Sacraments

Sacrament of Marriage

Any couple, desiring to marry within the Catholic Church, should contact the pastor approximately one year in advance. The following steps must be completed:

  1. Schedule a date with the pastor. Due to time constraints, one wedding is allowed on Saturday. Arrangements for hall and other contractual needs of the wedding should be made AFTER establishing an open date at the church. Time of wedding is determined by choices for a wedding celebration. In general the time is between 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
  2. Establish freedom to marry within the church. Civil laws and laws of the church define the ability to enter into marriage. Within the Catholic Church, any person who has a previous marriage will undergo a separate process prior to entering into any subsequent marriage.
  3. Provide the necessary documents. In all marriages, a baptismal record for Catholics and non-Catholics is necessary. Depending on circumstances, other documents may be necessary.
  4. Interfaith marriage invites the non-Catholic to attend one four hour session to discuss the Catholic Church. The intent of the class is to assist the discussion of those areas that are impacted by having two faiths within a relationship.
  5. Complete a compatibility tool. Couples are asked to complete a tool entitled FOCUS. This tool assists in defining the issues faced by a couple and opportunity to discuss how the couple will help each other with these issues in their marriage.
  6. Attend a weekend to discuss the values and principles that should be covered prior to entering into marriage. This weekend is offered once a year at St. Joseph, generally in March. Neighboring parishes also host a similar weekend experience. Attendance at a neighboring parish is acceptable.
  7. Plan the ceremony with the pastor. Be mindful that all wedding customs are be compatible with Catholic celebration of marriage. Decisions regarding the church ceremony should be made in consultation with the pastor.
  8. Rehearsal implements the decisions for the day of the wedding and prepares all participants to celebrate this day. The time of rehearsal is set with the pastor. All those participating in the wedding are required to attend. The time should be set to facilitate their presence.
  9. Offering to church: $75. Monies given to assist the work with the poor.
  10. Having completed these steps, a couple celebrates its wedding day!

Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism is an invitation to have the grace of God poured forth upon a child. This grace claims a child as God's child and will be available to assist this child in making good choices throughout their life. Baptism helps us to be reassured that a child will have the presence of God to help them face the evil present within our world as well as the moment of death.

In all things, God promises to raise a child to new life. Baptism celebrates this promise made by our God to all who accept this offer of grace in faith. For the baptism of a child under the age of five (5), parents are invited to complete the following steps:

  1. Parents are invited to assess their own connection to the church. The opportunity exists for parents to validate their marriage if they have married outside the church. Parents may need annulments to resolve a prior marriage. Parents may not be regularly attending church. The church invites that as we celebrate the entrance of a child into a community of faith, parents should have an active faith life and be in union with the church.
  2. Parents who are presenting a child or children for the first time are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation Class. These classes are offered in September and February. The class involves two sessions, 1½ hours. The first session reviews the history of Baptism and the understanding of the church regarding Baptism today. The second session assists parents in learning about how to raise a child in faith.
  3. Baptisms are scheduled with the pastor. The second weekend of each month (excluding December and April) is set aside for baptism. Two children may be baptized at each of the weekend Masses. Four children may be baptized at 12:15 on Sunday afternoon in a communal celebration of Baptism apart from Mass.
  4. Sponsors are chosen for a child who is to be baptized. One sponsor must be a baptized, confirmed, practicing Catholic. If they are not a member of St. Joseph, a form is presented to their pastor to attest to their ability to meet these requirements as set by the laws of the Catholic Church. Parents are encouraged to choose sponsors that are living a faith life and will continue to support a child in faith development.
  5. Offering to church: $10. Monies given to assist the work with the poor.

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is available to anyone who has experienced a change in physical, emotional or psychological well-being. A person who is presented for this Sacrament is asking that God pour forth a special grace of healing to assist the progress of physical, emotional or mental health. This Sacrament may be received as often as needed.

  1. This Sacrament may be received by contacting the pastor. An appointment is set to receive the Sacrament. The person is invited to have any family or friends present who are offering support during this time of need. Through prayer, the person is anointed on the forehead and palms of their hands. The prayers reflect our request that the anointed person receive healing.
  2. A communal celebration is held twice a year, generally October and April. This celebration invites those who desire the Anointing of the Sick to gather within the celebration of Mass and receive the Anointing following the homily. Consult the bulletin or the parish calendar for dates and times.

First Reconciliation/First Communion - Grade 2

Classroom preparation is done in second grade in both CCD and in the Catholic schools: first semester - Reconciliation; second semester - Communion.

Catechists and parents help the children with lessons in their sacrament books. Song, dramatization and other creative activities round out the classroom experience. Retreats and parent meetings (2-3 per semester) are also part of the process.

Parent meetings are held on Wednesday evenings. Parents who have chosen to have their children celebrate these sacraments at an older age should contact Lynn Meyer regarding RCI (Rite of Christian Initiation).

Confirmation - Grade 11

Confirmation preparation is designed for the responsible and mature senior high student ready to commit to a process which involves: daily journaling, weekly meetings with a mentor, monthly gatherings and retreat experience.

Process helps an individual search for questions and answers regarding faith, relationships, priorities, family and future. Large group gatherings are held on Wednesdays, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the Family Center.

Twelfth graders who have not been confirmed may also register.

Celebration of all sacraments from baptism through matrimony is the responsibility of each parish regardless of what school a child attends. Therefore, whether your child is in Catholic school, a Parish Religious Education program, or a home study program, you need to register through our office for sacramental preparation and celebration.