Rev. Max Lasrado, Pastor

Our Mission

Celebration of Liturgy at Blessed Sacrament

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is the foundation of the Sacramental life of the Church. In this sacrament, we are cleansed from sin and are reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, and are incorporated into the Body of Christ. (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213-1284.) We live out the promises we make at our baptism by regularly practicing our faith. It is therefore important that you and the baptismal sponsor(s) pray and reflect about the raising of your child in the Catholic faith.

The Blessed Sacrament community welcomes you and your child! If your child is still on his or her way or here already, and is less than 7 years old, this is the place to begin the steps towards Baptism! For a child 7 through 12 please contact Melissa Heinen, Coordinator of Religious Education at Blessed Sacrament.

Throughout the United States, Catholic churches wish the parents to be prepared for the ongoing task of raising a child in the faith. Baptism preparation classes exist for this purpose. Here are the steps to register for a class:

1. Register to become a member of the parish
   At Blessed Sacrament, we first encourage you to be a parish member. In asking to have your child baptized, you are accepting the responsibility of training your child in their lifelong practice of the Catholic faith. By parish membership, you will be able to access the religious education and the support you may need to fulfill that desire.
   
   Here is a link to download a parish registration form.
   
   You can always pick up a form at a weekend Mass or from the church office during regular office hours.
   
   
2. Decide on a Baptism Class Date
   Baptismal preparation classes take place on the first Monday of the even months at 6:30 pm in the Religious Education Building. In 2-parent families, both parents are expected to attend the class.
   
   Please click on this link for a letter to parents and a check off list to aide you in the planning process.
   
   
3. Godparent Information
   The choice of a Godparent can be a special moment in a family's life. If you have been chosen to be a Godparent, congratulations, as this privilege says a great deal about the respect the parents have for you as they consider the future spiritual path of their beloved child. Here are some of the Catholic church's considerations as this choice is made:
   
   
   1. Qualifications for Godparents/Sponsors
      
      Only one sponsor/godparent is required. If two are chosen, one of each gender must be selected. To be qualified to serve as a godparent, a person must:
      
      
      • Be a Catholic who has received Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation (Sacraments of Initiation)
      • Live a life of faith befitting the role of godparent.
      • If the godparent is married, the marriage must be a marriage recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as valid. The class facilitators or deacons can assist you if you have any doubts about this.
      • Be older than 16 years of age.
      • Not be the mother or father of the child.
      
      If the sponsor is not a Blessed Sacrament parishioner, (including those who live out of town) A letter is required from the parish/pastor to confirm being in good standing. If this is the case, please check with your home parish for their requirements to be sponsors.
      
      Because the sponsors are required to help the child live out the Catholic faith, non-Catholics are not permitted to be sponsors. If a family wishes to have a non-Catholic participate in the Rite, it is required that the person be a baptized Christian and can be designated as a Christian witness. He/she will be recorded as "Christian witness" in the official records. The Christian witness is asked to provide a copy of their baptismal record or give a written statement attesting to their baptism and that they strive to live their Christian faith. They are welcome, but not required to attend the baptismal preparation class. A person who has left the Catholic Church (ex-Catholic) cannot serve as a Christian witness.
      
      
   2. Proxies
      If the godparents cannot be present at the Baptism, proxies can be designated to answer the parts of the godparents during the ceremony itself. They should meet the same qualifications as godparents but do not have to take classes. They will be listed in baptismal record as "proxies".
      
      
   3. Becoming Catholic as an Adult- RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
      The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a journey - a journey one makes together with the Catholic community in search of God. The RCIA presents non-Catholics with an in-depth study of our faith with no obligation to be baptized. Some of the topics include The Mystery of God, Mary, the Communion of Saints, the Popes, Church Councils, Church History, the Bible, Sacraments and many more. These sessions are open to all who are curious about Catholicism. There is no obligation to enter into the Church.
      
      Sessions meet regularly during the school year from 9:00 am - 10:00 am in the Religious Education Building to explore the meaning of our faith and to help individuals discern their call.
      
      The Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) is the process for anyone who wants to become a member of the Catholic faith community.
      
      These sessions are for persons who would like to be baptized, who have been previously baptized in another Christian faith or who were baptized Catholic but not raised in the faith.
      
      

Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Penance (also called Reconciliation) is the Sacrament of Healing in which Jesus Christ himself, through the action of a bishop or priest, forgives personal sins committed after Baptism. It is the means established by Christ to restore our communion with God and the Church when we have broken or weakened it by sin and encourages us to experience conversion of heart and to recommit ourselves to virtue and holiness.

The reconciliation room at Blessed Sacrament is located in the Narthex to the left of the chapel. The confessional is configured for private screened confession. The Act of Contrition prayer is available in the room, but please know that the priest is happy to guide you through any part of the process of celebrating this important sacrament.

Reconciliation is available every Saturday from 3:45- 4:15 pm. Appointments may also be made by calling the parish office and making arrangements with the pastor.

Communal Penance is celebrated during the seasons of Advent and Lent.

Children in the second grade are prepared for First Reconciliation as part of the First Communion preparation program through Religious Education.

