THE SACRAMENTS

The seven Sacraments were instituted by Christ, himself, to give grace to mankind. The term "Sacrament" is best defined as
"An outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace". 


Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life.

Following this analogy, the first chapter will expound the three sacraments of Christian initiation; the second, the sacraments of healing; and the third, the sacraments at the service of communion and the mission of the faithful. This order, while not the only one possible, does allow one to see that the sacraments form an organic whole in which each particular sacrament has its own vital place. In this organic whole, the Eucharist occupies a unique place as the "Sacrament of sacraments": "all the other sacraments are ordered to it as to their end."


- The Catechism of the Catholic Church: Pt 2, Sec. 2, 1210-1211

SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION

  • Baptism

    Baptism is the foundation of life in the Church. It is through Baptism that we are freed from original sin, with which we are born, and are reborn as children of God. Baptism is the first sacrament received chronologically, since all other sacraments are dependent on it; Baptism is the gateway to all other sacraments.


    baptism Preparation - ages 0-6


    Baptism Preparation (RCIC) - Ages 7-14


    Baptism Preparation (RCIA) - Ages 15+

  • Confirmation

    Although many receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in their early teenage years, long after they have already received First Holy Eucharist, Confirmation is considered the second of the Sacraments of Initiation. In some writings, Confirmation is considered to be the "perfecting" of the Baptism, in that 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."


    Sacramental Preparation

  • Holy Eucharist

    The Holy Eucharist is the third and final of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. 

     

    "The Holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist."


    - The Catechism of the Catholic Church


    Sacramental Preparation

SACRAMENTS OF HEALING

Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man receives the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life "in earthen vessels," and it remains "hidden with Christ in God." We are still in our "earthly tent," subject to suffering, illness, and death. This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost by sin.

The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.


-The Catechism of the Catholic Church: Pt 2, Sec. 2, Chpt. 2, 1420-1421

  • Reconciliation

    The Sacrament of Reconciliation is Jesus' recognition that we are humans. When we are baptized, our original sin is washed away and we receive the Grace of Christian Initiation. But Jesus knew that many would forget their Baptismal promises and may fall into sin. Since His mercy is infinite, it is natural that He would provide us a means to receive His Grace through the heartfelt and mindful confession of the sins, and a genuine want for the satisfaction of forgiveness through penance.


    Sacramental Preparation

  • Anointing of the Sick

    The Sacrament of Anointing the Sick is conferred by Priests, upon all who are experiencing illness, effects of aging, injury and especially those preparing to die.


    If you, or someone you care for, would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, please contact the parish office at 780.466.7576 to speak with a priest.

SACRAMENTS OF SERVICE

Holy Orders and Matrimony are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God.


- The Catechism of the Catholic Church: Pt 2, Sec. 2, Chpt. 3, 1534

  • MATRIMONY

    "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."


    -The Catechism of the Catholic Church: Pt 2, Sec. 2, Chpt. 3, Article 7, 1601


    Preparing for Marriage at Corpus Christi

  • hOLY oRDERS

    "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."


    - The Catechism of the Catholic Church: Pt 2, Sec. 2, Chpt. 3, Article 6, 1536


    Click here to learn more about holy orders and consecrated life.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION AT CORPUS CHRISTI

BAPTISM OF INFANTS


For children under 7 years of age

Sacramental preparation for infant Baptism is offered monthly, with the exception of Lent and Advent.


Baptism Preparation Schedule - for Parents & Sponsors

  • Every fourth Tuesday at 7:00 pm (e.g. April 23, May 28, June 25, July 23, etc.)
  • There are no Baptism Preparation sessions during Lent or Advent.

Baptism Celebration Schedule

  • Every second and third Sunday at 1:00 pm (e.g. April 14, 21, May 12, 19, June 9, 16, July 14, 21, etc.)
  • There are no Baptism Celebrations during Lent or Advent.

Registration Requirements

To book an appointment to register your child for Baptism, contact Deacon Arden at 780.466.7576 or Arden.Playford@caedm.ca

The parents of the child will be asked to provide:

  1. Copy of the child's Birth Certificate, showing proof of parentage
  2. The Baptismal dates of the parents of the child
  3. Signatures of both parents listed on the birth certificate, witnessed by Deacon Arden
  4. Names of up to two (2) sponsors/Godparents who meet the requirements (practicing Catholics over the age of 16 who have received the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Eucharist and Confirmation.)


  Registration Form:  Baptism of a Child Form — Appendix 603A 

  Deacon Arden will complete this registration form together with you during your meeting. It is no necessary to complete this in advance.

  If you do complete this form in advance, remember to leave the signature section blank, as Deacon Arden will need to witness your signatures.


There are no baptisms during the seasons of Lent and Advent.

FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST HOLY EUCHARIST

For baptised children, Grade 3 and up

At Corpus Christi, we typically hold sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist twice per year; once in the Spring, and once in the Fall. Consider having your child receive both of these sacraments together.


Schedule for Preparation & Sacraments


Registration Requirements

  1. Complete the following three (3) forms. - Printed copies are available at the parish office.
  2. Bring a copy of your child's baptismal certificate. - If you bring the original certificate, we are happy to make a copy for you.
  3. Bring $20* for each sacramental preparation your child will be attending, for the books and materials; $40 for both sacraments.
    * Cash or Cheque only.

Forms

CONFIRMATION

For baptised children who have received their First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist; Grade 6 and up

Sacramental Preparation for Confirmation is typically offered once each year.


Schedule for Preparation & Sacraments

           Registration for Confirmation is closed for 2024. Once details are available for 2025, the schedule will be available here.


Registration Requirements

  1. Complete the following three (3) forms, which are also available at the parish office. 
  2. Bring a copy of your child's baptismal certificate.
  3. $50 for materials (cash or cheque only).

Forms

Confirmation Candidates will be required to complete 10 service hours. A Service Hours Record sheet will be provided on the first day of the program, along with the deadline for submission.


For more information, please contact the parish office at 780.466.7576.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

These rites are intended for:

  • Individuals who have not yet received the sacrament of Baptism, who are of catechetical age (seven years or over), or
  • Individuals validly baptized in another ecclesial community who seek initiation into the Catholic Church.

If you would like to learn more, or register for one of these programs, please contact the parish office at 780.466.7576, or email as indicated below.


Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) - Ages 14+                Contact Deacon Gem              Gem.Mella@caedm.ca


Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) - Ages 7 to 14      Contact Sister Lilia                   Lilia.Semeniego@caedm.ca

MARRIAGE

Six months prior to your wedding date, plan to meet with our pastor, Father Shimit. Shimit.AbrahamCFIC@caedm.ca


Our parish does not offer Marriage Preparation classes at this time.