The Sacraments

Baptism

Baptism is celebrated every Sunday afternoon in the church after 1:00 p.m.  You may also schedule the baptism of your child at a weekend liturgy.

Parents who have not yet received pre-baptismal instruction are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation class, which is held the third Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m.  This class will clarify the roles of parents, godparents, and the various symbols that are used within the Baptismal ceremony. For more information, please contact the Parish Office at (317) 888-2861.

Adults interested in becoming a Catholic (Baptism or conversion from another faith) are invited to join the "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults" (RCIA) program. Please contact the Parish Office at (317) 888-2861 for more information.

Candidates are also invited to attend RCIA. Candidates are those already baptized. A candidate should be baptized in a faith which baptizes by the same guidelines as applied by the Catholic Church. Any questions about this should be directed to Judy Koch, Pastoral Associate.

Reconciliation

Reconciliation is offered every Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the Church or after any daily Mass in the Chapel. Reconciliation can also be received by scheduling an appointment with an individual priest.

Penance Services are celebrated seasonally. The Parish bulletin will notify parishioners in advance as to the next scheduled service.

Children are prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation as part of the second grade curriculum. For additional information, please contact the Parish Office

Links to other topics related to the sacrament of Reconciliation are list below:

• Examination of Conscience is taken from "The Rite of Penance."

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Eucharist

Guidelines for the Reception of Communion

For Catholics:

As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible. (Code of Canon Law, canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

For our fellow Christians:

We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ's prayer for us "that they may all be one" (John 17:21).

Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 3).

For those not receiving Holy Communion:

All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

For non-Christians:

We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.

Copyright © 1996, United States Catholic Conference. All rights reserved.

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Confirmation

Adult Confirmation is celebrated annually, during the Easter Vigil Mass. Candidates participate in the "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults" (RCIA) program. A candidate should already be baptized in a faith which baptizes by the same guidelines as applied by the Catholic Church. Adult Catholics who have been baptized but have not completed their religious educaiton are invited to join the "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults" (RCIA) program.

Adult Catholics who have completed their religious education but have not been confirmed are confirmed at an annual Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Please call Judy Koch for more information.

Call the parish office at (317) 888-2861 for additional information concerning registration and preparation of either of these programs.

Parish Youth, between ages 13 and 18, who desire to complete the initiation of the Catholic faith are invited to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. In Confirmation, a person confirms or takes ownership of his/her baptismal vows and is renewed by the Holy Spirit. The person commits to growing in his/her friendship with God, the community, and is strengthened as a disciple of Jesus Christ. The person becomes a full member of the Catholic Church.

The Confirmation program is administered annually at the parish level by the Youth Ministry Office. Preparation is outside of the OLG School or Sunday Morning Religious Education classroom setting. The program is based on the policies/guidelines of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

Preparation for youth includes participating in a retreat; making public commitment (Rite of Enrollment); attending large group learning sessions; meeting, studying, and praying regularly with his/her sponsor; completing assignments; performing community service; receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation; and regularly attending Sunday Mass.

Youth and families that would like more information about Confirmation, please contact the Parish Office at (317) 888-2861.

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Matrimony

Please contact one of our priests six months prior to the planned wedding date in order to begin the marriage preparation and to complete the required church paperwork.

A list of all priests is available on this website within the Parish Directory. We look forward to helping you during this time of engagement and preparation for the vocation of Christian marriage.

Contact a priest first. Then contact the parish secretary, Peggy Henninger, to schedule the wedding date. You may call her first to find out if a date is available, but a wedding will not be scheduled until you have talked to the priest.

Holy Orders

If you are interested in becoming a priest, please contact the Archdiocesan Vocations office:

Office of Priestly and Religious Vocations
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
1400 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46224
(317) 236-1490

If you are interested in becoming a deacon, please contact the Archdiocesan Deacon Formation office:

Rev. Bede Cisco, OSB, Director
Rev. Larry Voelker, Director, Spiritual Formation
Sr. Sharon Kuhn, OSB, Administrative Assistant (317) 236-1491

A Message from Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein:

By virtue of our baptism, each one of us is called to a life of service for and with Jesus our Savior.

The late Pope John Paul II spoke of God's call in this way: "The Holy Spirit of God writes in the heart and life of every baptized person a project of love and grace, which is the only way to give full meaning to existence, opening the way to freedom of the children of God and enabling the offering of one's personal and irreplaceable contribution to the progress of humanity on the path of justice and truth" (Message of the Holy Father for XXXV World Day of Prayer for Vocations).

Indeed, we all have a vocation, whether it is married life, priesthood, or religious life! But we must say "YES" to God. We must seek out his will for our lives through prayer and respond with courage. Every day, men and women are being called to consecrated service for the Church. You may be one of them! We hope this website helps you in your discernment of God's will, and we pray that you persevere in your Christian journey.

A Prayer to Make a Difference

O Lord, help me know your will for me.
Let your light shine in the depth of my
heart that I may know what you want
me to do with my life. Help me believe
that you have a special plan for me.
 
Lord, I know I pass through this life only
once; help me decide how you want me to
make a difference. Like your Blessed
Mother, give me the wisdom to hear your
voice and the courage to answer your
call. Above all give me peace of mind and
heart. I offer this prayer in your name.
 
Amen.

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Anointing of the Sick

We pray together for healing of not only ourselves, but all who need to feel the healing power of God. It is the entire church who prays with and for all who ask for the healing power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen, encourage and heal those who are suffering in any way.

This sacrament is performed once a year at a Mass service. The Parish bulletin will notify parishioners in advance as to the next scheduled service. Special arrangements to receive this sacrament can also be given to an individual at any time if the need arises. Please call the Parish Office at (317) 888-2861 for an appointment.

Who Can Be Anointed?

• Anyone who is seriously ill;
• Those who are convalescing or temporarily ill;
• Those who are chronically ill (heart, arthritis, asthma, etc.);
• Those who suffer from mental and emotional difficulties;
• Those who are 65 and older;
• Those who are preparing for surgery in the near future; and
• Sick children who have reached the age of reason.

We invite all parishioners, family members, and friends of those being anointed. This is a wonderful opportunity to share in the healing grace of God's love.

Note:  It is important to notify a priest when anointing is needed. Do not wait until the last minute. Do not rely on the hospital to contact us because of privacy laws.

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