What is a Sacrament?
A Sacrament is an outward sign of inward grace, ordained
by Jesus Christ, by which grace is given to our souls. A sacrament makes
visible the mystery of God's love for us. In Jesus Christ, God has reconciled
the world. The Father has spoken His Word in the visible form of Jesus.
The incarnation of Jesus Christ is the primary sacrament of our salvation.
His death on the cross made visible for all people the love that God
has for us. The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments. We believe
that the Lord has left the Christian community with these seven signs
of love to touch us during the key moments of our lives and to empower
us to be a priestly community.
When we begin life, Baptism unites us
with the risen Lord and all our fellow Christians. As we mature and
more fully begin to accept and live the Christian life, Confirmation
showers us with the strength of the Holy Spirit to live faithfully for
the Lord. These two sacraments of initiation form Christians into a
priestly people who can celebrate the liturgy. The Eucharist,
the summit of Christian worship, is a sacred meal that commemorates
and reenacts the Lord's sacrifice on the cross for our salvation. It
nourishes our faith and both signify and bring about our union with
God.
When we are guilty of sin and in need of reconciliation and forgiveness,
we experience the Lord's forgiving love in the sacrament of Penance
or Reconciliation. And in times of serious
illness, the Anointing of the Sick gives us
God's mercy, forgiveness, courage, and hope.
Jesus is with us as we live out our life's vocation. Those who are called
to serve God's people as deacons, priests, or bishops are supported
through the sacrament of Holy Orders. This
sacrament creates the ordained ministry which serves the priesthood
of the baptized. This ministerial priesthood is the sacramental bond
linking the liturgical actions of today with those of the apostles,
and ultimately to our Lord Jesus, the source and foundation of all the
sacraments.
The sacrament Matrimony of
is an ongoing sign of God's love as it appears in the union of
a couple who are committed to loving each other until death. Their union
and their fidelity are signs of the Lord's union with us and His faithfulness
to His church.
Baptism
Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power 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" . . . . . Matthew 28: 18-19
Baptism is a sacrament which cleanses us from Original Sin, makes us Christians,
children of God, members of the Church and heirs of Heaven. Baptism also
forgives actual sins, and all punishment due to them, when it is received
in the proper disposition by those who have been guilty of actual sin.
The principal symbols of baptism are the following: Water.
Besides cleansing, water symbolizes destruction and death. Baptismal water
means the death of an old life to sin. Water also means life because without
it, we would die. Oil. The anointing with oil in baptism reminds us that
the Lord extends salvation to us and sends His Spirit to protect and strengthen
us. White Garment and Candle. Wearing a white cloth is a symbol of purity,
festivity, and a new identity signifying a willingness on behalf of the
baptized to live a new life in union with the Lord. The Candle, lit from
the Easter candle, signifies how Christ has enlightened Christians, making
them the light of the world.
The ordinary minister of Baptism is a priest, but anyone may
baptize in case of necessity, when a priest cannot come. Baptism is given
by pouring water on the head of the person to be baptized, saying at the
same time these words: "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
About Baptism at St. Peter Church
For infants and younger children
Our clergy are eager and happy to baptize children whose parent(s) are practicing
the Catholic faith. Parish registration and regular Mass attendance are
reasonable expectations. Non-parishioners should provide a letter of permission
from their parish if they wish to have their child baptized at St. Peter.
Classes are held the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Muldoon
Room. Arrangements can be made by calling the Parish Center (630) 232-0124.
Godparents play an important role in the life the child. The faith of a
child or a new believer needs to be nurtured and developed by the believing
community. Along with the parents, the Godparents will help the baptized
person's faith, grow and flourish. To take on this responsibility, Godparents
should be confirmed, practicing Catholics over the age of 16. It is best
to have two Godparents.
The Guild
of the Holy Spirit (part of the St. Peter Church Women's Club) acts
as host and helper at the baptism and provides a white baptismal garment.
Parishioners provide this loving service to assist the parents, and the
priests in making sure all the details at church are attended to.
For older children and adults
Older children and adults who have not been baptized are guided and supported
through a process called Rite
of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). This process helps them learn
about the Catholic faith and traditions. Call (630) 232-0124 for further
information or to schedule a baptism.