Eucharist

The Eucharist is at the heart of the Catholic experience of God. Here – in Communion with God and with each other – we come to know the risen Christ. We hear the Word of God each time we gather in the Liturgy of the Word. We offer our lives and our hearts and our belongings to God. We enter into the mystery of Christ present to us in the Eucharistic prayer. Nourished by God we carry this love out into the world to sustain us until we meet again at the next celebration. Please join us as we gather together each week to celebrate this sacred mystery.

Confirmation

Confirmation is the Sacrament that completes Baptism and the Sacrament in which God passes on the grace of the Holy Spirit and perfects the grace received at Baptism.

In Confirmation there is an increase in the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit which strengthen one to serve the Church and draw others to the friendship of God. Among the effects of Confirmation is the strengthening to proclaim and defend the Faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Traditionally, a sponsor accompanies and presents the candidate for Confirmation. It is also traditional to select a name at Confirmation. Candidates may select the name of a saint they wish to emulate or may consider using their baptismal name.

At Blessed Sacrament, Confirmation is conferred in the ninth grade. Students enrolled in one of the area Catholic High Schools are required to take part in the preparation along with the public high school students. Preparation classes are held on Sundays during the school year from 9am-10:15 am. The date for Confirmation is announced in early Fall.

Please visit our Religious Education Page for important information/form(s) and class dates.

Matrimony

The institution of marriage is a natural good created by God. It has been an important element of human society in every age and in every culture. Marriage is the exclusive, freely chosen, lifelong, loving, complementary union of a man and a woman for the procreation and education of children.

In the Sacrament of Matrimony, Christ raises natural marriage to the level of the supernatural. The Sacrament provides grace so that a Christian couple can achieve the ends of natural marriage. It also raises marriage to a divine vocation, reflecting the union of Christ and his Church.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT!

Each engaged couple is unique in their needs as they approach the Sacrament of Marriage. Our pastor works with each couple on an individual basis to meet those needs, helping the couple build a firm foundation for a lifetime of marriage. Engaged couples should contact the parish office at least nine months prior to the date they wish to be married. Preparation for marriage involves multiple steps. A summary outline is provided below. The summary is typical for most couples, but can vary depending on specific needs.

Marriage Preparation steps

1. Prenuptial meeting: Contact the parish office at least nine months in advance of your anticipated wedding date. Schedule an appointment with the pastor to discuss the sacrament of marriage as well as your expectations for the ceremony.
   
   
2. Required documents: After the prenuptial interview, begin procuring the required documents:
   
   
   1. Updated Baptismal record
      1. For Catholics, contact the church of Baptism and request this document. The record must have an issue-date which is within 6-months of the wedding date. Plan your request accordingly.
         
         
      2. For non-Catholics, a certificate or letter from your Church of Baptism is acceptable and can be issued at any time.
         
         
      3. For non-baptized, this requirement does not apply.
         
         
   2. Affidavits of Freedom to Marry: these forms are provided to you at the prenuptial meeting.
      
      
   3. Other documents as specified by the pastor at the prenuptial meeting.
      
      
   4. FOCCUS assessment: The FOCCUS^© Inventory is designed to help engaged couples appreciate their unique relationship, learn more about themselves, and discuss topics important to their lifelong marriage. If deemed applicable by the pastor, a FOCCUS pre-marriage inventory coordinator will contact you to assist you with this relationship assessment.
      
      
3. Marriage Preparation course: Attend the Gift of Self: Marriage Preparation seminar which is a one-day seminar offered in various locations around the diocese throughout the year.
   
   
4. Meet with the Liturgy Coordinator and Music Coordinator: The Liturgy Coordinator will meet with you to ensure that liturgical guidelines for your ceremony are met. The Music coordinator will offer guidance for your music selections and discuss any special needs or concerns with regards to the music and musicians.

Additional information is available through the Diocesan Life and Family Evangelization Office at https://www.rockforddiocese.org/life/marriage-family/

For additional information on marriage, parenting and family please visit http://www.foryourmarriage.org/

Anointing of the Sick

The sacrament of anointing is a gift to all of us. Jesus spent a great deal of time healing the sick, and His ministry is with us today. The Church believes that among the seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by age and/or illness, the Anointing of the Sick.

Through the ancient prayers for healing, the scent and the feel of the holy oil and the touch of the priest's hand, we can find the strength to continue our struggle with illness, no matter what the outcome might be. We know that God and the community of faith are with us - and we no longer feel quite so alone.

The Anointing of the Sick is not only for those who are at the point of death. As soon as anyone begins to be in danger from sickness or old age, that is the time to receive this sacrament. If the person regains their health they can, should they become seriously ill again, receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person's condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is proper for the sacrament to be received just prior to surgery.

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: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate." [CCC 1536]

It is through the apostles, and the bishops that succeed them, that Jesus Christ perpetuates his mission of salvation to all nations. The bishop ordains priests and deacons to assist him in the governance and ministry of his diocese. This happens through the "laying on of hands." In the sacramental rite of ordination a bishop lays his hands on the head of the new priest or deacon and confers upon him the sacramental nature, or imprint, of Holy Orders. These men now belong to Christ in a special way to minister to mankind, heal their spiritual wounds, and restore them to God.

This sacrament is scheduled by the Bishop.

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