SACRAMENTS
BAPTISM. The Church teaches that "Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),4 and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: 'Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.'" (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1213). To learn more about Baptism, click here.
Parents wishing to present their children for Infant Baptism participate in an orientation session conducted here at the Church. Please call the Parish Office for details, and to set up an appointment.
Parents wishing to present their children for Infant Baptism participate in an orientation session conducted here at the Church. Please call the Parish Office for details, and to set up an appointment.
CONFIRMATION. The Church teaches that "[B]y the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed" (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1285). To learn more about Confirmation, click here.
For more information about receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, and our preparation program conducted here at the Immaculate Conception Parish, please call the Parish Office.
For more information about receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, and our preparation program conducted here at the Immaculate Conception Parish, please call the Parish Office.
THE EUCHARIST (Holy Communion). The Church teaches that "At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet 'in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us" (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1323). To learn more about the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, click here.
For more information about receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist, specifically regarding children making their First Holy Communion, please call the Parish Office.
For more information about receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist, specifically regarding children making their First Holy Communion, please call the Parish Office.
PENANCE (also called CONFESSION or RECONCILIATION). The Church teaches that "Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion" (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1422). To learn more about the Sacrament of Penance (Confession), click here.
The Sacrament of Penance (Confession) is part of the preparation program for children preparing to receive their First Holy Communion, in this regard please call the Parish Office for more information. In a more general sense, Confessions are available at Immaculate Conception on a regular basis (see Parish Mass Schedule for information).
How does one go to Confession? Click here to find out.
What does one do to prepare for Confession? Click here to find out.
The Sacrament of Penance (Confession) is part of the preparation program for children preparing to receive their First Holy Communion, in this regard please call the Parish Office for more information. In a more general sense, Confessions are available at Immaculate Conception on a regular basis (see Parish Mass Schedule for information).
How does one go to Confession? Click here to find out.
What does one do to prepare for Confession? Click here to find out.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK (formerly called EXTREME UNCTION). The Church teaches that "By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1499). To learn more about the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, click here.
To receive the Sacrament of Anointing, a Catholic person must be over the age of seven, and facing serious illness, To arrange to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, one should call the parish office. A person (or family caregiver) should not wait until a person is near death to seek the Sacrament. (Additionally, our extraordinary minister of Holy Communion bring Holy Communion to those unable to come to Mass for any length of time. Please call the parish office to arrange for these services.)
To receive the Sacrament of Anointing, a Catholic person must be over the age of seven, and facing serious illness, To arrange to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, one should call the parish office. A person (or family caregiver) should not wait until a person is near death to seek the Sacrament. (Additionally, our extraordinary minister of Holy Communion bring Holy Communion to those unable to come to Mass for any length of time. Please call the parish office to arrange for these services.)
HOLY ORDERS. The Church teaches that "Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate." (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1536). To learn more about the Sacrament of Holy Orders, click here.
Holy Orders is a sacrament to which one is called by God, not by mere preference or desire. If a man feels called to serve as a Priest or a Deacon in the Church, he should contact one of the Priests of the Parish to explore that call, or he may contact the Diocese of Wilmington's Office of Vocations..
Holy Orders is a sacrament to which one is called by God, not by mere preference or desire. If a man feels called to serve as a Priest or a Deacon in the Church, he should contact one of the Priests of the Parish to explore that call, or he may contact the Diocese of Wilmington's Office of Vocations..
MATRIMONY (Marriage). The Church teaches that "The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1601). To learn more about the Sacrament of Matrimony, click here.
Those contemplating Marriage should contact the Parish Office to arrange to meet with one of the Priests or Deacons for preparation. The Diocese of Wilmington encourages one full year of preparation and reflection before receiving the Sacrament of Marriage. The Parish will not reserve a date for the Rite of Marriage until you have met with one of our Priests (or Deacons).
Those contemplating Marriage should contact the Parish Office to arrange to meet with one of the Priests or Deacons for preparation. The Diocese of Wilmington encourages one full year of preparation and reflection before receiving the Sacrament of Marriage. The Parish will not reserve a date for the Rite of Marriage until you have met with one of our Priests (or Deacons).
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process in which adults and children of catechetical age join the Catholic Church receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, as well those who need to be received into the Church from other faith. Please contact Deacon James M. Tormey, Sr., our R.C.I.A. Coordinator, for details at 302-697-2049.