The 7 SacramentsThe 7 Sacraments

What is a Sacrament?What is a Sacrament?

A Sacrament is a physical sign of a spiritual A Sacrament is a physical sign of a spiritual realityreality

There are 7 sacramentsThere are 7 sacraments The first 3 are known as the sacraments of The first 3 are known as the sacraments of

initiationinitiation They are baptism, confirmation, and eucharistThey are baptism, confirmation, and eucharist A catechumen is an unbaptized person who is A catechumen is an unbaptized person who is

preparing to receive all of the sacraments of preparing to receive all of the sacraments of Christian initiation (Janice)Christian initiation (Janice)

Why Baptism?Why Baptism?Because Jesus did.Because Jesus did.

BaptismBaptism

Comes from the Greek word that means Comes from the Greek word that means “to plunge” or “to immerse”“to plunge” or “to immerse”

The symbolic plunging and rising up again The symbolic plunging and rising up again from the water reminds us that a new from the water reminds us that a new Catholic enters into Christ’s death and Catholic enters into Christ’s death and then rises to a new life of gracethen rises to a new life of grace

It is the sign of joining the Christian family It is the sign of joining the Christian family (was formerly circumcision)(was formerly circumcision)

Both for men and women and childrenBoth for men and women and children

Symbols of BaptismSymbols of Baptism

Water – water represents cleansingWater – water represents cleansing Oil – in ancient world, oil was used to Oil – in ancient world, oil was used to

anoint kings and queens to show they anoint kings and queens to show they were set apartwere set apart

White garment – Purity, means putting on White garment – Purity, means putting on Christ, similar to a brideChrist, similar to a bride

Candle – Christ is the light of the world Candle – Christ is the light of the world and so should weand so should we

ConfirmationConfirmation

Happened in the early Church and in ActsHappened in the early Church and in Acts Is the completion of baptismIs the completion of baptism You are saying that this is your faith not You are saying that this is your faith not

just your parents if baptized as an infantjust your parents if baptized as an infant To be done when one has reached the To be done when one has reached the

“age of discretion”“age of discretion”

Effects of ConfirmationEffects of Confirmation

1.1. The full outpouring of the holy SpiritThe full outpouring of the holy Spirit

2.2. Binding us more closely to the Church Binding us more closely to the Church and more firmly to Christand more firmly to Christ

3.3. Increasing the gifts of the Holy Spirit in Increasing the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us, especially his strength to spread the us, especially his strength to spread the faith by word and deedfaith by word and deed

The Holy Spirit:The Holy Spirit:The One who brings LIFEThe One who brings LIFE

The Holy Spirit brings life to everything that The Holy Spirit brings life to everything that Christians do and believe and reveals their true Christians do and believe and reveals their true meaning. Without the Holy Spirit, prayer is nor meaning. Without the Holy Spirit, prayer is nor more than meditation…, the sacraments are more than meditation…, the sacraments are empty, meaningless rituals, the Bible is just empty, meaningless rituals, the Bible is just another great literary work, and the Christian life another great literary work, and the Christian life is observing a set of rules, fulfilling certain ideals is observing a set of rules, fulfilling certain ideals by one’s own effort. Only with the Spirit is it by one’s own effort. Only with the Spirit is it possible to understand what Christianity is possible to understand what Christianity is about. (Alan Shreck, 108)about. (Alan Shreck, 108)

The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit

The Church has never exclaimed that the work The Church has never exclaimed that the work of the Holy Spirit is limited exclusively to of the Holy Spirit is limited exclusively to baptism.baptism.

The Bible, especially in the book of Acts, implies The Bible, especially in the book of Acts, implies that it may be necessary to pray that a baptized that it may be necessary to pray that a baptized person receive a greater outpouring of the Holy person receive a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit.Spirit.

Confirmation is the official prayer for the Holy Confirmation is the official prayer for the Holy Spirit to empower a person to spread the gospel, Spirit to empower a person to spread the gospel, to live a fervent Christian life, and to share more to live a fervent Christian life, and to share more fully in the mission and ministry of the Church.fully in the mission and ministry of the Church.

