A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. The Catholic Church officially recognizes seven sacraments; most practicing Catholics will receive most of these sacraments throughout their lives. The sacraments fall into three basic groupings:
- Sacraments of Christian Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation
- Sacraments of Healing – Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick
- Sacraments of Service – Matrimony, Holy Orders
Baptism
Baptism is the sacrament by which a person is cleansed of original sin and made a member of God’s family, the Church. This is done with holy water and in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Rite of Baptism also includes anointing with the oil of the catechumens as well as chrism oil. Most often, a priest or deacon will perform the baptism, but in extreme or urgent circumstances, other members of the Church can be permitted to administer the sacrament.
Contact the cluster parishes office at 812-649-4811 for more information and to schedule infant or child baptisms. Adult baptisms require preparation through our OCIA program.
Confirmation
Confirmation means “to strengthen.” Christians who have been baptized and instructed, or catechized, in the faith now receive this sacrament to strengthen that faith and equip them for service in the Church and the world. Children who grow up in the Church typically receive the Sacrament of Confirmation as an early teen after years of religious education, or catechesis, which instructs them in the doctrines and practices of the faith. For those who convert to Catholicism as adults, they are usually confirmed at the same time they are baptized. For baptized Christians who convert to Catholicism, they will receive confirmation when they are formally received into the Church through our OCIA program.
Youth Confirmation is a two year program which normally begins in the Freshman year of high school. We do, however, have teenagers who start and finish Confirmation as Juniors and Seniors. Those to be Confirmed meet monthly between September and April and take part in a Confirmation Retreat shortly before receiving the Sacrament. Contact the cluster parishes office at 812-649-4811 if you have a student you would like to enroll as a Confirmation Candidate, or if you are interested in helping with this program.
Eucharist
The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of the Christian life; for Catholics, it’s our daily bread, the supernatural “manna” that sustains us on our spiritual journey toward heaven. Catholics receive the Eucharist for the first time at their First Holy Communion, which for Catholics raised in the Church usually happens at around age seven or eight. This is after First Communicants receive their first Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Confession—more on that below!). Adult converts to the faith will receive their First Communion when they are formally received into the Church, which is usually when they are also confirmed.
Catholics can receive the Eucharist during Holy Communion at Mass as often as every day. The only conditions are that they observe a one-hour Eucharistic fast (except for water and medicine) before receiving Communion and that they are not aware of any mortal sin on their conscience. If they are aware of serious sin, they just need to go to confession before receiving Communion again.
For youth First Communion, several meetings are held for parents whose children are preparing for the celebration of First Communion and First Reconciliation. First Reconciliation is celebrated in the Fall and First Communion in the Spring. Contact the cluster parishes office at 812-649-4811 for more information.
The Homebound Ministry delivers Communion to those who are unable to attend Sunday Mass. If you or anyone you know is in need of this ministry, please call the cluster parish office at 812-649-4811, or Deacon Mike Waninger at 812-660-0909.
Reconciliation (Confession)
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, more commonly known as Confession, is the sacrament by which Catholics confess their sins and receive absolution from a priest. It’s not the priest himself who forgives sins, but God administering his grace sacramentally through the priest. And it’s this grace that strengthens penitent Catholics to remain in a state of grace—free from mortal sin and in friendship with God.
If a Catholic commits a mortal sin—a sin that is serious, that they were fully aware of, and that they freely chose—they need to go to confession and repent of that sin to be restored to a state of grace (which includes being able to receive Holy Communion). While not required, it’s also strongly recommended that Catholics confess venial sins (non-mortal sins), because making use of the grace of the sacrament strengthens Catholics to resist temptation to sin, whether venial or mortal.
Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is commonly associated with the Last Rites, but this sacrament is not limited to the end of one’s life. Anyone who is seriously ill can receive the Anointing of the Sick as a way of receiving strength to face their suffering with courage and hope, even if God doesn’t heal them physically. When administering this sacrament, a priest anoints the sick person’s forehead and hands with the Oil of the Sick and blesses them. If this sacrament is part of the Last Rites, Confession and Holy Communion will also be offered (if the dying person is able).
This sacrament is celebrated during Mass several times each year. Parishioners may request Anointing of the Sick for themselves or a loved one. If a member of your family is admitted to a hospital or nursing home, and you wish to request an anointing for them, please call the cluster parishes office at 812-649-4811.
Matrimony (Marriage)
In the Sacrament of Matrimony (Marriage), a man and a woman witness to Christ’s love for his Bride, the Church, through the covenant they make to each other. Their marriage commitment is also a reflection of the Holy Trinity, who is a community of persons bound in love. Because marriage is a sacrament, it becomes a tangible means of grace for husbands and wives that strengthens them to love, serve, and support one another throughout their lives in their vocations as lay people. It also gives them grace to extend that love to any children that God gives them as well as their broader community and society as a whole.
Marriage is so important to the life of the church and to the welfare of society that the Catholic Church supports those who are engaged. Married couples, trained to share their experiences with engaged couples, assist them as they begin their new life together. Engaged couples are asked to notify the pastor no later than 6 months prior to their wedding so that the necessary preparation can begin. Please call the cluster parishes office at 812-649-4811 for more information and to schedule an appointment.
Holy Orders
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, making it the sacrament of apostolic ministry and includes three degrees: bishop, priest, and deacon.
- Episcopate (Bishops): Bishops are the leaders of the Church, responsible for the pastoral care of their diocese and the overall leadership of the Church.
- Presbyterate (Priests): Priests are ordained to preach the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments, and lead the faithful.
- Diaconate (Deacons): Deacons are ordained to serve the people of God, often in ministry, charity, and the liturgy. The permanent diaconate is open to married and single men who are at least 32 years old and are ordained for life, as opposed to transitional deacons who become priests.
For more information about the priesthood, religious life, or the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Evansville, you can contact the Diocese of Evansville Office of Vocations at 812-424-5536 or visit their website at evansvillevocations.org.