Rite of Acceptance and Welcome

Greetings: Thank you all for your participation in the Rite of Acceptance and Welcome on Sunday. I appreciate your cooperation and willingness to be part of the community in this way. I have been doing the rite for several years and as I looked around the church I saw your faces, some serious and some with huge smiles.

Please remember that the cross is an important part of your journey. There will be some difficult times but just as many great times. Please wear them when you come to church on Sundays as a sign of your commitment to your journey to baptism, Eucharist, or confirmation.

Know that this community truly supports you and will continue support through the whole process.

WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember that there is no class this Tuesday, November 20 and there is no dismissal from Mass on Sunday, November 25. See you all Tuesday, November 27.

Deacon Buddy

Our Rite

Please be in the Daily Mass Chapel by 10:00 on Sunday, November 18th. We will be celebrating the Rite of Welcome at the 10:30 mass. This will be very very special for our candidates and catechumenate. You are welcome to invite friends and family members to join us.

Your sponsors already know exactly what to do and we will all be reminded on Sunday, please don't be late. Remember that this is a sacred occasion, you will be before the entire assembly - so of course - no flip flops :)

The Sacraments of the Church

Tuesday, November 6, Ms. Collette and Deacon Buddy spoke about the remainder of the sacraments. The previous Tuesday we spoke of the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist (Communion). They shared that the sacraments are broken up into three groups-
1. The Sacraments of Initiation

2. The Sacraments of Healing

3. The Sacraments of Service

Do you remember what sacrament goes in each group? First we need to name the sacraments and maybe they will help determine in what group they belong- They are: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation (Confession goes with this one), Matrimony, and Holy Orders.

This something to think about this week. It is certain that in the review you all we be asked which one goes where.

Remember:

Confirmation: the decending of the Holy Spirit upon is after baptism. It seals us with the advocate(helper) that was promised to us by Jesus. The Holy Spirit is with us always.

Anointing of the Sick is not just for those who are near death. It is a sacrament for the living, giving all of us strength to get better.

Reconciliation: We used to call this confession but confession is only one part of this sacrament. When we sin we break the realationship with have with God and with the community. When we go to the sacrament we are able to "heal" the relationship through the help of the priest. At the same time we can heal relationships with those we have hurt by the things we have done or failed to do.

Matrimony: a fancy word for marriage. It is a sacrament of service because the married couple help each other to live their lives with God as the center of their relationship. It is sometimes difficult but the married couple is called to pay attention to the other person and not always on themselves. In this way they both grow in their love for each other and their love for God.

Holy Orders: This sacrament is for those men who feel the call to commit their enitre lives to the service of God. They study and are "ordained" to this service and in a special way act as Christ on earth for God's people. We call these men priests and among other things they promise not to get married in order to better focus their attention on God's people. Also, in the sacrament of Holy Orders is someone called a Permanent Deacon. The deacon also dedicates his service to God and the church but in a different way than the priest. The permanent deacon can be married and normally does not work for the church. His job is to work with the bishop and priest to bring the word and love of God to the people.


IMPORTANT: Remember that we have a special rite called the Rite of Welcome and Acceptance on Sunday, November 18, at the 10:30 Mass. This is a very special time when the community commits their support to each person seeking the sacraments of Initiation. More will be shared on Tuesday's session.

Our Playlist

In honor of Veteran's Day, here is a song called "Letters From War" by Mark Schultz. Enjoy!

Our Lesson

What is a sacrament?

Deacon Buddy provided us with a simple, easy-to-understand definition - much better than the dictionary version: A sacrament is an outward sign of God's grace. There are seven sacraments recognized by the Catholic Church. Last week's lesson covered Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Baptism is a symbol of rebirth. You can read what Jesus had to say about being "born again" in John 3:3. Baptism for those in our class who have not yet been baptized will be at the Easter Vigil on March 22nd. Yes, you will be fully immersed three times in the font. Yes, the water is heated and you will be confirmed at the same time. It is a wonderful sacred experience and you will never forget it.

"Eucharist" means Thanksgiving. I didn't know that! Sometimes we call the Eucharist "Holy Communion." Catholics are encouraged to receive the Eucharist once a week. The Eucharist is considered the "Source and Summit" of our identity as Catholics.

Deacon Buddy told us that there used to be many more sacraments - perhaps thirty, but that the Catholic Church narrowed it down to seven many centuries ago.

What was the first sacrament? Creation!

Another? Jesus Christ.

Another? The Church.

All of these are outward and visible signs of God's grace.

After our break (and snack!) I shared my testimony of why and how I became a Catholic. (My confirmation.) First Peter 3:15 says "... Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have..."

I welcome the opportunities that I have to share my testimony. Thank you for listening.

So last week we covered Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Next week we will discuss the other four sacraments. Who can name them?