Sacraments
Baptism: Parents who are presenting their baby for Baptism should be registered members of the parish. Parents are also expected to participate in the Pre-Baptismal instruction which takes place the second Sunday of the month following the 10:30 am Mass. Baptism is celebrated on the third Sunday of the month (except during Lent) at 1:30 pm. For a brochure with dates for this year please click here
First Penance and First Communion:
Reconciliation: Reconciliation (Penance) celebrates and reminds us of God’s mercy and helps us to experience divine forgiveness, to forgive ourselves and to become reconciled with others. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated weekly each Saturday afternoon between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. There are also two communal celebrations scheduled during Advent and Lent. Preparation for First Penance (Reconciliation) usually begins in first grade. The actual celebration of First Penance is in early December for second grade. These are children who are preparing for First Eucharist. Parents assist in the preparation of their children for this sacrament and are expected to attend those meetings that will support their efforts.
Eucharist: Eucharist celebrates our life together as a community, the presence of Christ in our midst, the Word that is proclaimed and explained, many dimensions of the paschal mystery of death and rebirth. We celebrate our unity with Christ in communion and service. The Eucharist is celebrated daily and may be received at Mass and at the Good Friday Service. First Eucharist is celebrated generally in the second grade.
1. Candidates are registered parishioners.
2. Candidates should have completed two consecutive years of religious instruction in the parish catechetical program or a Catholic School.
3. Candidates should know basic prayers (The Sign of the Cross, The Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary).
4.
Candidates should attend and participate in our parish Sunday liturgy.
Parents are involved with their children in preparing for this sacrament and are expected to attend scheduled parent meetings.
Sacrament of Confirmation: Confirmation seals our Baptism and confirms our commitment both to the Church and to the work of Jesus Christ in the world. As a sign of God’s love to the candidate and the community, this Sacrament and its preparation calls the participants to reflect further on their relationship and experience with Jesus Christ in their lives. During the process, candidates are further introduced to our Christian community and strengthened for discipleship by participating in Confirmation Classes, Reconciliation, outreach to others and parish community involvement. The age for Confirmation varies throughout the Archdiocese of Newark. At MBS, Confirmation is usually celebrated during the ninth grade.
1. Candidates are high school students.
2. Candidates are registered parishioners.
3. Candidates have had continuous and sequential catechesis in a parish catechetical program or Catholic elementary school.
4. Candidates attend Sunday liturgy on a regular basis.
Baptized Catholics who have never been confirmed and wish to do so will participate in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). The sacrament will be celebrated during the Easter season.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Following the daily 6:45 am Mass and the 9:00 am Mass, 4:30-5:00 pm Saturday and also by appointment. Communal services during Advent and Lent.
Sacrament of Matrimony: Couples contemplating marriage should contact the Rectory one year before the desired date.
Pastoral Care for the Sick: Please notify the Parish Center when a family member is ill, whether in the hospital or at home. Holy Communion will be brought regularly by appointment to those confined to the home. The sick or chronically ill should receive the Sacrament of Anointing. In an emergency, call the Parish Center at any time.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults): The RCIA is a rite through which the Church celebrates the sacrament of Baptism of adults. The central purpose is conversion. Who are the participants? Persons who were never baptized in any tradition, individuals who have been baptized in another tradition who seek full communion with entrance into the Catholic Church or baptized Catholics who seek to complete their initiation by receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and/or Holy Eucharist. During the RCIA Process the participants attend sessions that study the doctrines, sacraments, and moral teachings of the Catholic Church. Prayer, reflection, sharing and Bible readings are essential to each meeting. We meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:00 pm in the Parish Center.
The RCIA has four stages:
+Evangelization-Inquiry: A time of inquiry takes place before a person makes a decision to ask for admission into the Catholic Faith Community. Participants experience spiritual counsel and faith instruction during this time.
+Catechumenate: Those not baptized become members of the Catechumate. A Catechumen is one who is continuing the faith journey to baptism at the Easter Vigil. A formal rite is celebrated which is called The Rite of Welcome and Acceptance. The participants are presented with the Sign of the Cross and the Scriptures. Those seeking Full Communion or who are completing their initiation keep the title of Candidate throughout the process of formation.
+Lent: The Rite of Election is celebrated on or near the First Sunday of Lent. This Rite takes place at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. Those to be admitted to Baptism are named as the Elect and enter the the period of Purification and Enlightenment. On the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent special rites called Scrutinies are prayed for the Elect. During Lent a deeper reflection occurs. Conversion is a surrender of oneself to the truth of Jesus Christ. The RCIA Participants, and the whole Church, ponders the gift of Jesus, who was sent by the Father, to be our redeeming Lord.
+Mystagogy: The Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated at the Easter Vigil. During the Easter Season and the stage of mystagogy the newly baptized and newly initiated continue to learn how to live as Catholic Christians.