Sacraments of Initiation

"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.  Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1213).  For more information about having your child baptized, the requirements of this sacrament, and choosing godparents, For more information contact our Receptionist at receptionist@iccnlr.org 

"The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation.  Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.  'At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood.  This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1322-1323). 
Our children generally make their First Communion in the 2nd grade.  Our Diocese requires that a young adult be involved in religious education in the parish for one year prior to participating in the year of preparation for the sacrament.  For more information about this Sacrament, For more information contact our Director of Faith Formation at .rciacoordinator@iccnlr.org

"Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the 'sacraments of Christian initiation,' whose unity must be safeguarded.  It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.  For 'by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.  Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed'" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1285). 

At Immaculate Conception, our young adults generally receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the 8th grade.  Our Diocese requires that a young adult be involved in religious education in the parish for one year prior to participating in the year of preparation for the sacrament.  If a child who is 7-years-old or order is Baptized, they also receive the other Sacraments of Initiation, Confirmation and Eucharist, at the same time.  If an adult Catholic still needs to be Confirmed, he or she is usually prepared by attending R.C.I.A.  For more information about this Sacrament,  For more information contact our Director of Faith Formation at .christieann78@gmail.com 

"Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man receives the new life of Christ.  Now we carry this life 'in earthen vessels,' and it remains 'hidden with Christ in God.'  We are still in our 'earthly tent,' subject to suffering, illness, and death.  This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost by sin.  The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members.  This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1420-1421).   

Our children generally make their First Reconciliation in the 2nd grade, prior to their First Communion.  Our Diocese requires that a young adult be involved in religious education in the parish for one year prior to participating in the year of preparation for the sacrament.  Catholic adults, who desire to use the Sacrament of Reconciliation as part of their spiritual journey, are encouraged to go to confession about once a month. We have weekly confessions here at IC on Thursday at 6pm & Saturday at 6pm.  An appointment can also be made with a priest to celebrate this sacrament.

"By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them.  And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1499).

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is not restricted to only those who are dying, but it is for anyone who is seriously ill or who is preparing for surgery.  Please contact a priest in advance and schedule an appointment to receive the Anointing of the Sick.  

"Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1536).

For more information about the priesthood or for help discerning a religious vocation, please visit our Diocesan website.