Reconciliation
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathe on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained" . . . . . John 20: 21-23
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a wonderful opportunity
for Catholics to be touched by Jesus Christ's healing presence and to be
freed of their sins. There are many names used for this sacrament: conversion,
penance, confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
It is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes
sacramentally present Jesus' call to repent. It calls Catholics to know
of God's infinite mercy and walk the path of renewal. It is the sacrament
of penance to stress that a life of conversion involves doing penance for
sins we have committed. It is called confession because an important part
of the sacrament is to disclose our sins to the priest. It is called forgiveness
because God gives us pardon for our sins through the priest's absolution
thereby providing us peace. It is called reconciliation because God's love
enables us to become at peace with those we have harmed through our sins.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation effects the forgiveness of
sins and thus makes us in harmony with God and the church. It provides peace
of conscience and spiritual comfort and strengthens us to live the Christian
life. It also takes away some of the temporal punishment due to sin and
totally remits the eternal punishment resulting from mortal sin.
About Reconciliation at St. Peter
Church
The schedule for the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation can be found in this link.
Reconciliation for Children
Reconciliation is usually received for the first time late
in the school year during 2nd grade. Children attending St. Peter School
and the St. Peter Religious Education Program go through a special time
of preparation for the sacrament. Call (630) 232-0124 X118 or browse the
website for more information.
Reconciliation for Adults and Older Children
Adults and older children who have been baptized, but have not received the sacrament of Reconciliation are generally prepared for the Sacrament during Lent and is received for the first time during the Easter Vigil or sometime during the Easter season. This preparation is called Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and it is designed to bring adults and older children fully into the Catholic faith, including receiving of sacraments.
Eucharist
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to His disciples said, "Take and eat; this is My body." Then He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is My blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins." . . . . . Matthew 26: 26-28
The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is
the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, together with His Soul and Divinity,
under the appearances of bread and wine. Reception of the Eucharist completes
our initiation as full members of Christ's body and is received during the
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In the Eucharist, we express gratitude for God's
many gifts and graces.
Holy Communion actually pours charity into the soul when it
is received with attention and devotion. Moreover, this holy Sacrament forgives
"lesser faults," repairing the life of the soul in much the same
way as natural food restores and repairs the daily waste of bodily life.
Holy Communion also remits the temporal punishment due to sin, in virtue
of the fact that it excites charity within the soul. Lastly, Holy Communion
is a pledge of future glory and confers a title to a glorious resurrection.
In order to receive the Holy Eucharist worthily, in addition
to being baptized and in the state of grace, we must also under pain of
grave sin, keep the natural fast. The natural fast means that for one hour
before the time of receiving Holy Communion we may take nothing by way of
food, drink or alcoholic beverage. Water and medicine may be taken, even
right up to the time of receiving Holy Communion.
About Holy Eucharist at St. Peter
Church
Holy Eucharist for Children
Holy Eucharist is usually received for the first time late
in the school year during 2nd grade after celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Children attending St. Peter School and the St. Peter Religious Education
Program go through a special time of preparation for the sacrament. Call
(630) 232-0124 X118 or browse the website
for more information.
Holy Eucharist for Adults and Older Children
Adults and older children who have been baptized, but have not received the sacrament of Holy Eucharist are generally prepared for the Sacrament during Lent and receive them for the first time during the Easter Vigil service or sometime later in the Easter season. This preparation is called Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and it is designed to bring adults and older children fully into the Catholic faith, including receiving of sacraments.
Confirmation
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit . . . . . Acts 8: 14-17
Confirmation is a Sacrament by which we receive the Holy Spirit,
in order to make us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus
Christ. The ordinary minister of Confirmation is a bishop. The bishop administers
the sacrament of Confirmation by praying that the Holy Spirit may come down
upon those who are to be confirmed, while laying his hands on them and making
the Sign of the Cross with chrism (oil made of oil of olives and balsam
and is blessed by the bishop on Holy Thursday) on their foreheads, saying
at the same time: "I sign thee with the Sign of the Cross, and I confirm
thee with the chrism of salvation; in the Name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." Confirmation can be administered
to all baptized persons and only to them.
By Confirmation, one receives in a special way the Holy Spirit,
which is the Light, the Love and the Strength of God, guiding our path through
life, inflaming our hearts and enabling us to overcome all difficulties.
He makes us soldiers in Christ's army, ever fighting against the world,
the flesh and the devil, and ever ready to profess our Faith, to suffer
for it, to persevere in it no matter at what cost, and to radiate it.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are imparted in their fullness
in Confirmation. They are: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge,
Piety and the Fear of the Lord. These seven gifts are necessary for salvation.
They enable us to act correctly in a superhuman way, in order to bring our
actions into line with God's own standards of conduct. They enable us to
live our human lives as God would live a human life.
The Fruits of the Virtues and Gifts infused into our souls
by the Holy Spirit are: Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness,
Forbearance, Mildness, Faith, Modesty, Sacrifice, and Chastity.
