CELEBRATING THE LORD’S PRESENCE WITH US

INSTRUCTIONS/REGULATIONS REGARDING THE RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENTS

BAPTISMS:   The Liturgy of Baptism is celebrated on Sundays at 1:00 PM.  Arrangements are to be made beforehand, with a priest or deacon, at the Parish Center.

            Godparents:            Together with the parents, sponsors present the infant for Baptism.  Sponsors are to help the baptized lead a Christian life in harmony with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it.

            To qualify as a sponsor, an individual must:

• Be 16 years of age
• Be a practicing Catholic (i.e. weekly attendance at Mass, frequent

      reception of sacraments of Penance & Eucharist)

• If married, validly married according to the laws of the Church

            Letter (Certificate of Eligibility):            Godparents not from this parish must obtain a letter
            from their parish attesting to the fact that they qualify to be a godparent.

            Note:            One sponsor may be a non-Catholic but this sponsor must be a member (practicing) of a  Christian Church.

            Pre-Jordan Program:     The purpose of this program is to assist parents in celebrating the Baptism of their child and to give them insights into the child’s spiritual care and training.  Attendance at this program is required before a child is baptized.  Parents are encouraged to attend while they are expecting their baby.

            The program is held on the 1st Sunday of each month following the Noon Mass in the Spiritually Center.

            Arrangements may be made for visiting priests to baptize at times convenient to the family and when the church is available.

CONFIRMATION:   Each Spring, 5th grade students both in the school and PREP program are invited to participate in a program of preparation for the celebration of Confirmation in the fall.

            Junior & Senior High School Students:            Any 7th thru 12th grade student who wishes to be confirmed should contact the Directress of Religious Education.

            Adults to be confirmed:            Any adult who has not been confirmed and wishes to be so, should contact a priest or deacon.

            Sponsors for Confirmation:            Qualifications to be a sponsor at Confirmation are the same for those of a Catholic Godparent at Baptism.  Since the role of sponsor is to assist the parents in providing witness to the confirmandi, the sponsor is someone other than the parent.

            Letter of Eligibility:            Sponsors not from the parish where Confirmation is administered need a letter of eligibility from their parish.

MARRIAGE:  In order to assist couples in their preparation for Christian marriage, the priest must be notified six months before the ceremony.  Couples considering marriage should contact a priest at the Parish Center to make an appointment to meet with him.

            Pre-Cana (Pre-Marital) Program or Engagement Encounter:            The Church earnestly desires to assist engaged couples in strengthening their relationship.  This is usually accomplished by learning about and discussing things which promote a lasting commitment. Such things include: communication skills, decision-making on the use of time and money, attitudes about sex and sexuality, and the sacramental meaning of marriage.

            Our parish provides a Pre-Cana Program.  Space is limited; reservations are needed.  Contact Father Chylinski.  Married couples who would like to minister to engaged couples in this program should contact Father Chylinski.

            The Archdiocese provides a “large” group program which meets once a week for four weeks.  The Archdiocese also provides an Engagement Encounter.  Call the Parish Center for further details.

            Weddings:            Weddings are scheduled on Saturdays at 10:00 AM, Noon, and 2:00 PM.  Visiting priests are welcome.  Contact a parish priest for other details.

VISITATION/ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Please notify the Parish Center when a parishioner has been hospitalized or confined at home due to sickness, infirmity or age.

            Communion Calls:            A parish priest visits and brings Holly Communion to the shut-ins on a monthly             basis.  Eucharistic Ministers are available on Sundays to bring communion to the homes of those who are sick or infirmed.

            Communal Celebration for the Anointing of the Sick:            Persons afflicted with physical, mental, emotional sicknesses, such as cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, chronic heart/lung disease, depression, anxiety and/or persons who find themselves in a weakened condition due to age or illness are invited to attend this Liturgy and to be anointed.  To be anointed in this way is to be consecrated – that is to be set aside – for God’s blessing and protection during this time of sickness.  Communal celebrations are held at all weekend Masses in October and at a 5:00 PM Saturday evening Mass in the Spring.

            Hospitalization:            Persons planning to enter a hospital are encouraged to request to receive the             Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick after a weekend Mass prior to entering the hospital.

            Emergencies at Home: Please call the Parish Center anytime.

            Hospital Care & Terminal Illness:            Please invite the priest to minister in such times.  The Lord’s presence in the sacraments is so supportive and comforting.

HOLY ORDERS AND RELILGIOUS PROFESSION:        Any young man of the parish (high school or college graduate) who has an interest in serving as a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia may write to:  Director of Admissions, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, Philadelphia, PA  19151.

Any young man or woman of the parish who has an interest in entering the Religious Life may contact the respective order or congregation directly or write to:  Director of Vocations, 222 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA  19103-1299.

Any parishioner over the age of 18 who has an interest in serving the Church as lector, Eucharistic minister, minister of music, youth minister, etc. may join the Church Ministries Program by writing to:  Director of Church Ministries, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, Philadelphia, PA  19151.

Any man (single or married) who has an interest in becoming a Permanent Deacon may write to:  Office of the Permanent Diaconate, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, Philadelphia, PA  19151.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL (Funeral Arrangements):          The Funeral Director makes all arrangements with the church for the Mass of Christian Burial.  However, a priest or deacon will meet with the family to prepare the Funeral Liturgy.

REGULATIONS ON FAST AND ABSTINENCE

Everyone over 14 years of age is bound to observe the law of abstinence.  Complete abstinence is to be observed on the seven Fridays within the season of Lent and Passiontide and on Ash Wednesday.

On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, everyone 18 years of age and up to the beginning of their 60th year is also bound to observe the law of fast.  On these two days, only one full meatless meal is allowed.  Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs; but together they should not equal another full meal.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, therefore, are the only days of both Fast and Abstinence.

THE EUCHARISTIC FAST
(Water and Medicine Never Break the Fast)

Regular meals and solid food or liquids may be taken up to ONE HOUR before receiving Holy Communion.  Water and medicine may be taken at any time; it never breaks the fast.

These regulations apply at all times, whether Holy Communion is received at Mass in the morning, afternoon, or evening, or at midnight.

THE SICK AND INFIRMED, as well as those who care for them, may receive Holy Communion even if they have taken something during the previous hour.