The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit

The Catholic Church also teaches that the The Catholic Church also teaches that the Spirit of God can enter a person’s life in a Spirit of God can enter a person’s life in a new way if the person simply prays for this new way if the person simply prays for this with expectant faith.with expectant faith.

Prayer with the sistersPrayer with the sisters

The Gifts of the SpiritThe Gifts of the Spirit

Every Christian who has received the Holy Every Christian who has received the Holy Spirit has also received gifts of the Spirit.Spirit has also received gifts of the Spirit.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not given The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not given primarily for the individual’s own spiritual primarily for the individual’s own spiritual growth, but for the good of the whole body growth, but for the good of the whole body of Christ.of Christ.

They must be used in love.They must be used in love. See handout for list of gifts.See handout for list of gifts.

The Ministries of the SpiritThe Ministries of the SpiritEphesians 4:11Ephesians 4:11

Apostles – you are gifted in starting new things, Apostles – you are gifted in starting new things, entrepreneur entrepreneur

Prophets – you are gifted in speaking the truth Prophets – you are gifted in speaking the truth into the lives of peopleinto the lives of people

Evangelists – you are gifted in sharing your faith Evangelists – you are gifted in sharing your faith and values with peopleand values with people

Pastors – you are gifted in leading and Pastors – you are gifted in leading and counseling peoplecounseling people

Teachers – you are gifted in helping people Teachers – you are gifted in helping people understand faith and values and how they can understand faith and values and how they can apply them to their livesapply them to their lives

The Fruit of the SpiritThe Fruit of the Spirit But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… (Galatians 5:22)gentleness, self-control… (Galatians 5:22)

A tree is known by its fruit.A tree is known by its fruit. If you have the Spirit of Christ then you will be If you have the Spirit of Christ then you will be

showing or growing in the above things in your showing or growing in the above things in your life. Is this true for you?life. Is this true for you?

If not you may need to ask for a fresh outpouring If not you may need to ask for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spiritof the Holy Spirit

We may have an opportunity to do this this We may have an opportunity to do this this week.week.

EucharistEucharist

Read John 6Read John 6 It unites the new Catholic to Christ’s It unites the new Catholic to Christ’s

sacrifice on the crosssacrifice on the cross Transubstantiation – the transfer of the Transubstantiation – the transfer of the

substance of bread and wine at Mass to substance of bread and wine at Mass to the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Graces in EucharistGraces in Eucharist

Spiritual life and nourishmentSpiritual life and nourishment Cleansing from sin and empowerment to Cleansing from sin and empowerment to

overcomeovercome Greater commitment to the poorGreater commitment to the poor Increase in virtueIncrease in virtue Spiritual energy for our pilgrimageSpiritual energy for our pilgrimage LOTR LOTR

Mass: The Bible & EucharistMass: The Bible & EucharistBoth represent God’s food to usBoth represent God’s food to us

The BibleThe Bible 3 readings3 readings Highlight is the GospelHighlight is the Gospel Sermon from the PriestSermon from the Priest Try to understand and Try to understand and

apply one thingapply one thing God’s Word is alive!God’s Word is alive! Ps. 51 storyPs. 51 story

The EucharistThe Eucharist Bread and wine turn into Bread and wine turn into

Christ’s Body & Blood. Christ’s Body & Blood. This is called This is called transubsantiation.transubsantiation.

It means the It means the transformation of transformation of substance but not of substance but not of appearance.appearance.

Jesus feeds our hungry Jesus feeds our hungry heartheart

Quebec and Dinos storyQuebec and Dinos story

Last commentsLast comments

Friends who said they have gone to Friends who said they have gone to churchchurch

But church is boring?But church is boring? Many things we do in our lives can be Many things we do in our lives can be

boring yet still essential— like breakfast.boring yet still essential— like breakfast. Personal story—becoming one with Jesus Personal story—becoming one with Jesus

in the Eucharistin the Eucharist Food as strength for my soulFood as strength for my soul

Sacrament of Penance or Sacrament of Penance or ReconciliationReconciliation

We discussed this when talking about the We discussed this when talking about the forgiveness of sins in the creed.forgiveness of sins in the creed.

