Sacraments are outward signs instituted by Christ of inward grace granted at certain times in a person's life. "The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life" (CCC 1210). Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony are the sacraments of the Catholic Church. In addtion to participating in the sacraments, we are invited to grow in our faith through daily prayer, devotion, and reflection.
BAPTISM
Baptism is the first sacrament, uniting us to the Christ as the Holy Spirit moves us to increase in holiness. We receive new life in Christ as our original sin is removed. Its sign is the pouring of water. Our new birth in the Holy Spirit uplifts us, helping us to choose 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.
For specific information on Baptisms at St. Michael Church, click here.
For more information on the Sacrament of Baptism in general, click here.
RECONCILIATION
Jesus entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Church 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. The Sacrament of Penance frees us from our sins, as well as challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. We are liberated to be forgivers. We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: "It is in pardoning that we are pardoned."
Reconcilation is regularly offered at St. Michael Church on Thursdays from 6pm to 7:30pm, and Saturdays 3pm to 3:45pm.
Children generally make their First Reconciliation through our participation in our Religious Education Program.
For more information on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, click here.
EUCHARIST
Jesus Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper on the night before he died. The Eucharist in the Catholic Church is a sacrament celebrated as "the source and summit" of the Christian life. During the the eucharistic liturgy of the Mass, Christ gives us His own body and blood in the Holy Eucharist, and we are called to participate in this sacrifice.
Children generally make their First Eucharist through our participation in our Religious Education Program.
Adults who are new to the faith can prepare for this sacrament through our RCIA Program.
For more information on the Eucharist, click here.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life, calling us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner giving great emphasis to the person of Jesus Christ. Its signs are the laying on of hands on a person’s head, most often by a bishop, and anointing with oil. Like Baptism, Confirmation is received only once.
Children generally receive Confirmation through our participation in our Religious Education Program.
Adults who are new to the faith can prepare for this sacrament through our RCIA Program.
For more information on the Sacrament of Confirmation, click here.
HOLY MARRIAGE
Sacred Scripture begins with the creation and union of man and woman and ends with "the wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:7, 9). Man and woman were created for each other, and by their marriage, the couple witnesses Christ's spousal love for the Church. The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant is a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.
For specific information on Marriages at St. Michael Church, click here.
For more information on the Sacrament of Marriage, click here.
HOLY ORDERS
While all the baptized share in Christ's priesthood, the ministerial priesthood shares this through the Sacrament of Holy Orders in a special way. Ordination to the priesthood, and the vows of a religious sister or brother are 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. 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.
Learn more about priestly discernment in the Diocese of Memphis here.
For more information on the Holy Orders, click here.
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. The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient. 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.
Contact the Parish Office to schedule an Anointing of the Sick.
For more information on the Anointing of the Sick, click here.