The classic definition of a sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace. In other words, the sacraments are particular expressions of God’s saving love celebrated within the setting of a community and/or a person’s life. Sacraments involve words (prayers), actions (e.g. touch, laying on of hands) and symbolic materials (e.g. bread, wine, oils, water) as defined by the whole Church. Just as a gift (e.g. a ring at wedding, or present to one we love) is an expression of our ongoing, ever-present love so too are the sacraments in terms of God’s love for us. There are seven sacraments and they can be divided into 3 areas of Church life.

1. The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
2. The Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation (Confession) and the Sacrament of the Sick
3. The Sacraments of Service: Marriage and Holy Orders

The Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism

The sacrament of baptism is the first step of Christian life. It is a sacrament through which we are incorporated into the body of Christ the Church. Ideally baptisms take place on a Sunday and can be celebrate during Mass or a separate service. At St Vincent’s an appointment is necessary to initiate this sacrament. If you wish to have a child baptized, please contact the presbytery. Alternatively contact one of the parish clergy and obtain a  baptismal form.

Adults can also be baptized. This ideally happens during the Easter Vigil after a course of preparation (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.) Contact should be made with a member of the parish clergy.
 
The Ceremony of Baptism

There are a number of elements to this ceremony. Father Jonathan describes the first as being the “formal welcoming of the child.” The child is named, given the sign of the cross and brought into the congregation. The scriptures are then read aloud, followed by the prayer of exorcism. Father Jonathan points out that this prayer is not as “horrible as it sounds” and only protects the child from what we call “ the tendency of original sin.”

The first anointing then takes place, with the oil of baptism applied to the child’s chest. This act reflects the historical use of oil for healing and well being. It is also a way to prepare the child for the “race of life.” Father Jonathan quotes St Paul, who said “ I have run my race to the finish.” Water is then blessed and the parents and Godparents make a renouncement of sin and renew their baptismal promises. The child is then baptized, in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. At this point the child has received the  sacrament of baptism. The following rites try to unpack the gift that the child has received. 

Following baptism, a second anointing then takes place, which involves the use of Chrism. Chrism is a commissioning oil, that is also used in other sacraments such as confirmation. The use of this oil also signifies the shared mission with Christ. The child is being prepared to share in the three roles of priest, prophet and king. The role of priest requires the revealing of God’s love for the world. Prophet requires the world to be challenged, through the gospel.  The role of King reflects the dignity of Christ.

A fresh white garment is then placed onto the child, reflecting the newness of life in Christ, also being clothed in Christ or the “putting on of Christ.” The use of a lighted baptismal candle is a sign that the child has been enlightened by Christ. It is also a symbol of Christ “the light of the world” and “the risen Christ.” The Our Father is said, in anticipation of the day when the child can stand for itself in the midst of the church community reciting the great family prayer. The sacrament concludes with the blessing of the child’s parents as they embark on teaching and raising their child in the ways of Christian faith.

Holy Eucharist

There are three parts in talking about this sacrament.

Firstly, there is preparation for making one’s First Holy Communion. First Holy Communion is the first time that this sacrament is received in a person’s life. At St Vincent’s children in Year 2 of primary school are prepared to make their first Holy Communion. This preparation involves home, school, and parish elements linking together. A book is used, which we work through as parish catechists, teachers and parents. For those children not attending our Catholic schools there is an after school class once a week. The preparation program is advertised for several weeks in the parish newsletter.

Secondly, we have the theological reflection about the sacrament of the Eucharist. This sacrament is the oldest of the sacraments. The early church met to share their stories of what Jesus did and said, and remembered him at the breaking of bread. The sacrament of the Eucharist is the highpoint of our communal Christian life, as the Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful throughout the world that the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life and faith. The sacrament of the Eucharist is also a symbol of unity, as we who are many come together to share the one bread and one cup. 

The final part is practical arrangements for the Sunday and daily celebration of Mass, with its cycles of saints and feast days, and the more solemn celebrations at highpoints of the Church’s year (i.e. Christmas, Easter, Pentecost). Generally the Mass times are as follows: Sundays: 19:00 (Sat), 08:30, (9:30 Bowden Vale Covent), 10:00 (family Mass), 11:15, 18:30. Weekday Mass (Monday-Saturday inclusive) is at 12:15. On Holy Days of Obligation Mass is at 10:00, (11:00 Bowden Vale Covent) 12:15, and 20:00.

