SACRAMENTS
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
St. Francis of Assisi – Sacraments
The Sacraments are God’s way of providing us with His grace when we most need it. The Catholic Church has seven sacraments, some relating to significant milestones in our lives, others being available when we need them. Each sacrament is a prescribed rite which uses visible signs signifying the particular grace being conferred.
Sacraments of Initiation
i. Baptism: Baptism is the sacrament by which we become a Christian. It can be received as a child or as an adult. It can only be received once but the Catholic Church recognizes the baptism conferred by many other Christian denominations.
ii. First Eucharist and Reconciliation: First Eucharist & Reconciliation (Eucharist) is the sacrament through which Catholics believe we are receiving the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. The bread and wine are transformed in the Mass at the part known as the Consecration and given out at the part known as Communion. Only those who believe in the transformation (known as the transubstantiation) should receive Holy Communion. Holy Communion can be received at any time, but the first reception of communion is considered part of the Initiation into the Catholic Church.
iii. Confirmation: Confirmation is the sacrament which marks the passage from childhood to becoming an active disciple of God. This sacrament can only be conferred once.
Sacraments of Healing
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession, is a powerful and healing sacrament in the Catholic Church. Through the act of confessing our sins to a priest and receiving absolution, we are granted the opportunity to experience the transformative power of God’s forgiveness.
If you wish to know more about any sacrament please contact our office.
Phone: 905-987-5446
Email: office@stfrancisnewcastle.ca
Registration Forms
How else can we help?
If you do not feel ready to come to one of our services, you can join one of our Groups to learn about one of the topics presented, or simply request our Prayer Group to pray for any concern you have.
