The Sacraments


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Sacrament of Baptism

“Baptism, is the gate to the sacraments and necessary for salvation.  It is in fact or at least in intention, the way by which men and women are freed from their sins and reborn as children of God.  It is through baptism that we are configured to Christ by an indelible character and incorporated into the Church.  It is validly conferred only by washing with true water together with the form of words.”
(Canon 849)


It has been the constant practice of the Roman Catholic Church from the earliest times to administer the sacrament of Baptism to infants. It is natural that parents want to pass along their own faith to their child and their values that flow from that faith. Baptism marks the beginning of this faith life.

Couples who are expecting their first child or who are new to the parish are expected to attend a preparation process well in advance of the baptism. This is scheduled through contact with the Pastoral Assistant for Faith Formation, Patrick Ryland. Topics include theology of baptism and sin, symbols of Baptism, the role of godparents, and an overview of the Baptism Ceremony. Contact the Parish Office at 385-385-3700 for more information.

Parish Baptism Policy and Procedures:



First Communion and Reconciliation

Instruction in the sacrament of the Eucharist for children begins when they enter the second grade. If a child enters our program at a later age and needs to receive the sacraments, a two year program will be required. Candidates must have completed one year (70% attendance required to qualify as a year) of religious instruction prior to preparing for these sacraments. The program ensures that adequate formation in prayer, presence at Sunday Mass, and Christian living is fostered at home and in class. The sacramental preparation is a home taught program supplemented with added classroom instruction, and scheduled sacrament preparation and retreat for candidates and their parents. Orientation for parents and their children is in November of each year.

First Reconciliation is a private celebration which is completed when the parents and the Director of Faith Formation agree that the child is ready. First Holy Communion is a communal celebration which is usually celebrated in May of each year. Students are presented at the altar by their families to receive the sacrament.


For more information on both Baptism and First Reconciliation please contact the Parish Office at 360-385-3700.


Confirmation

Baptism, the Eucharist and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "Sacraments of Christian initiation" whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.


“The sacrament of confirmation impresses a character and by it the baptized, continuing on the path of Christian initiation, are enriched by the gifts of the Holy Spirit and are bound more perfectly to the Church; it strengthens them and obliges them more firmly to be witnesses to Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith.”
(Canon 879).

The Goals of the Confirmation process are intended to assure that the Confirmandi will:


  • Be empowered to make a commitment to the person of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church, and a Catholic Christian way of life,

  • Be able to understand, appreciate, and articulate the basic doctrines of the Catholic faith and the principles of personal social morality.


Following the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Seattle, the immediate preparation of youth who are entering their junior year in High School, or who are 16 years of age, may enter the parish-based program that is currently scheduled every other year. Students must complete the required course of study, including classes, outside work, a parish approved social work project with their family recording 40 hours of service, and attendance at all scheduled retreat(s). Candidates not maintaining a 70% attendance rate are considered to have alleged their intent to delay their receiving the sacrament. 


Contact the Parish Office at (385) 385-3700 for more information.

Sacramental Anointing of the Sick

The anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death.  It is most likely one of the last sacraments one will receive.  The sacrament is an outward sign established by Jesus Christ to confer inward grace to the recipient, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  The anointing of the sick conveys these graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude.  "The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects:  The uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church; the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the suffering of illness or old age; the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance; the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul; the preparation for passing over to eternal life" (CCC1532).  "The anointing of the sick is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death.  Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for them to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived".  In his steadfast love for us, the Lord gives us the sacraments involved in this rite to comfort us in illness and in our final days to prepare us for the journey ahead.


In the event of sacramental emergencies please contact the Parish Office at 360-385-3700.


(In case of need of assistance with funeral arrangements please contact the Parish Office at 360-385-3700)

Matrimony

The seventh sacrament is matrimony, which is a figure of the union of Christ and the Church, according to the words of the Apostle, "This is a great sacrament, but I speak in Christ and in the Church."  Christian marriage is a heavenly sacrament, and it is an outward sign of grace which provides interior grace as well.  It is an indivisible agreement of living a monogamous and faithful relationship, "for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, for better and for worse, until death do [they] part.  What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder"  Matthew 19:4-6.


For further information and regarding preparation classes contact the Parish Office at (360) 385-3700.