Sacraments
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The Sacraments
The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Confirmation or Chrismation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
Sacraments are "powers that come forth" from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant.
The parish celebrates the mystery of our faith through support of individuals and families as they receive the Sacraments throughout the year.For any questions or interest regarding your child's First Sacraments or Confirmation preparation, please contact Bette Wolf in the Parish Life Office
Baptism
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, 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.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213
Infant Baptism
The welcoming of a new child into a family is the most joyous of human experiences, and so is the joy the Christian community experiences when it welcomes new members into its fellowship. Baptism is a Sacrament of Initiation. Infant Baptism is scheduled by the pastor. A preparation session for parents is required. Baptismal garments are made by parish volunteers.
If you wish to have your child baptized at St. Mary's please submit the Baptism Registration Form. If you have questions or would like more information please contact the Parish Office: 763-545-1443
Reconciliation
Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from 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.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1422Confession is every Saturday starting at 3:30pm, for more information please contact the Parish Office: 763-545-1443.
Holy Eucharist
The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.
At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet 'in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1322 & 1323
Confirmation
Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation, whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1285St. Mary's has a 2 year Confirmation program for 7th & 8th Graders. For more information please refer to the Formation Page
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 persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1601
A principal component for marriage preparation is the Prepare Inventory which each engaged couple experiences with the Pastor of the parish. After this is completed, the couple plan their wedding liturgy. For more details see our wedding page.
Contact the pastor at least six months before the wedding. You or your family must reside within St. Mary of the Lake Parish boundaries, or be registered as a member.
For more information please contact the Parish Office: 763-545-1443
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1536
For more information about Catholic vocations go to http://www.10000vocations.org.
Anointing of the Sick
By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them and indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1499
For more information about the Anointing of the Sick sacrament see our Pastoral Ministry page. -