LITURGICAL PROGRAMS
THE SACRAMENTS
PREPARATION COURSES
“The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify the people, to build up the body of Christ, and, finally, to worship God. Because they are signs they also belong in the realm of instruction. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and objects they also nourish, strengthen and express it. That is why they are called the sacraments of faith. They do, indeed, confer grace, but, in addition, the very act of celebrating them is most effective by making people ready to receive this grace to their profit, to worship God duly, and to practise charity.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 59)
The Roman Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments: baptism, eucharist, confirmation, reconciliation, anointing of the sick, marriage and holy orders.
“The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian’s life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of spiritual life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1210)
At Our Lady of the Annunciation preparation programs are granted for:
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RCIA
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Baptism
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First Reconciliation and First Communion
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Confirmation
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Holy Matrimony / Marriage
Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation are called the Sacraments of Initiation
RCIA
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS
To know and acknowledge Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life, is at the basis of the Christian mandate. The RCIA thus prepares both non-Catholic and Catholic adults, according to each person’s need, to develop and grow in faith.
Catecumen candidates prepare for adults’ sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation.
BAPTISM
Baptism is the Sacrament through which a person becomes a Christian. In the Roman Catholic Church, children are usually baptized as infants. In such instances, parents and godparents are to participate in a baptism preparation class to learn how to live their responsibility in helping the child grow in the faith.
When children are registered for baptism, this program helps the parents and godparents to fully understand the commitment they are making on behalf of their child. They meet with the priest for such preparation; members of the Parish Community are invited to join the preparation team. There is also special preparation for children already in school. Adults who wish to be baptized are invited to participate in our R.C.I.A. program (Rite of Christian Initiation).
Please call the parish office at (819) 777-6931 to receive a registration form.
FIRST
COMMUNION
AND FIRST RECONCILIATION
Holy Communion is one of our three sacraments of initiation. It is through these sacraments of initiation that we become full members of the Church.
Holy Communion is considered one of the holiest and most important occasions in a Roman Catholic person’s life. It is the first time that a person receives the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, which is the eating of consecrated bread and drinking of consecrated wine. The Holy Eucharist refers to Christ’s body, blood, soul, and divinity that are truly present in the consecrated host and wine (now called the Body and Blood of Christ) on the altar. For us as Catholics, there is nothing greater than to receive Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist at Mass.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation means accepting responsibility for your faith and your destiny. The focus is on the Holy Spirit, who confirmed the apostles on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) and gave them courage to practice their faith. The same Holy Spirit confirms Catholics during the Sacrament of Confirmation and gives them the same gifts and fruits.
Just as our bodies and minds grow, Catholics believe that our souls need to grow in the life of grace. Just as the human body must grow in childhood, adolescence, and then adulthood; the human soul needs to grow into maturity. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the supernatural equivalent of the growth process on the natural level. It builds on what was begun in Baptism and what was nourished in the Holy Eucharist. It completes the process of initiation into the Christian community, and it matures the soul for the work ahead.
Confirmation means accepting responsibility for your faith and your destiny. The focus is on the Holy Spirit, who confirmed the apostles on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) and gave them courage to practice their faith. The same Holy Spirit confirms Catholics during the Sacrament of Confirmation and gives them the same gifts and fruits.
Youth 16 years of age and over are prepared for Confirmation.
Please call the parish office at (819) 777-6931 to receive a registration form, or ask the Hospitality desk at the entrance of the church.
If you're an adult seeking confirmation, please refer to the RCIA section above.
Preparation begins in October and ends in June each year.
The baptism certificate will be required.
HOLY
MATRIMONY
A Catholic marriage is a covenant, implying that a relationship to God, through Jesus Christ, exists with and between both husband and wife.
Your marriage is a sacramental bond when it is contracted between a baptized man and a baptized woman, one or both of whom is Catholic. A Catholic marriage is ordinarily witnessed by a deacon, a priest, or a bishop, and two other witnesses. If you are an engaged couple and are thinking of getting married at St. Basil’s, you must contact a priest at St. Basil’s at least one year before the your wedding date for marriage preparation, and at least one of you must be Catholic, for which certificates for baptism, first communion and confirmation will be required.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Are there any sick among you? Then let them send for the priests and let the priest pray over them, anointing them with oil” (James 4:14)
The Anointing of the Sick offers prayers for possible recovery, but the more important intention is to give strength to the soul of the sick person. The Church believes that the sacrament offers a special grace to calm and strengthen the spirit. This can be of great comfort in time of illness. This sacrament has its origin based on St. James’ Epistle: “Are there any sick among you? Then let them send for the priests and let the priest pray over them, anointing them with oil” (James 4:14).
The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is appropriate for anyone who is seriously ill, infirm, or anticipating surgery. Advanced age may also be a sufficient reason too. You may receive this sacrament more than once. In fact, all Catholics of any age are encouraged to ask for this sacrament any time a new condition or surgery arises. People are encouraged to participate in the sacrament when they are ill and feel the need of spiritual healing. Please contact the Parish Office to arrange for the administration of the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick for yourself, or for a loved one.
From time to time, we celebrate the sacrament of anointing at the Sunday masses at Our Lady of the Annunciation. Anyone who feels in need of healing is invited to participate at this time.
LAST RITES
This sacrament of Last Rites was called Extreme Unction (last anointing), not because it was the last sacrament a person received before he/she died, but because it was the last anointing that person received. Baptism and Confirmation are the first two times we are anointed. Many older Catholics are under the mistaken impression that they can only receive the sacrament on their death bed; quite literally “Last Rites”. This may have seemed true in years past, but with modern medical advances today improving our recovery from illness, this sacrament is rightly received by anyone suffering a serious injury or illness and can be received as often as needed.
