"The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify men, to build up the Body of Christ and, finally, to give worship to God. Because they are signs they also instruct. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and objects they also nourish, strengthen, and express it."

The birth of a child for a family is a cause for great celebration. It is a time of joy and nervous anticipation as we welcome this new life into our families and plan for the future together with our new born. The addition of a new family member forever changes the family as we come to understand the gifts and talents this newest member brings to our family.

The Church in her wisdom recognizes the value of the individual from the moment of conception to the moment of death. It rejoices in the life of all individuals understanding how each person's gifts and talents build the Body of Christ and create the community we recognize as Church.

When we come together as the community of God to worship, we celebrate the unique gifts and talents that we contribute to our families and the larger Church community. When we gather at the Table of the Lord every Sunday, we come as individuals that together become the Body of Christ. We are members of the Body of Christ with Jesus as our head. The Eucharist is where we best realize the fact of being one body in Christ Jesus. Baptism is our invitation to participate at the table, our first step to complete participation in the life of the Church. The sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist therefore are linked and define us as Catholic Christians; they initiate us into the mystery of the Church.

This relationship calls us to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism with the utmost importance never relegating it to an after thought or an event to be achieved. When Baptism and Eucharist are celebrated together we are reminded of their intrinsic relationship and we come to an understanding of the deeper meaning of both sacraments.

For this reason the Parish of Saint Mary's will begin the practice of conducting all Baptism ceremonies within our celebration of Sunday Masses. This practice will take place beginning with baptisms celebrated on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 12, 2003. We ask for your prayers and patience as we undertake this major step in enhancing our celebration of Baptism and building the parish.

Parents should register for the Baptism Preparation Program at the rectory. Baptisms are celebrated once each month. The preparation classes are held on Thursdays in the Spiritual Formation Center. We encourage registration for the program before birth.

Penance
"Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion."

Priests are available for confession on Saturdays between 1 & 2PM, on the Eve of Holy Days and on the Thursday before First Friday after the 8:45AM Mass. Private confessions are available at any time - Please contact the rectory.

The Eucharist
The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.

"At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet 'in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.'"

Our Mass Schedule affords the opportunity to participate in The Eucharist at your convenience.

Annointing of the Sick
"By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ."

Appointments may be made by contacting the rectory. In light of recent changes concerning the Patient Privacy Act, it is becoming difficult to visit those hospitalized. If you or someone you know would like a visit from the clergy during a stay in the hospital, please contact the rectory and leave the name, hospital, room number and approximate length of stay.

As a parish, we would like to stay connected to our homebound. Please let us know of anyone who would like to receive Holy Communion or of any lonely person who would appreciate a visit.

Marriage
"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."

Common practice of the Archdiocese of Newark asks that arrangements for Marriage be made at least one year in advance. Engaged couples should contact the rectory to make an appointment with one of the Priests.

Religious Education
Our Religious Education Office can assist those seeking information on the Sacrament of Confirmation as well as arrange enrollment in our programs leading to First Penance and First Communion.

RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
Adults interested in becoming Catholic or seeking to complete the sacraments of initiation are invited to enroll in our RCIA program. Please contact the Religious Education Office for additional information.