Saint Frances X. Cabrini

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The Sacraments in the Parish

What is a sacrament?

The word "sacrament" is derived from the Latin meaning of "sacred things." When we speak about the sacraments, we first hear the Word — Jesus Christ. He is the sacrament for us. "Sacrament" means a visible sign of God's invisible presence.

Just as Christ is the sacrament of God, the Church is your sacrament, your visible sign of Christ. It is within the Church that the sacraments take place. According to the teaching of the Church, we recognize seven sacraments.

Baptism

The Constitution on Liturgy states that through the symbolic immersion in the waters of Baptism, we are "grafted into the paschal mystery of Christ." In a mysterious way, we "die with Him, are buried with Him,
and rise with Him."

As baptized Christians, we are adopted brothers and sisters of Christ. Through Baptism we share with others the sacramental unity existing among all who, through it, are reborn.

Celebration of the sacrament of Baptism in our community begins with notifying the parish office at least one month before the desired time. It is necessary to provide the names of two Godparents who are practicing Catholics. If the Godparents do not belong to our parish, a sponsor certificate for being a Godparents should be obtained from the parish(es) the Godparents belong to.

Parents, and if possible, Godparents, are obliged to attend a pre-baptismal class. Please call the parish office for class times and dates.

The celebration of the sacrament of Baptism is a great moment of joy for all members of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini parish. We encourage parents to have their children baptized during the communal celebration of the Eucharist on the weekend. Other times after the celebration of the Mass are possible, also.

Confirmation

The sacrament of Confirmation is the moment of grace by which those born anew in Baptism receive the seal of the Holy Spirit, the gift of the Father. Along with Baptism and the Eucharist, Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation into the life of Christian witness. The deepened presence of the Holy Spirit, who comes to us in this sacrament, is meant to sustain us in a lifetime of witness to Christ and service to others.

Our Confirmation program extends to individuals in the seventh grade and above. This preparation program is held at least once every other year from September until February or March. All adults who were never confirmed and wish to receive the sacrament should contact the director of religious education in the parish office to set the conditions and time of preparation.

Reconciliation

Through the sacrament of Reconciliation, or Penance, we receive God's healing forgiveness for all sins committed after the sacrament of Baptism. This sacrament reconciles us with God and with the church community. Every sin wounds the Body of Christ, the Church. Through penance and absolution, we receive healing and strength. Penance transforms the tragic reality of sin into a joyful reunion of God and his people.

In order to properly receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, we should first examine our conscience, that is, recall all mortal and venial sins committed since the last time we received the sacrament. We then express our deep and honest sorrow for these sins. Reconciliation is usually connected with our resolution to not commit any more sins, as well as to fix the wrongs we have done to God and others.

The sacrament of Reconciliation is administered in our community every Saturday at 3 p.m. Reconciliation may also be scheduled with the priest by calling the parish office.

The Act of Contrition

Here is an example of the Act of Contrition prayer:

O, my God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong, and failing to do good, I have sinned against You, whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Amen. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy on me.


Any spontaneous and heartfelt prayer that tells God that you are truly sorry for all of your sins, that you will mend your ways, and that you firmly intend to avoid what leads to sin is also a good Act of Contrition.

Marriage

Marriage is a deep and loving relationship between a man and a woman, expressed in the commitment "to love one another until death do us part" and to accept children lovingly as God's most precious gift.

In the eyes of the Church, the consequences of this commitment, expressed through the marriage consent, are sanctified by the presence of Christ. That is why it is a sacrament, a visible sign of God's presence. The spouses become to each other the visible sign of God's presence, love and grace.

The sacrament of marriage is celebrated in the parish church. The liturgical celebration may be incorporated in the celebration of the Eucharist at Mass. In the case of mixed religion marriages, it is suggested that the marriage be celebrated outside of the Mass in respect to the non-Catholic party. The St. Frances Xavier Cabrini community encourages newlyweds to get involved in our volunteer projects, especially the liturgical ministries.

What to do before getting married in the Church

1. At least one of the parties must be a registered member of our parish community.

2. Start the preparation program by notifying the pastor at least six months prior to the wedding.

3. Obtain an updated Baptismal certificate not more than six months old.

4. Participate in Pre-Cana, Engaged Encounter or other marriage preparation program in our diocese or elsewhere.

5. Meet with the priest for pre-marriage counseling, to fill out canonical forms and to discuss the liturgy.

6. Arrange music for the ceremony by contacting the parish music director no later than three months before the wedding.

7. Schedule a wedding rehearsal the day before the wedding itself.

8. Arrange the wedding rehearsal and church decorations with the parish sacristan at least three months before the wedding. Church policy is that all decorations, photography and other arrangements should be established with the pastor and sacristan. Cleaning up after the wedding ceremony is the responsibility of designated members of the wedding party.

9. Make arrangements regarding payment for the people assisting at your wedding liturgy directly with the sacristan, music director and the priest presiding at the celebration of the sacrament.

Anointing of the Sick

Suffering and illness have always been among the greatest problems that trouble the human spirit. While experiencing pain, Christians feel the urgent need to pray deeply about the mystery of suffering.

Because pain, suffering, illness and even not so serious infirmity lead Christians to face God, there is something sacramental about these conditions. The Lord, who Himself suffered pain and dying, showed great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick. He also commanded His followers to do likewise.

The letter of James 5:14-16 tells us what the early Church was doing to fulfill Christ's command to care for the sick:

"Are there sick among you? Let them send for the Priest of the Church, and let the Priests pray over them, anointing them with the oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up; if they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them."

Through holy anointing, the sick person is able not only to bear suffering bravely, but also to fight against it.

In the Anointing of the Sick, the prayer of faith manifests faith itself. All this faith must be made actual in the priest who ministers the sacrament, and even more importantly, in the recipient.

Who can receive the Anointing of the Sick?

A prudent judgment without scruples is sufficient for deciding the seriousness of the illness. Also, if necessary, a doctor may be consulted. generally, the following people are eligible to receive the Anointing of the Sick.

1. A person who will undergo surgery, whenever a serious illness makes surgery necessary.

2. Elderly people who have become notably weakened, even though they have no serious illness.

The sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after being anointed and then falls ill again, or if during the same illness, the person's condition worsens.

It is very important that the priest administer anointing as soon as the right time comes to receive it with full faith and devotion. It is a wrong practice to delay the reception of the sacrament, so all who care for the sick should be aware of it.

The Anointing of the Sick may also be administered to sick people who have lost consciousness or use of reason, and who have, as Christian believers, at least explicitly asked for it when they were in control of their faculties.

To call a priest to administer the Anointing of the Sick, please call the following emergency telephone number, (941) 897-1404, any time of day or night.