sacraments
“But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
Confirmation is the Sacrament of Initiation by which, through the laying on of hands and anointing with sacred chrism, a baptized person is strengthened by the Holy Spirit, so that he or she can steadfastly witness to and profess the Catholic faith.
This Sacrament brings a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as it was once granted to the Apostles at Pentecost. Confirmation, like Baptism and Holy Orders, places an indelible character or mark on the human soul that remains for eternity.
Students who: are in third grade or above, have celebrated their First Penance, have been participating in the Family of Faith Program, and are properly disposed, may prepare for and celebrate Confirmation with First Holy Communion. Please call (603.893.3336) or visit the parish office (or email) and speak to Colleen for more information and to register for the Family of Faith program.
Adults who wish to celebrate Confirmation have a separate preparation process. Please contact Sandy Gibbons (603.893.3336 or email).
confirmation
“Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1216
We invite you to celebrate the Baptism of your child in your St. Matthew Parish family!
Our journey of faith as children of God begins with Baptism, through which we are united to Jesus and given the hope of eternal life. We become part of the Body of Christ. Baptism initiates our sacramental life in the Church and our life in the Holy Spirit.
Parents prepare for the Baptism of their child by meeting individually with our pastoral minister. We hope to get to know your family as we discuss the beauty of the Sacrament, the role and requirements for godparents, the inherent responsibility and commitment of parents, as well as the profound spiritual effects of the Sacrament.
At this time, we are celebrating private Baptisms on Sunday afternoons. The schedule varies each month according to availability. Please contact Sandy Gibbons (603.893.3336 or email), and she will be happy to schedule an initial meeting.
baptism
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as the Sacrament of Penance, or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: conversion, confession, and celebration. In it, we find God's unconditional forgiveness, and as a result we are called to forgive others.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated in the church confessional (room to the left of the altar):
Monday - Friday: 7:30-8:15a
Wednesday: 6:30-7p
Saturday: 2:30-3:30p
First Reconciliation is celebrated with our second grade students prior to them receiving First Communion and Confirmation in the third grade.
Are you unsure about the process of Reconciliation? Read an Examination of Conscience, and learn about the rubrics of the sacrament (pdf).
reconciliation
The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist is the true body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, who is really and substantially and sacramentally present under the appearances of bread and wine.
Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross reconciled us with the Father and opened the Father’s kingdom of heaven to us.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated daily.
Eucharist
Holy Orders is the sacrament by which, through the authority of the Church, the imposition of a bishop’s hands confers on a man the grace and spiritual power to celebrate the Church’s sacraments.
There are three forms of this sacrament: diaconate (deacon), presbyterate (priest), and episcopate (bishop). This one sacrament is celebrated three times with successively higher sacramental effects.
Every man in Holy Orders is either a deacon, priest, or bishop.
"Christ Jesus has made me His own."
Are you called to belong to Christ alone as a priest or through the consecrated life?
For more information about Holy Orders, you may also speak to St Matthew’s clergy or visit the diocesan website.
vocations
The Sacrament of Marriage is that by which a baptized man and woman establish between themselves a lifelong partnership for their mutual good and for the procreation and education of children.
Matrimony refers more to the relationship between husband and wife than to the ceremony, which is a wedding. The matter of this sacrament is the consent of the man and the woman, expressed externally by words and signs conferring the sacrament upon each other as witnessed by the Church.
Engaged couples must be registered and active in parish life. The couple should contact the parish office at least one year prior to planned wedding date to begin preparation.
marriage
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is that by which Christ gives spiritual aid and strength to the sick and dying. The priest administers it whenever someone is in proximate danger of death. Catholics who believe they may be within weeks of death, Catholics preparing for surgery that requires full anesthesia, or Catholics preparing for particularly hazardous activity should seek this sacrament.
We celebrate an annual Anointing service each year in the fall. However, if at any time you wish to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, please contact the parish office or speak with the priest after Mass.
