SACRAMENTS

All parents are welcomed and encouraged to bring their children to the Sacrament of baptism. You are accepting the responsibility of training your children, as their first teachers, in the Catholic faith by participating each Sunday in the Eucharist and receiving the sacraments; you are encouraged to participate in the Sunday liturgy as a family. If you have been away from the Church, this would be a good time to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation and return to the practice of your faith. If you have not been married in Church, you are encouraged to begin that process.

Parents are asked to arrange for the baptism of a newborn child at least one month prior to the desired date and, at that time, have all necessary documents in place; contact the parish secretary at 216-361- 1444. A baptism should be scheduled with the Pastor, including participation in a training session to prepare for your child’s baptism. Baptisms usually occur on a Saturday after the Vigil Mass or on a Sunday after morning Masses.
 

Baptismal Sponsor

A child to be baptized requires a sponsor (i.e., godparent) who, together with the parents, will present the child at Baptism and help the baptized lead a Christian life. Only one male or one female sponsor, or one of each sex, is required by Canon Law (Canons 849-878).

A sponsor must be at least 16 years old, a baptized Catholic who has been confirmed, someone who has received the Eucharist, and someone who leads a life in harmony with the Faith and the role to be undertaken. If married, the sponsor must be married in the Catholic Church. A sponsor may not be the father or the mother of the one to be baptized.

A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic Church may not be admitted as a sponsor but may serve as a Christian witness to Baptism, and then only with a Catholic sponsor. All sponsors, including St. Vitus parishioners, must obtain a letter of recommendation from their parish to be turned in to the Rectory Office. All necessary documents must be turned in before the baptism can be scheduled.

Sacramental preparation is part of parish life and, as such, is celebrated as a parish community.

The Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are typically celebrated during the second grade year. Preparation involves the participation of the parent and child at weekly Mass; at times, a monthly preparation gathering; study of the sacramental resources; and the child’s attendance in a Catholic day school or PSR. Children are required to have been baptized and completed at least first grade religious education to be eligible for the sacraments. This sacrament is planned with the Pastor.

Reconciliation is a sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ in his love and mercy to offer sinners forgiveness for offenses committed against God. This is also known as “Confession” or “Penance.” At the same time, sinners reconcile with the Church, as it is also wounded by sins. This Sacrament is planned with the Pastor.

When we sin, we hurt ourselves, our neighbor, and God. Through Reconciliation, we acknowledge our sins before God and His Church. We express sorrow in a meaningful way, receive the forgiveness of Christ and his Church, make reparation for what we have done, and resolve to improve in the future. Forgiveness of sins is a four-part process:

• Act of Contrition: a sincere sorrow for having offended God, and the most important act of the penitent; there can be no forgiveness of sin if we do not have sorrow and have a firm resolve not to repeat our sin.
• Confession: confronting our sins in a profound manner before God by speaking about them to the priest.
• Penance: this important part of our healing is what the priest imposes in reparation for our sins.
• Absolution: the priest speaks the words by which “God, the Father of Mercies” reconciles a sinner to Himself through the merits of the Cross.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is typically received by a young person in grade seven or eight who has received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and First Communion. They are now considered, by way of additional religious instruction and maturity, candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The time and place for preparation to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation is determined by the Pastor, who works in conjunction with the Office of The Bishop, diocese of Cleveland.

For some children and adults, however, they may not yet be ready to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation ( e.g. a child who has been baptized but has not since received any formal religious instruction in the Catholic faith). This may require taking part in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

Contact the Pastor to discuss arrangements before setting a marriage date.

• Typically, parishioners of St. Vitus need to be registered and active members before requesting a date for marriage, with preparation usually requiring at least six months prior to the wedding date.
• The couple typically makes an appointment with the Pastor for the wedding preparation program with which the Pastor is personally engaged.

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick was traditionally referred to as “Extreme Unction” or “Last Rites.” This Sacrament had been previously administered to a person near death for the primary purpose of remission of sins. Since the Second Vatican Council, however, it has been used for all individuals who are gravely ill, may be undergoing a serious medical procedure, or have a serious medical condition. This Sacrament may be administered more than once.

The Anointing of the Sick may occur during Mass. In some cases, this Sacrament is preceded by the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.