), also called the Catechumenate, is a process of initiation into the Catholic Community of Faith for persons who are experiencing a conversion in their lives and seeking either Christian baptism in the Catholic Church or full Communion with the Catholic tradition of Eucharist and Confirmation. It is a process which enables the study of the Gospels, Catholic Christian teaching, the acceptance of Christian values and morality, the development and deepening of a life of prayer and action with the support and involvement of the local Christian community. The RCIA is more than a course of instruction. It is a process of conversion, designed to meet the unique and individual needs of the participants. Who is RCIA for?
Why an RCIA Process? Wasn’t the old Inquiry Class good enough? Christians are made, not born. There is nothing automatic or instant in the Rite of Christian Initiation. The development of faith takes time; it cannot be rushed. The candidates must be allowed sufficient time for their faith to ripen. Ordinarily, this means anywhere from one to two year of formation depending, of course, on the background and spiritual maturity of the candidates. In the past (in fact, in the very early Church), a person desiring reception into the Christian Community studied, prayed, fasted and did good works for three years. Initiation takes time. Initiation is more than doctrinal instruction. It is a way of coming to know the traditions, the people, the prayer and the actions of the community. Five Stages of the RCIA Process
Some Common Questions
First Reconciliation and First Communion Each year Holy Rosary prepares a group of young parishioners for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. The actual preparation sessions are facilitated by parish staff but administrative and hospitality ministry is also required in order to have a welcoming and successful ministry. Hospitality help is needed in planning receptions and parent meetings. Please contact Jennifer for further information.
Each year Holy Rosary offers a series of sessions to prepare baptized Catholic adults, who have not yet been confirmed, for the sacrament of Confirmation. It is a time for the participants to deepen their relation with God and the Church by focusing on the Rite of Confirmation itself while also connecting Confirmation to the other two sacraments of initiation: Baptism and Eucharist. Pursuant to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For “by the sacrament of Confirmation [the baptized) are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” (Catechism - 1285)
Marriage Click here for information on getting married at Holy Rosary.
Marriage Preparation Holy Rosary prepares approximately 30 couples for marriage per year. One of the most important parts of the marriage preparation process is the workshop we ask couples to participate in. Couples have two options:
If you are an engaged couple who would like to be married at Holy Rosary, please contact Sherry at 937-1488, ext. 210. For more information on Weddings at Holy Rosary, please view our Policies and Procedures.
The Anointing of the Sick may be celebrated anywhere: at home, in a hospital, on a battlefield, etc. An ideal place and time is during the celebration of the Mass of the Anointing of the Sick. Holy Rosary offers a Caring Mass the First Saturday of each month at 8am in the Church. The reason for this is that the celebration of the sacrament is not a private action involving only the priest and the sick person. It is a communal action involving the whole body of Christ. As Saint Paul explains:
Elsewhere Paul compares the body of Christ to the human body. If one member is sick, the entire body is affected in a spiritual way. It is fitting, therefore, that others (especially family and friends of the sick person) be present during the celebration of the sacrament. In most cases the condition of sick people is such that they are unable to anointed during Mass. To arrange for a home or hospital visit, please contact the Parish Office.
Rite of Christian Burial While the funeral home might need to be contacted immediately following a death, the first call when actually making the funeral arrangements should be to the Parish Office. Holy Rosary has trained pastoral ministers available for liturgical funeral planning at the time of the funeral and with post-funeral grief ministry.
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