The joyous event of the birth of a child is as important to an entire family, as baptism is to the parish family. Baptism is a sign of our unity with our faith community and a witness to our desire to be part of the discipleship of Christ.

At Sacred Heart and Saint Ann’s we preferably celebrate baptisms during weekend Masses (Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.). When necessary baptisms can take place outside of Mass. During Lent baptisms traditionally take place after the noon Mass.

To schedule a baptism and to make arrangements for baptism preparation, please contact Deacon Nicholas Valvo at 252-7271, ext. 204 or nvalvo@dor.org. This meeting is an opportunity to answer questions and discuss the importance of parental faith formation responsibilities for the child.

In baptizing infants parents should take the responsibility for choosing a godparent(s) who will serve as a good example for living the Catholic way of life.

While it is customary to have two godparents, only one is required. One godparent must be a fully initiated Roman Catholic, at least sixteen years of age, and registered in a parish.

A baptized non-Catholic may be chosen as a Christian witness when there is at least one Catholic godparent.

Godparents should be willing to commit the time to nurture and support the child and the parents. The support should be ongoing through this family’s faith journey. Celebrating the reception of Eucharist and Confirmation, the two other sacraments of initiation, would be important times of presence and participation.

                --Catechism of the Catholic Church
 

The Sacrament of Penance (sometimes called "confession" or "the Sacrament of Reconciliation") is the gift through which we enter into the mercy, forgiveness and peace of Christ.

Christ, who offered himself on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, invites us to turn our hearts away from sin and to be faithful to His gospel of love. If one turns humbly to God, no sin is too great that it cannot be forgiven. Individual celebrations of the Sacrament of Penance can be made every Saturday afternoon between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m at Sacred Heart Church. The reconciliation area is located in the Church Conference Room. If this time is impossible for you, please call Fr. Michael Brown (252-7297) or Fr. Felicjan Sierotowicz (252-7261) to make an appointment.

Communal penance services are celebrated prior to Christmas and Easter. Please check the church bulletin for exact dates and times.

1. Examination of Conscience: Prayerfully examine what it is you have done wrong, what the quality of your relationships (with yourself, with those around you and with God) is, and what and how you want to improve.

2. Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance:
٠Begin with the sign of the cross and trust in God’s mercy.
٠Mention how long it has been since your last confession.
٠Confess your sins.
٠Allow the priest to encourage your faith.
٠Accept a penance of prayer, fasting, or good works suggested by you or by the priest.
٠Make an act of contrition or prayer asking for God’s mercy (the priest will help you if you have forgotten this prayer).
٠Listen as the priest proclaims God’s forgiveness.
٠Go in peace.

3. Carrying Out Your Penance: Complete your reconciliation with God and the Church by carrying out your penance and by celebrating the Eucharist on the next Sunday.

4.Continue to Live in God’s Love: Always trust God’s loving presence during daily prayer, Sunday Mass and the making of good choices.

There are preparation sessions for parents and children who are ready to celebrate this sacrament.

A child is considered ready to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance when...
·there is an age-appropriate awareness of their relationship with God and neighbor
·knowledge they can harm that relationship through sin
·an experience of sorrow for the commitment of sin
·the realization they need to change their behavior
·must have an ability to talk with the priest about their sins

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY EUCHARIST

Sacrament of Holy Eucharist at Sacred Heart and Saint Ann’s

In every Mass, Christ is present under the form of bread and wine as well as present in each of us. In every Mass, his death becomes a present reality, offered as our sacrifice to God, in a sacramental manner. In Holy Communion we receive the risen Lord, our bread of life. In doing so, we enter into the very core of the paschal mystery, the death and resurrection of Christ.

The Sacrament of the Eucharist was entrusted by Christ to the Church as spiritual nourishment and as a pledge of eternal life. The Church continues to receive this gift with faith and love.

Sacred Heart and Saint Ann’s provides preparation sessions for parents and children who are ready to prepare for a deeper level of participation. Readiness for the sacrament involves...
·desire to receive communion 
·regular participation in the worship life of the parish
·involvement in ongoing faith formation either in the parish program or Catholic School

Some criteria to help determine a child’s readiness for First Communion:
٠Does the child participate in Sunday Mass on a regular basis?
٠Does the child participate in religious education classes through the Catholic School or parish religious education programs?
٠Does the child know the responses and prayers at Mass?
٠Does the child pray regularly?
٠Does the child exhibit the capacity for reverence that is necessary for sharing in communion?

Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, those already baptized, receive the seal of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation brings a deepening of baptismal grace. Along with Baptism and Eucharist, Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation into the full life of the Catholic Church. Enriched with the strength of the Holy Spirit those confirmed become true witnesses of Christ and obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.

The Confirmation program is a special time for the candidates to explore, deepen and strengthen their faith. Confirmation candidates choose the Catholic faith as a way of life.

The recommended age for Confirmation is the eighth grade; however, a student meeting the following criteria may request to be a candidate for confirmation.
٠Is welling to commit to participation in the preparation program at this time
٠Regularly participates in Sunday Eucharist
٠Regularly participates in Religious Education/Youth Ministry program
٠Regularly prays and reflects on God’s presence in his/her life
٠Willingly serves those in need

"Recognizing that each person’s spiritual development is unique, readiness of each candidate, not age or grade level, is the determining factor for admission to the process for preparation for confirmation."

                  --Taken from Sacramental Life in the Diocese of Rochester
 

To receive the Sacrament of Anointing you do not need to be on the verge of dying. Anyone with a serious physical or mental illness, a drug or alcohol addiction, or pre-surgery may receive this sacrament.

If you or a member of your family would like to share in the grace of this healing sacrament, you may make arrangements by calling the Parish Office (252-7271) and contacting Sister Chris Treichel at 252-7271 or 246-8004

If you or a loved one is homebound or in a nursing home and would like communion, please contact the Parish Office         (252-7271).

"In bringing communion to them the minister of communion represents Christ and manifests faith and charity on behalf of those who cannot be present at the Eucharist. For the sick the reception of communion is not only a privilege but also a sign of support and concern shown by the Christian community for its members who are ill."

               --From the introduction of Communion in Ordinary Circumstances