Sacramental Information

The Roman Catholic Church acknowledges seven sacraments which have been instituted by Christ: Baptism, Reconciliation, the Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick. Each of these sacraments are opportunities for the person receiving the sacrament to encounter God and to receive His grace in his/her life. In receiving a sacrament, a person should be well-prepared, that is, approaching the sacrament with an understanding of what it is about and to state that s/he is in a right relationship with God. Since sacraments are administered, generally by a bishop, priest or deacon, there is a ready acknowledgement that a sacrament is conferred by another human being who also struggles with his own sinfulness. The Church always teaches that it is Christ who gives the sacrament while the human minister simply administers it. The action of the sacrament by far supersedes the one who shares it with another.