Sacraments
Below is sacramental preparation information and guidance for the sacraments celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle.
Preparation for the Catholic Sacraments
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
Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confirmation mark the beginning and strengthening of the Christian life.
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
Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick proclaim God's mercy, forgiveness, comfort, and healing grace.
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 on Sunday at St. Thomas the Apostle.
2. Anointing of the Sick
This sacrament is rooted in James 5:13–15 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.
