SACRAMENTS

The Sacraments are signs of the larger mystery of our loving God encountering us in the here and now. “The liturgical life of the Church revolves around the sacraments, with the Eucharist at the center.” (National Directory for Catechesis)

The Catholic Church celebrates seven sacraments, all of which make Jesus present in a special way:
• Baptism: Jesus gives new life.
• Confirmation: Jesus gives his Spirit.
• Eucharist: Jesus nourishes us and strengthens our bond with God.
• Reconciliation: Jesus forgives.
• Anointing: Jesus heals the whole person.
• Marriage: Jesus loves us and calls us to love one another.
• Holy Orders: Jesus serves and invites us to spread the Good News.

Specifically at Our Lady of Lourdes:

Baptisms are celebrated on the first and third Sundays of the month, (except those Sundays during Lent when the Church does not baptize) usually at 1:00 p.m.    First time parents and parents who have not participated in a Baptism class for 3 or more years need to register for the Baptism Preparation Class which meets the second Tuesday of every other month at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Office Center.  Baptism class months are February, April, June, August, October and December.  Parents are asked to plan ahead.  The best time to participate in the class is several months before the expected birth, rather than after the birth.

Please call the Parish Office Center at 922-0715 to arrange for a date for the class and the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism.  An adult who desires to be baptized usually participates in the RCIA process.  (See RCIA for more information, or contact Sister Maria Hill at 922-0715 x3334.)

Requirements for baptismal sponsors/godparents:

• Both sponsors need to be baptized in their Christian faith and at least 16 years of age.
• Both sponsors must be people that live their faith and reflect Christian love.
• At least one sponsor must be a practicing, confirmed Catholic.  If married the wedding must have been sacramental and witnessed by a Catholic priest or deacon.
• The other sponsor need not be Catholic, but must be a practicing Christian and have a firm faith.

Eucharist is available daily within the celebration of the Mass or a communion service. See the bulletin cover for times. If you are homebound either temporarily or permanently, unable to attend Mass and would like to receive communion in the home, contact Sister Maria at the Parish Office Center—922-0715 x3334. First Eucharist usually happens in the second grade. This year the dates have been scheduled for the weekend of May 3 and 4, 2008. Contact Carol Greulich at 347-2646 or cgreulich@lourdes.org  for more information.
Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Saturday from 9:00-3:30, beginning with a communion service at 8:30 a.m. and ending with benediction at 3:30. If you would like to volunteer on a regular basis to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament for a half hour or an hour, contact the POC or sign up on the sheets provided in the gathering space
 

Confirmation is received by eighth graders. Preparation for this sacrament takes place either at Our Lady of Lourdes School or in the Religious Education Program. In the year 2008 the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place Thursday evening, February 28. For more information, contact Carol Greulich at 347-2646.

Reconciliation is celebrated Saturdays from 2:00-3:30 p.m., the Thursday before every first Friday from 1:00-2:00 p.m. and 7:00-8:00 p.m. Outside of those times parishioners can also make an appointment with the pastor. First Reconciliation usually happens in the second grade. This year the date is Wednesday, November 7, beginning at 7 p.m. in the church. Contact Carol Greulich at 347-2646 for more information.

Anointing of the Sick can be requested whenever desired either in the home or in the hospital. Contact the Parish Office Center at 922-0715, or in the case of an emergency or serious illness call 347-2641.

Marriage preparation normally begins eight months prior to the pre-arranged wedding date. Contact the Parish Office Center at 922-0715 to select a date with the consent of the pastor or deacon.

Holy Orders: Have you ever thought of becoming a priest, a religious sister or brother, or a permanent deacon? If you feel called to consider a life of service for Christ and His church, feel free to talk with Fr. Dave, Fr. Ted, Sister Maria or Deacon Tom. You could also contact Fr. Kyle Schnippel, Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, 421-3131 or Holy Orders website.
 

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the Church’s way of initiating new members. It is the process during which one learns about the Catholic faith and decides whether or not he or she wishes to make a life commitment.

• Who may attend RCIA?
- Persons who have never been baptized as Christians.
- Persons who have been baptized in another Christian faith and are now interested in the Catholic tradition.
- Persons who were baptized in the Catholic tradition, but not raised as Catholics.

• Is a person obligated to become a Catholic after beginning the process?
There is no obligation to make any kind of commitment, nor is there any pressure exerted upon anyone to become a Catholic.

• What does a person do first if interested in pursuing Catholicism?
Contact Sister Maria Hill at the Parish Office Center at 922-0715 x3334 or mhill@lourdes.org. Yellow flyers explaining the process further are available at all church entrances.