Sacraments
Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are sacraments of Christian initiation. They ground the common vocation of all Christ's disciples, a vocation to holiness and to the mission of evangelizing the world. They confer the graces needed for the life according to the Spirit during this life as pilgrims on the march towards the homeland.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1533)
Baptism
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
Matthew 28:18-20
We joyfully celebrate the birth of a child and the call to be reborn in baptism. Jesus himself commanded his apostles, as he ascended into heaven, to baptize all peoples, and to teach them all that he had taught. Therefore, every person is called to be baptized! However, in choosing to have your child baptized you are also choosing the responsibility to teach them all that Jesus has taught us, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:20
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
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: ‘Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word CCC #1213.
Confirmation
"Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."
Acts 8:14-17
The sacrament of Confirmation configures the confirmed more deeply to Christ by sealing them in the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is the gift of God's own life freely given in and through the Holy Spirit that, along with baptism and the Eucharist, initiates the confirmed into the Body of Christ, the Church.. .Confirmation completes, strengthens, and perfects the grace received in baptism.
The sacrament of Confirmation is offered in the Sioux Falls Diocese to Catholics who have received Baptism, First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion - normally in the 10th grade year.
CONFIRMATION FOR THOSE OLDER THAN 10TH GRADE
Preparation for the sacrament of the Confirmation is offered to adults and older teens through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program (RCIA). See below for more information under the "Want to become a Catholic" tab.
Eucharist
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, accoridng to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1324)..The Eucharist is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and "is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1325)
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION FOR 2ND GRADERS
Traditional First Eucharist preparation is in the 2nd grade after having receieved their first reconciliation. Before receiving there First Eucharist second graders should be formed for a period of time in order to prepare for their reception of the sacrament. This is done by the parents at home with resources provided by the parish.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION FOR THOSE OLDER THAN 2ND GRADE
Preparation for the sacrament of the Eucharist is offered to adults, teens and older children through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program (RCIA). See below for more information under the "Want to become a Catholic" tab.
want to Become A Catholic?
If you’re curious about the Catholic church, want to learn more about it or are even ready to convert, what is your next step? Call or email Ellen at the parish office to learn more about our RCIA program. 605-338-4728 or ebauman@sfcatholic.org
RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and it is the formal program that allows individuals to become members of the Catholic church. The RCIA program at St Lambert starts in the fall, so this is a great time to begin considering joining the program before they start up again in the fall.
Sacraments of Healing
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 1421)
Reconciliation
"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week," Jesus showed himself to his apostles. "He breathed on them, and said to them: 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained"
John 20:19, 22-23
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament called the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation. CCC #1486
The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered to Catholics who are at or above the ‘age of reason,’ usually second grade, or older. Our traditional children’s formation for this sacrament is in 2nd grade. Before receiving their First Reconciliation second graders should be formed for a period of time in order to prepare for their reception of the sacrament. This is done by the parents at home with resources provided by the parish.
Anointing of the Sick
"Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven".
James 5:14-15
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
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. CCC #1527
Sacrament of Anointing
If a member of your family is seriously ill or dying, please contact our parish office (763-2028) so that a priest can visit him or her, administer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and provide spiritual support and guidance during the time of illness.
Funerals
When a family member dies, please call the parish office (763-2028). We will work with you and the funeral home to arrange the wake, funeral and burial.
Sacraments of Service
Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1534)
Matrimony
"The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament."
Can. 1055, CCC #1601
If you are planning to be married at one of the Tri-parish churches, you will need to contact our office, (763-2028) at least six months prior to the wedding date. A priest will help you focus on the Sacrament and the grace you will receive by discussing the Church's theology of marriage.
Holy Orders
Through these sacraments, those already consecrated by Baptism and Confirmation for the common priesthood of all the faithful can receive particular consecrations. Those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders are consecrated in Christ's name "to feed the Church by the word and grace of God".
CCC #1535
If you have questions or would like help discerning a call to the priesthood or religious life, please contact Father David or by visiting http://www.sfvocations.org/