Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
Reconciliation
Marriage
Permanent Diaconate
Sacrament of the Sick
Rite
of Christian Initiation
of Adults (RCIA)
Baptism
Catholic parents wishing to have a child baptized are required to
attend baptismal preparation sessions prior to their celebration of the
sacrament. Non-Catholic parents are encouraged to participate in
these sessions with their Catholic spouse. Baptisms are scheduled
monthly, either at a Sunday parish Mass or outside of Mass on Sunday
afternoon. The schedule for Baptisms and for the preparation
sessions are announced periodically in the bulletin.
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Confirmation
People who are Baptized, receive the Eucharist, and practice their
Catholic faith may request the Sacrament of Confirmation from the
Church.
To begin formal preparation for this sacrament, the person must
be at least age 15 and have completed the ninth grade.
Enrollment
and participation in the Religious Education program is also required.
Candidates themselves make the final decision to receive the
Sacrament
of Confirmation.
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Eucharist
Children in the second grade are invited to celebrate the
Eucharist for the first time in the spring of that year. While
parents are
the prime educators of their children in the faith, they are assisted
in
their child's preparation for the Eucharist by parish formation
programs.
Church organized parent sessions are required of all Catholic
parents
of second graders who wish to have their children celebrate First
Eucharist. Non-Catholic parents are encouraged to participate in these
sessions
with their Catholic spouses.
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Reconciliation
Children in the second grade are invited to celebrate first
Reconciliation in the spring of that year. While parents
are the prime educators of their children in the faith, they are
assisted in their child's preparation for their first Reconciliation by
parish formation programs. Church organized parent sessions are
required of all Catholic parents of second graders who wish to have
their children celebrate first Reconciliation. Non-Catholic
parents are encouraged to participate in these sessions with their
Catholic spouses.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered individually as
scheduled in the bulletin, as well as by request. Communal
celebrations occur periodically and are announced in the bulletin.
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Marriage
The Sacrament of Marriage can be celebrated at a time convenient to the
couple and in accordance with the parish schedule. The date and time of
the celebration must be scheduled only with a priest or deacon of the
parish. Since it is necessary for the couple to participate in
marriage preparation prior to their wedding, the couple must contact a
priest or deacon of the parish at least six months prior to their
desired marriage. The Saint Cecilia Parish
Wedding Handbook, which is also
available from
the Parish Office, contains additional information and
guidelines. Also, please see
Wedding
Music Guidelines and
Wedding
Music Outline for guidance and assistance in choosing your wedding
music.
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Permanent Diaconate
The Second Vatican Council restored the ministry of the permanent
diaconate at the discretion of the National Conference of Bishops and
with the approval of the local bishop. Saint Cecilia Parish is
the designated parish for the ministry of a number of permanent deacons.
The permanent deacon shares in the Sacrament of Holy Orders as a cleric
in the church. Following an extensive formation program, he
visibly manifests the church's presence in the larger community.
The deacon functions in the liturgical, educational, and
charitable activities of the parish. In his liturgical ministry,
a deacon may proclaim the Gospel and give homilies, baptize, solemnize
marriages, and preside at funeral
services.
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Sacrament of the
Sick
The Sacrament of the Sick is available at any time by request.
Please call the Parish Office, 233-3092.
Communal Celebrations of this sacrament are scheduled at various times
with dates and times published in the bulletin.
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Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults (RCIA)
The RCIA journey of faith is a four step process that provides
adults the opportunity to encounter the Christian faith as it is
understood and lived in the Roman Catholic Church. RCIA helps the
candidate develop the spiritual, intellectual, and social aspects of
each candidate's life
of faith in God. The process leads to the Sacraments of
Initiation (Baptism, if the person is not already baptized, Eucharist,
and Confirmation) for those candidates who freely choose to belong to
the Catholic Church.
RCIA also provides support for newly initiated
members.
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Last updated: 2 June 2008 wjh