The Church provides us with seven sacraments to help us grow in our faith through the grace imbued in each sacrament. These sacraments, outward signs of God’s grace, can be classified into three groups:
The Rite of Baptism for Children includes these words, "The Christian community welcomes you with great joy." And it is also with great joy that we help parents prepare for the baptism of their baby. In bringing forward your child for baptism, you seek to make a permanent connection between your child and Christ with the Christian community. No matter how close or distant your own relationship with God, the new life of your child has stirred a desire in you to seek baptism for him or her. In this sacrament, the Christian community promises to walk beside you in nurturing the faith of your child.
Click the button to download the Baptismal Request Form and submit it to the parish office. On this form, it lists the requirements of the Godparents. Please do not choose Godparents until you have seen the requirements listed and you know that they can fulfill this role faithfully. Godparents will also need to answer the godparent related questions on the form. Once we have received the completed Baptismal Request Form, a member of the clergy or the Faith Formation director will contact you to guide you in the next steps towards the baptism of your child.
Once the online formation has been viewed, parents will be required to attend a baptismal preparation class. This will be scheduled with you following your submittal of the Baptismal Request form. The class must be completed before the parish will confirm a date for baptism. If you have previously had a child baptized in our pastoral region in the last five years, the preparation class may be waived by the pastor.
Baptisms should be celebrated within Mass on Saturday afternoon or Sunday mornings. Baptisms may be celebrated by one of our Deacons outside of Mass but this is not considered the norm. There must be a solid reason why the baptism cannot be celebrated with the parish community present.
On-line resources are available to help you understand more fully the Sacrament of Baptism from the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops:
The sacrament of Confirmation is held in the fall each year. If you know anyone currently in seventh grade please commit to praying for them as they prepare to receive the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Confirmation.
If you have any questions about sacraments, or if there are adults in our region who would like to be involved in any of these ministries, please contact Dave Nissen: dnissen@wintonwyomingpr.org
Parents are supported as the primary religious educators of their children and are given opportunities, along with their children preparing to receive the sacraments, to participate in faith formation classes as well as mini-retreats with their children. Children preparing to receive first sacraments must participate in two years of religious instruction prior to reception of the sacraments as a way of assuring that they have sufficient understanding of the meaning and significance of the sacrament they are to receive. Please contact Dave Nissen for further information.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation provides a special, grace-filled opportunity for each of us to recognize the pain of sin in our lives and experience the forgiveness of God and others through the grace in this sacrament. If you are reluctant to come to the sacrament or have been away for a long time an examination of conscience will help you prepare for the sacrament. Reconciliation may done face-to-face or anonymously with a screen between you and the priest. You may choose the option which is most comfortable for you. The sacrament is also available by appointment by calling your Parish Office.
As the name of this sacrament implies, the Anointing of the Sick is available to any member of our Parish family who is seriously ill, chronically ill or anticipating surgery or other significant hospitalization. Family members are encouraged to celebrate the sacrament together with the person receiving the anointing. It is especially appropriate to receive the sacrament during a weekday morning Mass or after a weekend Mass so that the gathered church family can surround the anointed one with prayers for healing. If it is not possible or practical to receive the sacrament at Mass, other arrangements may be made by calling the Parish Office.
Please contact a member of the clergy in our region if you have heard the call and would like to find out more detailed information.
Couples preparing for marriage are asked to contact the Pastor a minimum of six months before their wedding. Several meetings are required with the Pastor and a couple from our Marriage Ministry team. Plans for the wedding Liturgy and accompanying music are done in collaboration with the Pastor and Music Director.
You’re Invited …..to Take That First Step
Have you been worshiping with us, but never officially took the step to become Catholic?
Have you been away from the church … and have now returned, but want to know more?
Have you been a Catholic all your life, but not celebrated all of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation)?
Have you been a Catholic all your life, but still need to know some of the fundamentals of our faith?
Have you joined us from a different background and would now like to find out more about the Catholic Church?
If any of the above questions apply to you, we would love to help you in your journey! Or, if you know of anyone who could answer YES to any of the above questions, perhaps you should extend them an invitation to learn more.
Please contact Dave Nissen at dnissen@wintonwyomingpr.org if you would like more information.
On Becoming a Member of the Catholic Church – for children age 7 and older
If a child age 7 and older wishes to become a member of the Catholic Church and receive the Sacramnets of Baptism, First Communion or Confirmation, they will receive their preparation through the R.C.I.A. for Children which is similar to the process for adults. Please contact one of the deacons in our region for more information or to arrange the necessary preparation.