It is a sacrament of healing through which It is a sacrament of healing through which Christ extends his forgiveness to sinners, Christ extends his forgiveness to sinners, bringing about reconciliation with God and bringing about reconciliation with God and the Church.the Church.

James 5 speaks of healing coming James 5 speaks of healing coming through confessionthrough confession

Involves:Involves:

Contrition – feeling sorry for your sinsContrition – feeling sorry for your sins Confession – admitting our faultsConfession – admitting our faults Absolution – the priest forgives us in the Absolution – the priest forgives us in the

name of Christ Jesusname of Christ Jesus Satisfaction – or penance, something to Satisfaction – or penance, something to

make repair for the harms our sins have make repair for the harms our sins have caused (i.e. breaking window with a ball)caused (i.e. breaking window with a ball)

Forgiveness…Forgiveness…

Forgiveness painting by RembrantForgiveness painting by RembrantQuestions:Questions:

What is your first impression of this What is your first impression of this painting?painting?

What is it saying to you?What is it saying to you? How can you respond to its message?How can you respond to its message?

Anointing of the SickAnointing of the Sick

Sacrament offered to those who are Sacrament offered to those who are suffering from serious illness, for the suffering from serious illness, for the elderly, for those facing major surgery, and elderly, for those facing major surgery, and for the dying.for the dying.

Primarily lead by priests or bishops.Primarily lead by priests or bishops. They anoint the persons body and pray for They anoint the persons body and pray for

them.them. Praying for my mom when she was sickPraying for my mom when she was sick Praying for my Nana and my PapaPraying for my Nana and my Papa

Holy OrdersHoly Orders All of us are called to serve others as part of a All of us are called to serve others as part of a

common priesthood, but the Church also has common priesthood, but the Church also has those who minister to us:those who minister to us:

Deacons – helpers to priestsDeacons – helpers to priests Priests – servants to God’s people, celebrate the Priests – servants to God’s people, celebrate the

EucharistEucharist Bishops – servants to God’s people and the Bishops – servants to God’s people and the

priests in their areapriests in their area Religious nuns and brothers – servants to all of Religious nuns and brothers – servants to all of

God’s people. Join orders and take 3 vows:God’s people. Join orders and take 3 vows: Poverty, chastity, and obediencePoverty, chastity, and obedience

Women & CelibacyWomen & Celibacy WomenWomen The Catholic Church The Catholic Church

doesn’t ordain women doesn’t ordain women because Jesus didn’t and because Jesus didn’t and because the priest is sign because the priest is sign or in the place of Christ or in the place of Christ who was male.who was male.

Women can become Women can become nuns and serve like Sister nuns and serve like Sister Clem and VickiClem and Vicki

Spiritual significance?Spiritual significance? Female Messiah?Female Messiah?

CelibacyCelibacy Celibacy is the state of Celibacy is the state of

being unmarried that being unmarried that priests and other religious priests and other religious choose in order to choose in order to dedicate their lives totally dedicate their lives totally to Jesus and God’s to Jesus and God’s peoplepeople

In the Latin rite of the In the Latin rite of the Church priest cannot Church priest cannot marrymarry

This may change one day This may change one day as it is only a doctrine of as it is only a doctrine of the churchthe church

MatrimonyMatrimony

A wonderful sign of God calling a man A wonderful sign of God calling a man and woman to holiness through ordinary and woman to holiness through ordinary married life.married life.

God is the source of marriage. God is the source of marriage. Marriage is meant to be a covenant.Marriage is meant to be a covenant. The Church teaches that there are two The Church teaches that there are two

primary purposes of marriage:primary purposes of marriage:1.1. Procreative – be fruitful and multiplyProcreative – be fruitful and multiply2.2. Unitive – become one bodyUnitive – become one body

Till Death Do Us Part…Till Death Do Us Part…

The Catholic Church does not permit the The Catholic Church does not permit the divorce of a valid marriagedivorce of a valid marriage

Annulments can be given. An annulment is Annulments can be given. An annulment is an official Church declaration that what an official Church declaration that what appeared to be a Christian marriage never appeared to be a Christian marriage never existed in the first place.existed in the first place.

Marriage should be taken seriouslyMarriage should be taken seriously ““The family that prays together stays The family that prays together stays

together.”together.”