SACRAMENTAL PREPARATIONS
The 7 Sacraments celebrated in the Catholic Church are Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders. They are divided into three categories: Sacrament of Initiation, Sacraments of Healing, and Sacraments of Service.
Sacraments of Christian Initiation
Baptism
In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ’s call to holiness. We are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love.
Baptism Preparation for Parents and Godparents:
- Parents seeking baptism for an infant or child under the age of 7 years must attend a Baptism Preparation Class. Please contact the Parish Office, 717.637.4625, to make an appointment with the Pastor.
- The completion of a baptism preparation class is mandatory to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism.
- The class provides parents and godparents with information about Baptism and offers a time of discussion and question answering.
- Generally, children age seven and older who have not received the Sacrament of Baptism will need to complete our classes adapted for Children/Youth program.
Confirmation
In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is “sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit” and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ.
- Confirmation is offered to youth in the eighth grade provided that they have had a minimum of two years of formal Catholic religious education immediately prior to celebrating Confirmation.
- The two-year religious education prerequisite can be in either a Catholic school setting or in the parish’s Religious Education program.
- A separate Confirmation program for high school students and other adults is available in the fall and spring.
- Please contact Ms. Sandy Clark, the Director of Religious Education for more information at 717.632.1467.
Eucharist
In the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole Christ is truly present. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the “Real Presence” of Christ in the Eucharist.
First Holy Communion is offered to children of the parish in the second grade who have been enrolled in Religious Education classes for at least one year.
- The religious education prerequisite can be in either a Catholic school setting (St. Joseph, St. Teresa of Calcutta, or another Catholic school) or in the parish’s Religious Education program.
- Please contact Ms. Sandy Clark, the Director of Religious Education for more information at 717.632.1467.
Sacraments of Healing
Penance and Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Penance is God’s gift to us so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven. In confession we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in his presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins. With absolution, we are reconciled to God and the Church.
First Reconciliation is offered to children of the parish in the second grade who have been enrolled in Religious Education classes for at least one year.
- The religious education prerequisite can be in either a Catholic school setting (St. Joseph, St. Teresa of Calcutta, or another Catholic school) or in the parish’s Religious Education program.
- Please contact Ms. Sandy Clark, the Director of Religious Education for more information at 717.632.1467.
Anointing of the Sick
When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped for effect is that, if it be God’s will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age. Please contact the Parish Office at 717.637.4625.
Sacraments of Service
Matrimony
The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.
- Marriage Preparation should begin at least nine to twelve months prior to the desired wedding date so couples can participate in pre-marriage preparation and counseling.
- For more information, please contact the Pastor to schedule an appointment to begin this joy-filled marriage process.
Marriage Convalidation
- Catholics who were married in a civil ceremony or in a religious ceremony outside the Catholic Church who wish to have their marriage celebrated in the rites of the Church should contact the Pastor for information.
Holy Orders
Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest. Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God’s call using the words of the prophet, “Here I am, send me” (Is 6:8). This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate. For more information, please contact the Pastor.
Rev. Michael P. Reid II, Pastor –