Sacraments

Baptism

Baptism is birth into a new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord’s will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism. The essential rite of Baptism consists of immersing the candidate in water or pouring water on the candidate’s head while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Families must be registered members of the parish to have a child baptized. Please call the Parish Office (812-944-0417) for information.

Eucharist

The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church’s life, for in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once for all on the cross to his father; by this sacrifice, he pours out the graces of salvation on his Body which is the Church. The essential signs of the Eucharistic sacrament are wheat bread and grape wine on which the blessing of the Holy Spirit is invoked and the priest pronounces the words of consecration spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper: “This is my body which will be given up for you…This is the cup of my blood…” Those who have been baptized in the Church participate with the whole community.

Anointing of the Sick

The sacrament of Anointing of the sick has as its purpose the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age. The celebration consists essentially in the anointing the forehead and hands of the sick person, the anointing being accompanied by the liturgical prayer of the celebrant asking for the special grace of this sacrament.

Reconciliation

The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament called the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance or reconciliation. The sacrament of Reconciliation is a whole consisting in three actions of the penitent and the priest’s absolution. The penitent’s acts are repentance, confession or disclosure of sins to the priest, and the intention to make reparation and works of reparation.

Confirmation

Confirmation perfects the Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine affiliation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds. The essential rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead of the baptized with sacred chrism together with the laying on of the minister’s hand and the words “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit”.

Classes are being held on Wednesdays at Trinity Hall.

Matrimony

The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life.

Minimum six month waiting period. Recommended that arrangements be made at least one year in advance.

Please contact Fr. Jose Neri at 812-944-0417 ext. 102 or fjneri@stmarysna.org. 

Holy Orders

Holy Orders is best described as the sacrament of apostolic ministry. Through this sacrament, the mission that Christ gave to his apostles is continued in the life of the Church. Christ is present as the head of the Church through the ministry of bishops and priests. The ministerial priesthood also acts in the name of the entire Church when it presents the Church’s prayers to God.

Contact the Parish Office: 812-944-0417

Contact Vocation Office of Priestly and Religious Vocations

Archdiocese of Indianapolis

1400 North Meridian Street

Indianapolis, IN 46224

(317) 236-1490