St. Mary Magdalene Sacraments and other Ritual Celebrations

BAPTISM

Baptism, the first of the sacraments of initiation, is usually celebrated on the third weekend of the month during the weekend liturgies. Parents requesting Baptism at another time may wish to celebrate the sacrament following the liturgy. Here at St. Mary Magdalene, when baptizing infants and young children immersion is the norm.

Attendance at a Baptismal preparation session is required in order to help parents and godparents to be better informed regarding the history and importance of the Sacrament. Subsequent sessions are offered for parents to discuss their role as 'domestic church' and the importance of strengthening their own marriage relationship to the life of their child.

FIRST COMMUNION

Preparation for this second sacrament of initiation begins in the winter of second grade with parents and children attending a special evening of reflection. Preparation continues both in Religious Education classes and in the home with special family materials. For four Sundays prior to reception our faith community welcomes the children to weekend Liturgies where they participate in meaningful rituals during Mass. The week prior to First Communion the children attend an after-school retreat, with formal celebration of the sacrament occurring on the last Sunday of April at the 10:30 Liturgy. Special arrangements can be made for older children.

FIRST RECONCILIATION

Preparation for this sacrament of healing begins early in second grade with children and parents gathering for an evening retreat. Preparation continues both in Religious Education classes and in the home with special family materials. The sacrament is celebrated at a special reconciliation service after the first of the year.

RECONCILIATION

The sacrament of reconciliation is offered every Saturday from 3:30-4:00 p.m. or anytime by appointment. Our Reconciliation Chapel offers individuals the option of confessing either face-to-face or behind a privacy screen. Parish celebrations of the sacrament are offered twice a year, generally during Advent and Lent.

CONFIRMATION

Preparation for this third sacrament of initiation begins in eleventh grade and continues through twelfth grade. Students meet in small groups in the homes of their catechists for prayer, study and faith sharing. In addition they plan and carry out a variety of service experiences and participate in a parish Confirmation retreat. Students are then confirmed in the springtime of their senior year.

MARRIAGE

Because we believe so deeply in the sanctity of marriage, a team of parishioners assists the pastor in conducting a Marriage Preparation Program here in the parish. Participation is required. Couples are asked to contact the parish office at least four to six months in advance of the selected date. During this time they meet with the Pastor and the Marriage Preparation Team. They also meet with the parish Coordinator of Liturgical Music, who helps them to plan the liturgy for their wedding.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

A Mass of Anointing is celebrated during one of the weekend liturgies twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall, so that members of the parish may join in prayer for those requesting the sacrament. Hospitalized individuals may receive the sacrament from the hospital chaplain or from our Pastor. At any other time people are invited to call the Parish Office to make arrangements.

FUNERAL LITURGIES

When someone dies, family members are invited to either contact the Parish Office directly or to have the funeral director do so. The pastor or another member of the Bereavement Team will then meet with family members in order to help them to plan the wake and funeral and to participate in choosing Scripture and music appropriate to the celebration. After the funeral, members of the Bereavement Team maintain contact with the family of the deceased and offer spiritual and emotional support when appropriate.

THE RITE of CHRISTIAN INITIATION of ADULTS ("RCIA")

The RCIA process is open to unbaptized adults, persons baptized in another denomination who desire full communion in the Catholic Church, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. This ongoing process of inquiry culminates in the Rites of Initiation in the Catholic Tradition celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Interested individuals are invited to contact the Pastoral Associate or any member of the RCIA Team at any time for further information.

THE RITE of CHRISTIAN INITIATION of CHILDREN ("RCIC")

This process is based upon the RCIA but adapted to the needs of younger children. The Pastoral Associate and the Director of Religious Education meet regularly to coordinate appropriate learning, prayer and faith experiences in preparation for reception of the children into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.