Sacraments
BAPTISM
RECONCILIATION
EUCHARIST
CONFIRMATION
hOLY oRDERS
mATRIMONY
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
In Baptism, God's saving grace, His very presence, enters into the human soul. The essential rite of baptism is very simple. The person celebrating the sacrament (usually a priest) says 'I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit' while pouring water over the head of the person receiving the sacrament or dipping the person in water. For Catholics, baptism is the sacrament of salvation and the door to all other sacraments.
Register for Baptism Classes with the Faith Formation office at:
717-243-4411 x303
Schedule a Baptism with the Parish Office at: 717-243-4411 x200
In Reconciliation, which is also called 'confession' or 'penance,' a Catholic confesses his or her sins to a priest in the spirit of true repentance and receives forgiveness. The priest acts as a visible representative of Christ, who forgives sins through Him, when he says the words of absolution: 'I absolve you of your sins in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.'
Those who partake in the Eucharist receive the real Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ in what appears to be bread and wine. During Mass, regular bread and wine are consecrated by the priest, through God's power, when he repeats Jesus's words, 'This is My Body' and 'This is the chalice of My Blood.'
In our Diocese, children prepare to receive the sacrament of First Holy Communion in 2nd grade.
Contact the Faith Formation Office at: 717-243-4411 x303
Confirmation provides a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which helps the confirmed Catholic witness to Christ and lead a mature Christian life. The rite of confirmation, usually performed by a bishop, involves the anointing with chrism (holy oil), the laying on of hands, and the words 'Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.'
In Holy Orders, men are ordained as bishops, priests, and deacons through a bishop's laying on of hands and prayer. These men are given the grace to live out their lives in service to the Church and to God's people.
Marriage, or matrimony, joins a man and a woman together in a life-long covenant of self-giving love. The two spouses give their consent to join together in marriage as the Church defines it. God gives special grace to the couple that they may live out their vow.
Couples planning to marry should contact the Parish office at 717-243-4411 to arrange a meeting with a priest who will explain the diocesan program for marriage preparation. Couples are asked to make contact 9 to 12 months prior to the wedding date.
Anointing of the Sick offers the comfort of God's grace to those who are ill. The sacrament provides spiritual and sometimes physical healing, according to God's will, but also allows the sick person to join his or her sufferings to Christ and prepare for death. The essential rite of this sacrament involves anointing with the oil of the sick and prayer.
Contact the office for emergency Anointing of the Sick. Should a parishioner be anticipating surgery, they are encouraged to request the Anointing of the Sick prior to their operation.
Distribution of Holy Communion and the Anointing of the Sick are made available on a regular basis to those who reside at the nine nursing homes within the parish boundaries and at UPMC Carlisle.
