Overview

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Overview of the Sacraments

Baptism

In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are set free from Original Sin, incorporated into the Body of Christ and become members of His Holy Church. Baptism is the gateway to the Sacraments of Initiation: the Eucharist and Confirmation. Parents presenting their children for Baptism promise to raise their children in the practice of the faith and assure that they complete the Sacraments of Initiation. Parents are required to attend and participate in a pre-baptismal class and should be members of the parish. Godparents are required to be fully initiated, practicing Catholics. The Sacrament of Baptism is usually celebrated within the context of the Sunday Liturgy.

Confirmation

“Confirmation is a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit like that of Pentecost. This outpouring impresses upon the soul an indelible character and produces a growth in the grace of Baptism. It roots us more deeply in divine kinship, binds us more firmly to Christ and to the Church, and reinvigorates the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our soul” Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 268).

For teens, the two-year preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is normally begun in the 9th Grade of High School. As well as regular formation sessions during their second year, those preparing for Confirmation participate in monthly sessions with their sponsor; complete a service project; and take part in a retreat. Contact Sister Angie for more information.

For adults who need to only complete their Sacraments of Initiation by becoming confirmed, we have an Adult Confirmation Program. Contact Sister Angie for more information. For adults who are baptized but have not as yet celebrated the Sacraments of Reconciliation or the Eucharist, contact Sister Angie concerning the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

Eucharist

“At the Last Supper, Our Savior instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice of his Body and Blood, by which the Sacrifice of his Cross is perpetuated until Hhe comes again; and till then he entrusts the memorial of his Death and Resurrection to his beloved spouse, the Church” Catechism of the Catholic Church (SC#47). In and through the celebration of the Divine Mysteries in Word and Sacrament we are constantly being built up into the Body of Christ. As St. Augustine reminds us that through our faithful reception of the Eucharist, we become what we receive.

Children preparing for their first Reconciliation and the Eucharist must be baptized as a Catholic. Sacramental preparation is a two-year process, beginning in the First Grade. The celebrations of the sacrament occur in Second Grade. Children who attend St. Peter’s Catholic School are only required to participate in Sunday Mass and in the retreats.

Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession provides us with an opportunity to encounter the mercy and compassion of our God. Through this Sacrament we find the Grace of God to overcome sin and be reconciled to God and one another. During the Seasons of Advent and Lent, Communal Penance Services are celebrated at St. Gabriel and/or in the various parishes of the Deanery. Catholics are bound to receive the Sacrament once a year, especially during the Lent/Easter Season.

Anointing of the Sick

In the Letter of James, we find the commandment: ”is there anyone sick among you, let them send for the priests of the Church and let the priests pray over them anointing them with oil … the prayer of faith will save the sick person ..." The Anointing of the Sick should be celebrated with the priest prior to surgery or during an extended illness. The Sacrament may be celebrated at various stages of an illness. The Sacrament can also be administered to those who are advanced in age. Our parish celebrates a communal anointing during weekday Mass on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., and on the first Wednesday of each month at 12:00 noon. Persons wishing to receive the grace of this Sacrament may contact the Pastor, or can arrange for the celebration of the Sacrament through our Ministers of the Sick. For a medical emergency requiring the presence of a priest, please call: 919-260-1873. This number is not to be used for any other purpose.

Matrimony

Catholics understand sacramental marriage as a covenant between a husband and wife into which they invite God as a constitutive person. A wedding is a celebration which establishes this three-way bond. The Diocese of Raleigh requires that the Pastor be contacted six months before the proposed wedding date, in order that adequate time may be scheduled to complete the marriage preparation program. Those seeking to be married at St. Gabriel are encouraged to contact the parish office at least nine months in advance, in order to secure the couple's preferred date/time and to begin preparation for the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated.” (1 Cor 13:4)