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St. Michael's Parish |
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Baptism |
The Sacrament ..."is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord's will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism." (CATECHISM #1277)
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When is the Sacrament Administered? |
For infants and very young children there is a preparatory session required of parents. Parents are asked to call the office to make arrangements. It is presumed that the parent(s) are practicing Catholics registered in the parish. If the Catholic party is a member of another parish and is requesting Baptism at St. Michael, a letter form the pastor of that parish will be necessary for the sacrament to take place at here. Baptism classes are held at the convenience of the parents and the sacrament is administered at any of the weekend Masses, excluding Lent.
Adults desiring to join the Catholic community through Baptism and who have not been baptized with water and in the name of the Trinity in another Christian faith, will participate in the RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). Contact the parish office for information.
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Confirmation |
"Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit. ... to incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds." (CATECHISM #1316)
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When is the Sacrament Administered? |
Confirmation has a one-year formal program (every other year) for young people in the seventh and eighth grade years of school. They are encouraged to attend religious education classes in the years preceding and following their Confirmation. Prepartion classes are held Sunday mornings after the 9:00 Mass. Confirmation is conferred by the Bishop at St. Andrew Cathedral in Grand Rapids, usually in the spring.
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Holy Eucharist |
As a Sacrament of Initiation, Holy Eucharist seals the intimate bond which Baptism establishes between Jesus Christ and his disciples and further unites a person to the church. For those baptized as infants, the early years of life are nourished in the Christian family, the domestic church. The family, in turn, should be rooted in the parish community and participating in the weekly celebration of the Lord's Day in order to begin the preparation process for the child.
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When is the Sacrament Administered? |
Children are encouraged to participate in religious education classes in the years preceding their First Eucharist. During a child's second grade year, a catechist, along with the parents, will prepare children through a sacramental preparation program held Sunday mornings after the 9:00 am Mass. Older children by special arrangements. Contact the parish office for more information.
Adults entering the Catholic Church receive their First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday.
Catholics returning to the full practice of the faith are urged to receive Holy Eucharist after the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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Reconciliation |
"The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament called the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation." (CATECHISM #1486)
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When is the Sacrament Administered? |
In accordance with Diocesan policy, children preparing for First Eucharist are offered the Sacrament of Reconciliation with their parents before their first reception of the Eucharist. Sacramental preparation classes take place on Sunday mornings and the sacrament is administered sometime during Advent.
For the Parish at large, Reconciliation is offered every Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until 4:30 before the 5:00 liturgy. During Advent and Lent additional private reconciliation times are made available along with communal penance services. Please consult the bulletin during these seasons or call the parish office for times.
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Anointing of the Sick |
"The sacrament has as its purpose the conferral
of a special grace on the Christian experiencing
the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave
illness or old age." (Catechism) #1527
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When is the Sacrament Administered? |
The Sacrament of the Anointing is offered in the parish on a communal basis at least once a year. Individual anointing is always available by calling the parish office. If you are aware of anyone seriously ill, at home or in the hospital, you are urged to call the office as soon as possible!!
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Matrimony |
"The Sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of
Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to
love each other with the love with which Christ has
loved the Church. The grace of the sacrament thus
perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens
their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the
way to eternal life." (Catechism) #1661
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When is the Sacrament Administered? |
Arrangements for the Sacrament of Matrimony must be made six months in advance by calling the Parish Office. If a previous marriage is involved, NO DATE CAN BE SET for the marriage until and if the previous marital bond can be and is declared null and void in the Church Marriage Court.
In the case of a Catholic who wishes to be married in the Church, he/she must be a practicing Catholic registered in the parish. If he/she is a member of another parish, a letter of delegation is to be received from the pastor of the parish of registration.
All Couples must participate in our Pre Cana Program unless other arrangements are made with Fr. Michael Burt or Deacon Bob Cathcart. The marriage preparation program at St. Michael's is a vibrant and growing ministry. The program ministers to engaged couples from within and outside our parish and is committed to building strong marriages by providing a Catholic faith based foundation. Couples participate in a four week session, listening to presentations on Communication Skills, Finances, Natural Family Planning, Christian Parenting, and Marital Spirituality and sharing their thoughts on some of marriages more demanding questions. For more information on this program and class dates please contact the parish office.
