St. Thomas the Apostle

Preparation is required before all of the Sacraments-usually referred to as Direct Preparation.

Direct preparation takes place just before someone celebrates the ritual and receives the grace of the particular Sacrament.

While immediate preparation is important, the real preparation comes with regular participation in the faith life of the community.

It is practically impossible to prepare someone in a few short weeks or months to understand and appreciate something as awesome as God's grace if they have no experience of God's grace in their lives on a daily basis. Parents accept the responsibility to train their children in the practice of the faith when they ask to have their children baptized. Young adults and older adults are responsible for their own training in the practice of the faith and the key word is PRACTICE.

Faith must be lived and experienced if it is to be of value in our lives. That is the only way it will bear fruit; otherwise our faith is dead. That is why our motto is FAITH FORMATION IS FOR EVERYONE.

- Sacraments of Initiation -

1. BAPTISM

Baptism incorporates people into the church, joins them with the death and resurrection of Christ, effects a forgiveness of sins, and orients people to the worship of God and the wider mission of the church.

Baptism is a communal event

Baptism calls us to mission-the mission of Jesus Christ

Baptism is the beginning of a long process of initiation into the faith of Jesus Christ

Baptism orients us to choose the values of Jesus Christ

Baptism requires a conversion of heart to the values, attitudes, and beliefs of Jesus Christ, and incorporation into a community of faith which, through word, worship, witness and service, continues to work for the commonwealth of justice and peace which Jesus inaugurated through his preaching of the kingdom of God.

Contact the Parish Office for registration and preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism.

Please call the Parish Office at (607)264 3779 .

2. THE EUCHARIST

The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life."

We are called to "full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations"

The words of the Eucharist:

Thanksgiving and praise to the Father.

The sacrificial memorial of Christ and his body.

The presence of Christ by the power of this word and his Spirit.

The Eucharist is an activity of the church.

The Eucharist is the family banquet of all who constitute the Church.

It is the meal at which all are fed; at which no one is a foreigner.

Note: Children over the age of seven who have not been baptized or were baptized in another Christian church and have not received Eucharist are invited to participate in the Catechumenate for children. Similar to the adult RCIA process, they will be prepared, in age appropriate ways, to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil

3. CONFIRMATION

The rite of confirmation is an opportunity for the candidates to give evidence of their growth and development

in the faith and to confirm their lived experience of discipleship and commitment to following the example and teachings

of Jesus Christ. Confirmation celebrates God's gift of the Holy Spirit, first given in baptism, and now confirmed and ratified through the lived experience of the candidates.

Teenagers:

Reflect on their faith

Demonstrate their willingness and ability to incorporate the beliefs of the Christian community into their everyday lives.

Are accompanied by a sponsor.

Shared with the community.

- Sacraments of Healing -

1. RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION)

The Sacrament of PENANCE through the Rite of RECONCILIATION where we go to CONFESSION

The purpose of the sacrament is to reconcile sinners to God and the church, and to promote a life of conversion. The sacrament of reconciliation is rooted in the lifelong journey of conversion which is central to the baptismal commitment. penance/reconciliation is social and ecclesial* in its nature as well as its effects penance is an act of ecclesial* worship (as are all the sacraments) the deepest meaning of penance is conversion which goes beyond ritual to the whole of the Christian life

*Ecclesial: identifies a community as belonging to the "Body of Christ", a spiritual community.

Reconciliation is available between the( 8:30 and 11:00 am ) Masses on Sunday at St. Thomas the Apostle.

2. ANOINTING OF THE SICK & VIATICUM (reserved Eucharist)

This sacrament is rooted in James5:13-15 where the apostle says that if the sick person has committed any sins they will be forgiven through prayer and anointing with oil of the community. One of the essential elements of the rite of anointing of the sick is the prayer of the church community for comfort. rooted in the human experience of sickness and death the people of God taking care of each other; praying with and for them ministry to the sick is the responsibility of the entire church community The anointing of the sick consists of the laying on of hands by a priest, the prayers of the church, and the anointing with the oil of the sick. The continuous rite includes the celebration of penance, anointing and eucharist.

Communal celebrations and upon request.

Is there someone you know who is sick and can't attend Mass? Please call the Parish Office at (607)264 3779 so we can bring him/her the Eucharist.

- Sacraments of Mission -

1. MATRIMONY / MARRIAGE

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 person has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament. (Code of Canon Law #1055). Marriage is a community of life and love, not simply a contract; the domestic church. Marriage consists of the mutual love of a husband and wife and the procreation of children. Married couples enter into a lifelong journey of conversion and mutual growth in love. Marriage involves faith: it is a sacrament, an act of worship, an expression of faith, a sign of the church's unity and a witness to the presence of Christ. The family and marriage should be protected and fostered, to safeguard public morality and promote domestic prosperity.

The actual sacramental celebration of marriage is a public act of worship on the part of the church.

Christian marriage is the usual way Christians live out their baptismal vocation to be a living sign and witness of Christ to the world through their love and service of God and neighbor.

Couples should contact the parish at least 6 months prior to the proposed wedding date.

Please do NOT make any other arrangements before contacting the Church.

Please contact the Parish Office to make arrangements.

2. HOLY ORDERS

Ordination is a religious, liturgical act which consecrates, blesses and sacramentalizes persons into the order of bishops, priests or deacons.

Orders is rooted in the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ; it enables the church to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit until the end of time.

The ministerial priest, by the sacred power that he has, forms and rules the priestly people; in the person of Christ he effects the Eucharistic sacrifice and offers it to God in the name of all the people. The faithful indeed, by virtue of their royal priesthood, participate in the offering of the Eucharist. They exercise that priesthood, too, by the reception of the sacraments, prayer and thanksgiving the witness of a holy life, abnegation and active charity.

(Catechism of the Catholic Church #1546-47).

Sacrament of orders is essential and necessary so that all the baptized can participate in the ministry of Christ.

Celebrating the sacrament of orders has it emphasis on ministry and service to the community of faith; the needs of the Church but must also move the entire church to serve the needs of the world.

Solidarity & Social Justice

In the Catholic tradition, Christians have a moral responsibility to commit ourselves to the common good at all levels: in local communities, in our state and our nation, and in the community of nations. We are our brother' and sister' keepers, wherever they may live.

Life & Dignity of the Human Person

The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred, made in the image and likeness of God. Our belief is the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation for all the principles of our social teaching.

Care for God's Creation

The goods on the earth are gifts from God. We have a responsibility to care for these goods as stewards and trustees, not as mere
consumers and users.

Preparation for the Catholic Sacraments