Sacraments
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Documents
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Confession Times
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM St. Denis Church
- Saturday: 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM St. Joseph Church 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM St. Augustine Church 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM St. Francis Xavier Church
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Marriage &Family Resources
- A list of Marriage Preparation programs can be found on the diocesan website at: www.portlanddiocese.org/marriage.
- For Your Marriage is a website created by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that offers a variety of resources for married couples, divorced couples, and anyone involved in marriage ministries. To view the resources, visit: www.foryourmarriage.org.
- At their November 2015 General Assembly, the U.S. bishops overwhelmingly approved a formal statement that addresses the many harmful effects of pornography use and offers a word of hope and healing for all who have been negatively affected by pornography. To read the statement, entitled “Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography,” visit: www.usccb.org/cleanheart. Resources for married couples struggling with pornography use can be found at: www.foryourmarriage.org/everymarriage/overcomingobstacles/pornography.
- Information about The Catholic’s Survival Guide, a supportive group program for men and women who have suffered from divorce, can be found at: www.catholicsdivorce.com.
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A sacrament is a gift from God. It is an encounter with God. It is an opportunity to receive God's grace. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist (Communion) are called the "Sacraments of Initiation." Marriage and Holy Orders are "Sacraments of Service." Reconciliation (Confession) and Anointing of the Sick are "Sacraments of Healing." They are all special ways to meet God and grow closer to Him.
Some sacraments, like Eucharist, Marriage, Reconciliation, and Anointing the of Sick, can be celebrated more than once. The others can only be celebrated once.
Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism is the first of the three “Sacraments of Christian Initiation.” Confirmation and Eucharist are the others. Baptism welcomes the person into the family of God and membership in the Body of Christ. It is a sacrament we celebrate only once.
Baptism is the greatest gift a person can receive, whether as an infant, child, or adult. Baptism frees us from sin and starts us on our life-long journey to know and love God. Baptism is not something to “get done” because of family tradition. It is the entry into a Catholic Christian community and a life of faith in Jesus Christ. This is why the Catholic Church encourages baptism in infancy rather than waiting until a child can choose for his/herself. Why deprive a child of God’s special love and a good start in a life of faith by delaying baptism until later?
Baptism is usually celebrated at any Mass (limited to two) on any weekend in each of our Churches except during Lent. Parents must attend the pre-Baptism classes prior to the Baptism. Please contact the Pastoral Center prior to the birth of your baby.
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The Sacrament of Confirmation
This is the second of the “Sacraments of Christian Initiation.” This sacrament is usually celebrated in second grade along with First Eucharist. This sacrament seals the baptized person with the grace and gifts of the Holy Spirit and gives the person additional strength to live his/her faith.
Adults and children over second grade age who have not celebrated Confirmation receive additional preparation for this sacrament which is usually received at Easter. To arrange for this sacrament, please contact the Pastoral Center.The Sacrament of Eucharist
First Eucharist iscelebrated in second grade along with the sacrament of Confirmation (and Baptism, if needed). This is the last of the three “Sacraments of Christian Initiation” and completes the person’s welcoming into the Catholic Faith.
Adults or the parent(s) of children past second grade who have not celebrated First Eucharist should contact Sr. Carol, to arrange for this sacrament.
For questions regarding Communion to the Homebound, please contact the Pastoral Center or 207-623-8823.
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The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance or Confession)
In this sacrament we are absolved of our sins. There are several forms of this sacrament but the most common is direct confession to a priest. You may see the priest face-to-face or speak through a screen. You may celebrate the sacrament in church at scheduled times or by appointment with a priest either in church or in the priest’s office.
In the sacrament of Reconciliation we express sorrow for our sins and promise to do our best to not repeat this sin again, we acknowledge our sins before God, we receive pardon (absolution), and we perform an act of penance or reconciliation as directed by the priest. The grace we receive from the reception of the sacrament helps us grow stronger in our faith and our ability to live a Christ-centered life.
Any baptized Catholic may receive this sacrament. There is no limit to the number of times we can be forgiven for our sins! Catholics are encouraged to receive this sacrament at least once a year between the start of Lent and Pentecost. Catholics who have committed serious sin are not to receive the Eucharist until their serious sin has been forgiven in the sacrament of Reconciliation.
Saturdays: St. Joseph, St. Augustine and St. Francis Xavier 3:00 - 3:30 and St. Denis, Sunday at 10:30 am., or by personal request.
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Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
In this sacrament, those who are gravely ill, in danger of death, have been seriously injured, or are preparing for serious surgery are anointed with holy oil (link to Oils). This anointing and the accompanying prayers strengthen the person that they may endure their suffering and assure them that God walks with them through their difficult times.
This sacrament is often combined with the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. These give the person additional spiritual strength and grace. If the person is near death, the Eucharist is called “Viaticum” which means “food for the journey”. It strengthens us for our journey home to God.
For questions about Anointing of the Sick or to schedule an appointment with a priest for the Sacrament, call the Pastoral Center at 623-8823.
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The Sacrament of Marriage
In the sacrament of Marriage, a baptized man and/or a baptized woman vow to love, honor, and respect one another. They promise to be faithful to one another, to honor their vows until the death of their spouse, and to accept children lovingly from God.
They make this pledge before the priest and other witnesses. The Church considers this bond to be sacred, unbreakable, and binding until the death of one of the spouses.
Marriage, like priesthood, religious, or single life, is a vocation – a calling from God. The sacrament of marriage gives the husband and wife the grace to live a life focused on serving God through their love for one another and to raise their children in the Catholic faith.
Call the Pastoral Center at 207-623-8823 to make arrangements at least six months in advance of your wedding date. Couples must attend a preparation program prior to the wedding.
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Sacrament of Holy Orders (Ordination)
In the sacrament of Holy Orders, a man is ordained a priest, deacon, or bishop.
A priest promises to live a life of celibacy and of obedience to his local bishop. He is given the command to teach, minister, and govern: to teach the people of God and bring them closer to God, to minister the sacraments, and to govern the people, typically through parish ministry.
A deacon may be “permanent” or “transitional”. A permanent deacon is a man who may or may not be married and who has committed his life in service to the church. A transitional deacon is one who intends to become a priest. A deacon, whether permanent or transitional, may baptize and may officiate at weddings.
If interested in becoming a priest or consecrated religious contact Fr. Seamus Griesbach 207-773-6471 seamus.griesbach@portlanddiocese.org or Sr. Rita Mae Bissonnette @ 207-773-6471 ritamae.bissonnette@portlanddiocese.org.