We are created us in God’s image and likeness, inclined toward good, but vulnerable to sin. The Sacraments of the Church by definition are outward and visible signs of God’s grace meant to strengthen us body, soul and mind. They are instituted by our Savior, Jesus Christ, and entrusted to the Church. They bring God’s power to us (efficacious) when we receive them. They give us a share of divine life so that we may share the joy of living life in Christ with others. Through prayer, formation, reception of the Sacraments and service we are strengthened while on this earthly journey to complete the mission of Christ (The Great Commission).
The Sacraments are divided into three groups: The Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation), those of Healing (Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick/Viaticum) and those of Service (Matrimony and Holy Orders). Each of these sacraments were reexamined during the Second Vatican Council to update their current practices. Sacramental Guidelines from the Diocese of Rochester can be found here.
Sacramental Preparation
Baptism — Please contact Fr. Leo for the required baptismal preparation sessions, preferably 6 months before requesting the sacrament. Generally, all infant baptisms are performed during a weekend Mass. The child becomes a member of the Community in Baptism, so, it is strongly desirable to celebrate baptisms in the presence of the Community. If there is a need for you to have your child baptized outside of Mass, please bring it to the attention of the priest during the preparation sessions. If a family living outside the boundaries of OLOL requests Baptism, the parents must submit a letter from the pastor of the parish in which they enrolled indicating that they have done the Baptismal Preparation Sessions in that parish and the persons requested to be Godparents are fully initiated Catholics who are faithful, participating members of a parish.
“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.” (CCC 1213)
Click here is you have been asked to be a Godparent. If you feel that having a course would help you in this honorable role, the Diocese has a free training! If you are registered with this parish and have been asked to be a Godparent to a child in another parish, you will need to request a letter from Fr. Leo indicating you are a fully initiated Catholic and a faithful, participating member of this parish.
Reconciliation and Eucharist — Children are ready to prepare for Sacraments if they have been regularly worshipping with their families and enrolled in the parish’s Faith Formation program or attending a Catholic School. At least two years of Faith Formation needs to be on record, one in the year preceding and one in the current year in which desiring to register for sacramental preparation. For an unbaptized child who has reached the Age of Reason (about 7 or older), the preparation is the Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC). In the OCIC children and their parents meet weekly over many months to develop community, learn about the Catholic Faith and its practices, and to take that faith into the world. (It is similar to the OCIA, see below.) Following participation in the OCIC, the hearts touched will continue to develop their relationship with God through continued prayer, worship, formation and service. Please contact Patty.
Has it been a while since you have received Penance & Reconciliation or Eucharist. They should be celebrated at least once/year (Reconciliation during Lent and Holy Eucharist during Easter). “Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from (the depths of) God’s mercy for the offense committed against Him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.” (CCC 1422)
“The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” “The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” (CCC 1324)
Confirmation — Available to students who are in 8th grade or higher. In this parish it can be done over 2 years as summer intensives with assignments, or twice monthly meets. Each year of formation needs to total a minimum of 30 contact hours and includes a required 5-hour retreat. This sacrament is important! Contact Patty with questions/to register.
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) — Contact Fr. Leo. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the preparation program for those who are feeling called to a closer relationship with God through the Catholic Church. It is for the unbaptized, those baptized into another faith, for baptized Catholics who never received any of the other Sacraments or have been away from the Church for some time. At the end of an intense period of study, the inquirer may walk away, better informed of what Catholicism is and why we do what we do, or join the Church. We are happy to have the opportunity to share our faith with all inquirers. Let Fr. Mike Schmitz inform about how easy it is to become a practicing Catholic.
Matrimony — If you are engaged, and want to be married within this parish, we are excited to help you prepare for this! Please call Fr. Leo at 315-536-7459 ASAP, at least six months in advance of a wedding date. The preparation process is called Pre-Cana, and there are guidelines for weddings and suggested readings and music to choose from. After consultation with the pastor, depending on the needs of the couple, the Pre-Cana can be done in person or online. If the online Pre-Cana is chosen, couples register directly at www.dor.org If you are coming here for your “destination wedding,” meeting with the priest in your home parish is the first step. (Permission to perform the ceremony will need to come from your home parish.)
Some Great Resources to review before calling or celebrating the Sacrament can be found here: (Recommended by the Diocese of Rochester)
- Marriage: A Unique Reason
- Marriage: Strengthened in Love
- For your Marriage
- Saying I do (YouTube Video)
“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament. (CCC 1601)
Anointing of the Sick/Viaticum — Please contact Fr. Leo. This sacrament is meant for anyone with a serious illness. It is appropriate for anyone who is scheduled for surgery, has been diagnosed with a serious illness or whose illness progresses or another develops, or is on death’s doorstep. This sacrament should not be seen as simply asking for physical healing. When we are sick, we may suffer physically, mentally and spiritually. The act of anointing with oil is a sign of strengthening. In this understanding, the Anointing of the Sick – while our prayers may include asking for a miracle – the sacrament is about strengthening and knowing that God is with us granting us peace, love, and grace.
Moved by so much suffering Christ not only allows himself to be touched by the sick, but he makes their miseries his own: “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”. But he did not heal all the sick. His healings were signs of the coming of the Kingdom of God. They announced a more radical healing: the victory over sin and death through his Passover. On the cross Christ took upon himself the whole weight of evil and took away the “sin of the world,”. Of which illness is only a consequence. By his passion and death on the cross Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to him and unite us with his redemptive Passion. (CCC 1505)
Religious Life and Holy Orders — Please see the separate page.
Reception and celebration of the sacraments draw us to serve others. Explore what Social Ministry is and how to serve.
When we share with each other how God is working in our lives, that is testimony. It helps us to be evangelical. What can it look like? Check out Fr. Mike’s Schmitz’ podcasts to get the idea.