Sacraments

Sacraments
Reconciliation/Penance Click here for more info.
The forgiveness of sins is a true sacrament instituted by Christ.  Only a validly ordained priest may minister this sacrament.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at St. Margaret Mary Parish on Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., 1/2 hour prior to each Sunday Mass, and by appointment.
Anointing of the Sick Click here for more info.
Only a validly ordained priest may celebrate the anointing of the sick, administering to those who are dangerously ill or weakened due to advanced age.  It is advisable that, where possible, persons anticipating treatments and/or surgery for illnesses of a serious nature should be anointed prior to the treatment and/or surgery.

The priests of St. Margaret Mary Parish provide anointing to those in the hospital, nursing homes, or at one's residence, whenever necessary.
 
Baptism Click here for more info.
Baptisms are generally scheduled after the Noon Mass on three Sundays of each month.  Please call the church office at 643-6124 to register someone for Baptism.   Once registered, the family will be contacted by a Deacon who will arrange to meet with the family to prepare them for the Baptism.  

Regarding the sponsors (Godparents) for Baptism, at least one of the sponsors must be a practicing Catholic who has received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Eucharist Click here for more info.
Catholics fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when they receive Holy Communion in fulfillment of Christ's command to eat His Body and drink His Blood.  In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, communicants should not be conscious of grave sin, have fasted from food and drink for one hour (with the exception of water or medicine), and seek to live in charity and love with their neighbors.  Persons conscious of grave sign must first be reconciled with God and the Church through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance).   A person may receive the Eucharist daily.

For information on receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time, please contact the Office of Religious Education at 649-3055.
Confirmation Click here for more info.
Baptized Catholics are confirmed by a bishop through anointing with chrism on the forehead which is done with the imposition of the hand at an annual celebration of Confirmation which is held at St. Margaret Mary Church.    However, those persons of catechetical age, children or adults, who are received into the Church through the R.C.I.A. process receive the sacraments of initiation (including Confirmation) at the Easter Vigil Mass.

To be a sponsor for Confirmation, a person must:
     -  be designated by the person to be confirmed;
     -  be at least 16 years old;
     -  be a Catholic who has been confirmed and who leads a life in harmony with the faith
                and the role of sponsor;
     -  not be bound by any canonical penalty;
     -  not be the parents, natural or adoptive, of the person being confirmed.

For additional information, please contact the office of religious education at 649-3055.
Matrimony Click here for more info.
A couple desiring to be married should contact the priest/deacon at least six (6) months prior to the proposed date of their wedding.   This interval allows time to prepare well for such a sacred commitment.
Holy Orders Click here for more info.
Holy Orders is a sacrament instituted by Christ who ordained the Apostles at the Last Supper. It is administered by the laying on of hands and the key phrases of the ordination preface. Only a Bishop can validly ordain. The effect of the sacrament of Holy Orders is to impart the Holy Spirit and to impress an indelible character, which permanently distinguishes those in orders from the laity. The laity also has a part in Christ's priesthood, but in another manner. The office of Bishop is above the priesthood (which in turn is above the diaconate) and gives special powers of consecration. To the priesthood belong the celebration of Holy Mass, the power of forgiving sins, and the anointing of the sick.  Conditions for the valid reception of Holy Orders are baptism and being of the male sex.