Confirmation

For The Sacrament of Confirmation, please see the interview with the catechist.

The Sacraments of Healing

The Sacrament of Penance

This sacrament has a number of names, such as confession, reconciliation and forgiveness. Each name reveals a facet of the sacrament. Confession refers to the procession of examining our lives and revealing those areas of sin that we come to be forgiven for.  Reconciliation reduces the distance between the sinner and God. Penance specifically marks the sorrow and attempts to make restitution for sin.

Public acts of forgiveness are found in many different faiths and cultures. Father Jonathan uses the example of The Old Testament: the Day of Atonement.  The sacrament of reconciliation, for Christians, has evolved over time. It was first a public ceremony whereby those who had rejected the church community in time persecution were accepted back into the fold. As time went on, it gradually became a sacrament for all who experience sinfulness to be reconciled to God and to community (represented by the priest). The Church requires all who have made their first confession/forgiveness to receive the sacrament at least once a year, usually before Easter. It is a good way of examining ourselves our everyday attitudes and treatment of others in the light of Gospel and to have a change of heart or spring clean.

To fully understand this sacrament we must also understand sin. The Jews identified three meanings of sin. Sin can mean a simple falling short of the target. It can also be a missing of the target completely.   And finally sin can also mean a deliberate act of turning away. We have to remember that sin does not affect God’s love for us or damage God in anyway. It does damage the sinner.

The sacrament of reconciliation can be received on Saturdays between 11.00-12.00 noon, 6.00-7.00pm and by appointment. There are also two public penitential services in advent and lent, when there is a public reflection followed by individual receptions of the sacrament.
 
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

This sacrament is focused toward people who are physically or mentally sick. Sometimes people get confused between this sacrament and the ‘last rites’. The sacrament of the sick can be repeated as often as necessary. It is celebrated with people who have a serious illness. It involves prayer, the laying on of hands on the person’s head  and requesting the Holy Spirit to come and help the sick person. The person is also anointed with oil. It is a sacrament of healing and an implicit part of the sacrament is absolution of sin. It is not to be used as an alternative to reconciliation, but is to emphasize the healing grace of God which leads either to recovery of health or in the case of death, peace in his presence.   

In certain cases, when death is likely, the continuous rites can be administered. This is sometimes called the Last Rites and involves the sacrament of reconciliation, anointing and viaticum. Viaticum is the final administration of communion (and literally means bread for the journey).

Administration of the Sacrament of the Sick is by request, and contact should be made with one of the priests in the parish. The sacrament is also routinely administered twice a year at the sick and housebound Masses organized by the Society Vincent de Paul (SVP) and are announced in the parish newsletters. 

The Sacraments of Service

The two sacraments Holy Orders and Matrimony are called sacraments of service, because they serve to build up the body of the church both in their witness fidelity, love, and passing on of the faith.

The Sacrament of Matrimony.

The sacrament of Matrimony is also called a sacrament because the love between husband and wife also reflects God’s love for the Church. It is referred to as a sacrament of service because, like the sacrament of Holy Orders, it serves to build up the body of Christ the Church. Interestingly, it is the only sacrament that an ordained minister (bishop, priest, deacon) does not administer. The man and woman confer the sacrament on one another through their free consent made through their vows. The presence of a priest or deacon is only an official witness on behalf of the church community.

Like nearly all the sacraments, the Church has a responsibility to prepare those intending to receive the sacrament. This is especially true in marriage when it is the couple themselves who are conferring the sacrament on one another, i.e. the couple need to understand what marriage is. In this part of the world, we arrange for couples to attend one of several marriage course days held throughout the year. In addition to personal preparation, there is the Church’s paperwork, and finally there is the civil side of marriage. All this will be explained to you. Marriages are by appointment only. If you wish to get married at St Vincent’s please contact a member of the parish clergy.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders

When speaking of sacraments of service, we obviously turn our thoughts to the sacrament of holy orders. This is where people discern that God has given them a specific vocation in the Church (e.g. God has called them to be a priest, or a religious sister or a brother) and offers themselves in service of God and of his church. In the first instance they should make contact with the Diocese, Religious Order, or Congregation that they wish to join. There then follows, interviews, discernment, and formation training, ending with ordination (for deacons and priests.)