About Confirmation at St. Peter
Church
For Teens
Confirmation for our teens is held annually and is generally
performed by the Bishop of Rockford. Confirmation is usually bestowed during
the teen years. The teens are prepared over a 2-year period. During this
time they work to deepen their knowledge of God, the Catholic faith and
their own spirituality. The teens go through a program to prepare for receiving
the sacrament. Call (630) 232-0124 X113 to inquire or browse the website
for more information.
For Adults
Adults who have not been baptized receive the sacrament of Confirmation at the same time they are baptized. This generally occurs at the Easter Vigil services. Adults who have been baptized, but have not received one or more of the other Sacraments (including Confirmation), are generally prepared for the Sacraments during Lent and receive them for the first time during the Easter Vigil service or sometime later in the Easter season. The adults go through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process to bring themselves fully into the Catholic faith, including receiving of sacraments.
Matrimony
The Lord God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him." So the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The Lord God then built up into a woman the rib that He had taken from a man. When he brought her to the man, the man said: "This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called woman, for out of 'her man' this one has been taken." That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body. . . . . Genesis 2: 18, 21-24
Matrimony is the sacrament that sanctifies the contract of
a Christian marriage and gives a special grace to those who receive it worthily.
This union is marked by love, respect, care and concern, and a commitment
to share responsibility in the raising of a family if God should bless the
couple with children. A good marriage is a holy covenant involving three
persons whereby the couple is joined on their life's journey by Jesus Christ
who promises to bless, sustain, and rejoice in their union.
The sacrament of marriage is not just a one-day affair. It
blossoms over the years as the husband and wife live out their mutual relationship
with each other and the Lord. Through their daily love and faithfulness,
they will meet the Lord who lives within them by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The celebration of Christian marriage is "till death do us part."
About Matrimony at St. Peter
Church
Weddings
Couples hoping to be married at St. Peter Church should contact the Pastor
soon after their engagement. The bride and/or groom or their parents must
be registered at St. Peter for a period of no less than six months. Regular
participation in weekend Masses is considered indicative of a couple's strong
Catholic faith as well as good intention to live a sacramental union in
Christ.
The marriage preparation process, as prescribed by Canon
Law, involves the couple meeting with the priest or deacon in order
to consider the issues that will affect the marriage relationship. Meetings
are scheduled to address legal, emotional and spiritual aspects of the sacrament.
Preparation includes an Engaged
Encounter weekend at the
Bishop Lane Retreat Center in Rockford. Please contact one of our Parish
Priests (630) 232-0124 to arrange an appointment.
Marriage ceremonies are always performed in the church on
Fridays or Saturdays, but weekday weddings may on occasion be arranged.
There are special guidelines for the ceremony, music, photography, etc.
to ensure we pay the proper respect for the house of God and His special
presence in our church. As a general rule, use of our church is reserved
for our parishioners. This is due to the many parish ministries using our
facilities, the busy schedule of Priests, the need to schedule staff, musicians,
custodians, etc.
The banns or announcements of marriage are usually printed
in the parish bulletin for three consecutive weeks before the wedding ceremony.
The reason for the publication of the banns is to notify the Christian community
of the impending celebration and to give informed parties the opportunity
to come forward if they know any reason the sacrament of marriage should
not take place.
The Cana
Guild (part of St. Peter Women's Club) supports the couple when the
bride and groom arrive at church on their wedding day. This loving ministry
works to make sure that all the details while at church are attended to.
Blessing of Marriages Not Recognized by the Catholic Church
Our Catholic teaching holds that marriage is a Sacrament and
must be witnessed by a Catholic priest. If you were not married before a
Catholic Priest, we invite you to call and talk to one of our Priests to
learn how your marriage can be blessed and recognized by the Church. We
warmly welcome these inquiries.
Special Blessings for 30, 40, 50, 60, 75 Year Marriages
Parishioners who are celebrating their 30, 40, 50, 60 or 75
year wedding anniversary are a special blessing and model to the community.
Our priests will give the couple a special blessing and the church community
honors them during one of our weekend Masses. Call (630) 232-0124 to talk
with one of our priests if you would like to have this special blessing.
Diocesan Engagement and Marriage
Support
For Engaged Couples
Catholic Engaged Encounter is a weekend experience for couples planning
to get married. It helps couples examine areas of their relationship that
may not have been looked at, simply because they never came up. It is far
better to share important thoughts and expectations before getting married,
rather than waiting to discover serious disagreements in vital areas after
the wedding. For more information, contact the Rockford Family Life Office
at (815) 965-5011 or the Engaged Encounter
website.
