Sacraments of Healing & Service

We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. -2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Healing & Service

Those who follow Christ are called to live lives free of sin. For every Christian the goal is to enter the heavenly paradise, but as the scriptures relate “nothing unclean will enter it.” (Rev. 21:27) Sacraments of healing provide the forgiveness of Christ and a remedy for sin. All Catholics are urged to celebrate this sacrament whenever they are conscious of serious sin. There is no formal preparation for Anointing of the Sick, though prayers and an examination of conscience are encouraged. *Preparation for Holy Orders is done at a regional or national level, generally through a seminary administered by an order of religious men or by a diocese.

Sacraments of Healing & Service

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld." -John 20:21-23

Reconciliation

Available each Saturday from 2:30–3:30 PM in the reconciliation room at church, or by appointment if you call one of our priests. Additional services are held in Advent and Lent (see events page for specific times during those seasons).

Anointing of the Sick

Available 4 times per year at the beginning of each weekend Mass, or by appointment. No longer used solely as preparation for a death, this sacrament of healing is encouraged for all people struggling with sickness: physical, mental or spiritual.

In the Church’s Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to conquer sin and death by his dying and rising.

The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.

Holy Orders

If you are thinking about becoming a priest, our priests would be happy to speak with you! Contact a priest when you call at x113 or x117. You may also contact their order online at the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales [here]. At the Oblate Vocation page, there are video interviews with priests, articles to help you discern about beginning the process, and a description of their formation program.

Catholic men who “take Holy Orders” receive a special sacrament called Holy Orders, which creates the hierarchy of deacon, priest, and bishop. These men (who are ordained by a bishop by means of that sacrament) serve the spiritual needs of others in the Catholic Church.

A baptized man must first be ordained a deacon before being ordained a priest and ordained a priest before being ordained a bishop. So every priest and every bishop has experienced the Sacrament of Holy Orders more than once, but he experiences ordination to each level only once. If you’re interested in becoming a priest, contact the Diocesan Vocations Office.

Marriage

At least six months in advance of an anticipated wedding, participating church members should contact one of our our priests to begin the preparation process. Only a priest can guarantee a particular date and time. Your marriage is a sacred sacrament in the eyes of the Church and with each other. Opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) should be discussed with your priest.

We think you’ll like another website called: For Your Marriage (click here). There you can find interactive quizzes, videos, articles and other resources. Since it’s sponsored by the U.S. Bishops Conference, you know it’s quality Catholic information!