Baptism is the Sacrament which cleanses us from Original Sin, makes us Christians, children of God, and heirs of Heaven.
“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
(Source: St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism)
The following documents need to be provided at the time of the Baptism class:
Unbaptized persons at least 7 years of age are baptized on Easter Vigil or during the 50 days of the Easter Season. Proper preparation to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, namely, Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion, must be completed through RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Arrangements may be made through the rectory.
Godparents must be baptized Catholics who
Penance is the Sacrament by which sins committed after Baptism are forgiven through the absolution of the priest.
The priest has the power to forgive sins from Jesus Christ, who said to His apostles and to their successors in the priesthood: “Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.” (John 20:22-23)
(Source: St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism)
Saturdays: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and between evening Masses
Eve of Holy Day: after Masses
Advent Reconciliation Monday: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Lenten Reconciliation Monday: 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Good Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Holy Saturday: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament which contains the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine. In the Holy Eucharist, which is a sacrifice as well, the Lord Christ is offered and received.
“I am the living bread that has come down from heaven. If anyone eat of this bread, he shall live forever.” (John 6:51-52)
(Source: St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism)
Adults are received fully into the Catholic Church and receive their First Holy Communion on Easter Vigil or during the 50 days of the Easter Season. Preparation to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, namely, Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion, must be completed through RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Arrangements may be made through the rectory.
The Holy Eucharist must be received worthily and reverently at all times.
Confirmation is the Sacrament through which the Holy Spirit comes to us in a special way and enables us to profess our faith as strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ.
“And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6)
(Source: St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism)
Adults are confirmed on Easter Vigil or during the 50 days of the Easter Season. Preparation to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, namely, Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion, must be completed through RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Arrangements may be made through the rectory.
Similar to being Baptism Godparents, Confirmation sponsors must be baptized Catholics who
Matrimony is the Sacrament which unites a Christian man and woman in lawful marriage.
Marriage was first instituted in the Garden of Eden, when God made Adam and Eve and made them husband and wife: “And God created man to his own image; to the image of God he created him. Male and female he created them. And God blessed them, saying “Increase and multiply, and fill the earth.” (Genesis 1:27-28)
(Source: St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism)
Whether you are getting married for the first time in the Catholic Church or not, consult with a priest or deacon at least six months in advance of the proposed wedding date and prior to the social arrangements. Attendance at Pre-Cana Conference and Natural Family Planning Classes is required.
Couples who are either not yet married, married civilly, or married outside the Catholic Church are encouraged to prayerfully consider getting married in the Church. Marriage brings countless benefits, namely, powerful graces from God for a happy and fruitful family life. St. Charles priests and deacons are available to discuss the possibility of your Catholic marriage.
Holy Orders is the Sacrament by which bishops, priests, and other ministers [deacons] of the Church are ordained and receive the power and grace to perform their sacred duties.
That a man may receive Holy Orders worthily it is necessary:
“Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the church of God that he acquired with his own blood.”
(Acts 20:28) (Source: St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism
The entire parish is called to pray for and encourage vocations to the sacred priesthood. Anyone who may be called by God to the priesthood or have been thinking and praying about that possibility should contact the pastor immediately for consultation. Who will be the first St. Charles parishioner to be ordained to the sacred priesthood? Who will be the next?
The Anointing of the Sick, by which the Church commends the faithful who are dangerously ill to the suffering and glorified Lord in order that he relieve and save them, is conferred by anointing them with oil and pronouncing the words prescribed in the liturgical books.
It is advisable to call the priest to visit the sick in any serious illness, even though there be no apparent danger of death, as it is the duty of the priest to visit the sick and to administer to them the sacraments they need.
“Is anyone sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven them.”
(James 5:14-15) (Source: 1983 Code of Canon Law #998, St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism)
The Sacraments of the Sick comfort and strengthen the seriously ill and the elderly. Please, do not wait until there is danger of death. In case of an emergency, call the rectory at any time. (718) 987-2670