Saint Elizabeth Catholic Parish
SACRAMENTS (Details)
revised:
May 25, 2021

Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

The Sacrament of Baptism is often called "The door of the Church," because it is the first of the seven Sacraments not only in time, but also in priority. The reception of all other Sacraments depends on it. Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation, the other two being the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Once baptized, a person becomes a member of the Church.

Baptism Preparation Classes: contact the Parish Office for information. Download the 'Baptism Registration Form'.

Who may have the Baptism at St. Elizabeth?

  • Catholics living within the parish boundaries registered or not.
  • Catholics living outside the parish boundaries, if they are registered in the parish.
  • Catholics living outside the parish boundaries MUST have some connection with the parish. However, they must obtain permission from their parish of residence to have the Baptism here. It is a matter of courtesy between parishes.

For infants and children up to six (6) years of age:

Parents of the child are responsible:

  • To contact the office.
  • To provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate.
  • To provide $100.00 fee per child.
  • To attend a preparation class.

For children ages six (6) years up to fourteen (14) of age:

Parents of the child are responsible:

  • To Register the child in the School of Religion in this parish or another parish/or in a Catholic School.
  • To participate in the preparation, which involves them and the child over a period of time, no less than six months.
  • To provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate and any other papers required.
  • To see that the primary godparents (sponsors) attend a preparation class.

For youngsters fourteen (14) years up to eighteen (18) of age:

Parents with the youngster are responsible to contact the office;

  • To provide a copy of the youngster’s birth certificate.
  • To enroll the youngster in a catechetical program here or in another parish.
  • To participate in the preparation over a period of time no less than six months or longer if the individual is to receive the three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist together.

For persons eighteen years (18) or older, the individual is responsible to contact the parish office for information regarding the RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).

View 'The Sacrament of Baptism' Video

Eucharist

The Sacrament of Eucharist, also known as "Holy Communion", is the third of the Sacraments of Initiation. Even though we are required to receive Communion at least once per year (our Easter Duty), and the Church urges us to receive Communion frequently (even daily, if possible), it is called a Sacrament of Initiation because, like Baptism and Confirmation, it brings us into the fullness of our life in Christ.

In Holy Communion, we are eating the True Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, without which "you shall not have life in you" (John 6:53).

Because of the intimate connection of the Sacrament of Holy Communion to our life in Christ, we must be free of any grave or mortal sin before receiving it, as St. Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29. Otherwise, as he warns, we receive the Sacrament unworthily, and we "eateth and drinketh damnation" to ourselves.

If we are aware of having committed a mortal sin, we must participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation first. The Church sees the two Sacraments as connected and urges us, when we can, to join frequent Reconciliation with frequent Communion.


Confirmation

It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the Sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.

From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:

  • it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15);
  • it unites us more firmly to Christ;
  • it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
  • it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
  • it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross:

Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts.

View 'The Sacrament of Confirmation' Video

Sacraments of Vocation

Marriage

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." Ephesians 5:15

At its most basic level, marriage is a union between a man and a woman for the purpose of procreation and mutual love and support.

In the Catholic Church, marriage is considered to be more than a natural institution. It was elevated by Christ Himself, in His participation in the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11), to be one of the seven Sacraments. A marriage between two Christians, therefore, has a supernatural element as well as a natural one.

Call the Parish Office at least six months before the desired date.

REHEARSAL: A rehearsal for all members of the wedding party will be conducted on an evening before the wedding day, usually a Friday. Please bring with you to the rehearsal the following: the marriage license and certificate, the offering for the Church, fees for organist (and soloist.)

OFFERING: The offering to the Church is $750.00.

MUSIC: Please contact Cyril Deaconoff at 510-567-3556 four to six months before the wedding. This arrangement is between the couple and the organist. The musical selections, vocal and instrumental, must conform to the regulations of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. CD’s are not permitted for Mass services.

FLOWERS: Flowers, a sign of gratitude to God for your life and a new vocation are to remain in the Church. If there is more than one wedding on the same day, the couples may want to coordinate their floral arrangements in order to cut down on expenses. If flowers or bows decorate the pews, no scotch tape or tacks are to be used to secure them.

RICE: For the sake of safety as well as the cleanliness of the church property, the throwing of rice, birdseed or confetti is not allowed. Please inform your friends about this matter.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Please notify your photographers to check with the priest or deacon before the ceremony. Flash pictures may be taken only as the bridal party enters and leaves the church. Photographers are asked not to move around during the ceremony. Pictures may also be taken in the sanctuary for no longer than half an hour after the wedding. Those participating in the photo session should be quiet and show respect for the sacred environment.

PUNCTUALITY: Please be on time for both the rehearsal and the wedding itself. It is a simple courtesy to the guests and the priest or deacon.

RING BEARER AND FLOWER GIRLS: We discourage using children under the age of five for the role of ring bearer or flower girls because their attention span is very short and their behavior sometimes unmanageable and unpredictable. Flower girls must not scatter petals or flowers in the Church wedding.


Holy Orders

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of Christ's priesthood, which He bestowed upon His Apostles; thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to the Sacrament of Holy Orders as "the Sacrament of Apostolic Ministry."

In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a man is incorporated into the priesthood of Christ at one of three levels: the episcopate, the priesthood, or the diaconate.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders can be validly conferred only on baptized men, following the example set by Christ and His Apostles, who chose only men as their successors and collaborators. A man cannot demand ordination; the Church has the authority to determine eligibility for the Sacrament.


Sacraments of Healing

Reconciliation

Through Reconciliation, Christians are freed from sins committed after Baptism. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is considered the normal way to be absolved from mortal sins which, it is believed, would otherwise condemn a person to Hell.

The Sacrament has four elements, three on the part of the penitent (contrition, confession and satisfaction) and one on the part of the minister of the Sacrament (absolution).

Catholics distinguish between two types of sin: Mortal sins are a grave violation of God's law that turns man away from God. Someone who is aware of having committed mortal sins must repent of having done so, and must confess them in order to benefit from the Sacrament. Venial sins, the kind that "does not set us in direct opposition to the will and friendship of God", can be remitted by contrition and reception of other Sacraments, but they too are rightly and usefully declared in confession.

View 'The Sacrament of Reconceliation' Video

Anointing of the Sick

"Pain & suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus - a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you."
Mother Teresa

Formerly known as "Last Rites" or "Extreme Unction", the Anointing of the Sick is one of the three repeatable Sacraments in the Catholic Church. The proper time for receiving this holy anointing has arrived when the believer begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age. Each time a Christian falls seriously ill, they may receive the Anointing of the Sick, and after they have received it, if the illness worsens.

  • The belief that the Anointing of the Sick should be received only in the moments before death, is a misconception. The Sacrament is often received:
  • Before surgery, or a serious medical procedure.
  • During a long-term or terminal illness.
  • Experiencing health issues related to old age.

The Anointing of the Sick is a prayer of healing, not only for our physical healing, but also for spiritual health, and for the strength, peace, and courage to bear the burden of illness.

As Catholics, we are asked to see our sufferings as a way of being united with the sufferings of Christ.

The Anointing of the Sick also imparts the forgiveness of sins, and therefore can only be administered by a priest or bishop.