For Average to Very Strong Marriages
World
Wide Marriage Encounter. This weekend retreat offers married couples
a chance to deepen their sacramental relationship with each other and with
God as they learn how to improve their communication with each other. Held
at the Bishop Lane Retreat Center in Rockford, the weekend consists of a
series of presentations followed by reflection time where couples share
privately between themselves about the topic presented. Contact the Rockford
Family Life Office at (815) 965-5011. Rockford Diocesan Contacts: Bob and
Merlene Bundy at (815) 759-0619. Parishioners, Bruce and Rosemary Zaccanti,
are also happy to discuss Marriage Encounter with you. They can be contacted
at (630) 208-7530.
For Troubled Marriages
Retrouvaille
- the word simply means - Rediscovery. The program offers the chance to
rediscover yourself, your spouse, and a loving relationship in your marriage.
Tens of thousands headed for divorce have successfully saved their marriages
by attending. Retrouvaille is a not spiritual retreat, not a sensitivity
group, not a seminar, not a social gathering. Many judges, lawyers, and
counselors send couples to Retrouvaille prior to rendering final decisions,
as a prerequisite to filing for divorce and as a prerequisite to counseling.
They have learned that the tools of communication taught in the Retrouvaille
program are what the couples needed more than divorce, legal advice, or
counseling. For more information, contact the Rockford Family Life Office
at (815) 965-5011 or the Retrouvaille website.
Ministry to Divorced/Remarried
The Church extends a healing and reconciling ministry to those who have
been divorced and remarried, that may include an annulment process to allow
for sacramental remarriage in the Church. Significant changes in Canon Law
in the past ten years have made annulments possible for a great variety
of reasons. Contact one of our priests at (630) 232-0124, for further information.
Holy Orders
They appointed presbyters for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith. . . . . Acts 14:23
It is through the Sacrament of Holy Orders that Jesus Christ
continues the ministry He entrusted to the apostles. Through the service
of ordained ministers, Christ Himself becomes visibly present to the church
as its head and high priest of His redemptive sacrifice. By means of ordination
the Lord consecrates certain men to one of three degrees of a sacred order:
episcopacy (bishops), presbyterate (priests), and diaconate (deacons). The
sacrament bestows a gift of the Holy Spirit that allows those ordained to
exercise a "sacred power" on behalf of Christ for His church.
A bishop receives the fullness of the sacrament. Each bishop
is in charge of a local church (diocese) and is its visible head. In addition,
with the college of bishops, he bears responsibility for the care and service
of the universal church under the authority of the pope.
Priests are like coworkers with the bishops, their helpers
and extensions in preaching the gospel, pasturing God's people, and leading
the community in worship. Priests represent their bishops to the local community
and are bound to them in an intimate sacramental fellowship.
A deacon is ordained to service, not to the priesthood. Deacons
assist bishops and priests at liturgies, by distributing Holy Communion
at Mass and to the sick, by proclaiming and preaching the gospel, by blessing
marriages and presiding at funerals, and by engaging in a variety of other
services for the Body of Christ.
To become a priest, a man has to study for about 6 years in
a special school called a seminary and be approved by his bishop as to his
learning, health, morals, and character. A priest becomes a bishop by the
action of the Pope when he chooses a priest who is known for his learning
and holiness and appoints other bishops to consecrate him a bishop by imposing
hands and saying the proper words.
Those interested in becoming priests, religious brothers or
nuns should contact the parish office at (630) 232-0124 or the Rockford
Diocese Office of Vocations at (815) 399-4300 X396. More information is
available through the Diocese's website.
For information concerning the permanent diaconate, contact the parish office at (630)232-0124 or the Rockford Diocese Office for the Permanent Diaconate at 815-399-4300. More information is available through the Diocese's website.
Anointing of the Sick
"Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord." . . . . . James 5: 14
This sacrament is the anointing of the sick with oil of olives,
specially blessed by the bishop, accompanied by prayer. During the Middle
Ages the sacramental action of anointing was reserved for those who are
dying and thus the name of for the sacrament became extreme unction, i.e.,
the "last anointing" before death.
Through the centuries the liturgy always begged God to heal the sick and
dying person, if this would be conducive to one's salvation. The liturgical
reforms of the Second Vatican Council stress the ancient practice of this
sacrament as the anointing of the sick. The sacrament is for those suffering
from serious illness, for the elderly, for those facing major surgery, as
well as for the dying. The sick person may repeat the sacrament if, after
recovery, one falls ill again or if the original condition worsens.
About
Anointing of the Sick at St. Peter Church
When parishioners are seriously ill, or must undergo a serious medical procedure, they or their loved one can request this Sacrament. Depending on the nature of the sickness, the priest can go to the hospital, the home, or in some cases, the parishioner may want to come to the church to receive this Sacrament. Call (630)232-0124 to talk with one of our priests.