Baptism
Baptism is the first step leading to full membership in the church. The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated most Sundays at 1:30 PM in the Upper Church. Please make arrangements to meet with one of the parish priest at least one month prior to the Baptism.
Pre-Jordan Program
Since parents are seen as their child’s primary teachers, the Pre-Jordan Program seeks to offer parents both the support of the community and an opportunity for reassessing their own faith and responsibilities.After meeting with a priest and prior to their child’s Baptism, parents are required to attend this session. Godparents are also strongly encouraged to attend. These gatherings are held in the Rectory Meeting Room on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM.
Godparents
A candidate for Baptism must have at least one sponsor, or Godparent. Sponsors and parents present the infant for Baptism. The role of the sponsor is to help the baptized person to lead a Christian life and to fulfill the obligations connected with it. This is done especially by example. The Church has established the following requirements for sponsors (Godparents):
1. The Godparent cannot be the mother or father of the one to be baptized.
2. The Godparent must be at least 16 years of age, a Catholic who has received the Holy Eucharist has been confirmed. If married, he/she must be validly married in the Church and must not be cohabitating.
3. Athough one Godparent is required, there can be two Godparents: a man and a woman.
4. Non-Christians cannot be Godparents, but a non-Catholic Christian can serve as a Witness to the Baptism.
Becoming a Godparent or Sponsor? You Will Need a Letter of Eligibility:
A letter from your parish is required to become a Godparent for Baptism or a Sponsor for Confirmation. This letter indicates you are a practicing Catholic in good standing. It is therefore necessary to be a registered member of the parish in order to establish eligibility. All Godparents and Sponsors, even if they are from Maternity B.V.M. Church, must present a letter of eligibility issued by their parish.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)
R.C.I.A. is a process and method by which people become members of the Catholic Church. It is a gradual process designed to provide a richer and fuller faith and God experience for the participants. With God’s help, the participants are strengthened spiritually, and the process culminates with the reception of the initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Anyone who wishes to become a member of the Catholic Church or any baptized Catholic who has not received the sacraments of First Eucharist or Confirmation is invited to contact the rectory. Also any parishioner who would like to be a member of the R.C.I.A. team is asked to call the rectory for further information.
Holy Eucharist/First Penance
Children of the Parish, including those enrolled in the third grade of the Parish School, PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) and Private Catholic Academies, receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation (usually in the Fall) and First Eucharist (Spring) of each year. Children in Private Catholic Academies should contact the Parish School. Prior to receiving a sacrament, children in PREP must be in the program at least two years or come from a Catholic School or another PREP.
Confirmation
Children of the Parish, including those enrolled in the sixth grade of the Parish School and PREP, are invited to participate in a program of preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Prior to receiving the Sacrament, children in PREP must be in the program for at least two years or come from a Catholic School or another PREP. Parents of students from Private Catholic Academies and students in Grades 7 through 12 who have not as yet been confirmed, please contact the Parish School. Adults wishing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation must be involved in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Program and are asked to please contact the Rectory.
Sponsors for Confirmation
Qualifications to be a Sponsor at Confirmation and to receive a Letter of Eligibility are the same as those of a Catholic Godparent at Baptism (see section under Baptism). Candidates for Confirmation choose a Sponsor other than a Parent.
Letter of Eligibility:
Sponsors from parishes other than Maternity B.V.M. are requested to present a certificate of eligibility issued by their parish. Otherwise, sponsor must be a registered parishioner of Maternity B.V.M. Parish.
Matrimony
Couples planning to marry in Maternity B.V.M. Church should notify one of the parish priests as early as possible, and no less than six months prior to the desired wedding date so that appropriate assistance in marriage preparation may be provided. Weddings are normally scheduled on Saturdays at 10 AM, 12 Noon or 2 PM either in the Main Church or Old Church. Please be sure to arrange a date and time with the Priest before making any commitment for your Reception. Visiting priests are welcome to officiate, but you must still contact one of the parish priests to officially set the parish date.
Pre-Cana Instructions
Each couple is required to attend a Pre-Cana Program of Marriage Preparation. Our parish offers Pre-Cana Sessions in the Fall and Spring. The program consists of a full Saturday session held in the Parish Hall ending with attendance at the 4:30 p.m. Mass. By offering presentations in Communications, Conflict Resolutions, Finances, Intimacy and the importance of the Sacrament of Marriage, we are hopeful that our young B.V.M. couples will develop marriages that are stable, loving and permanent. Registration forms can be obtained at the Rectory. The Archdiocese conducts regional programs. Another option is participation in an “Engaged Encounter” weekend. For more information, contact the rectory or the Archdiocesan Family Life Office at (610) 660-9002.
Anointing of the Sick/Visitation of the Sick:
The Sacrament is given to seriously ill Catholics by calling the Rectory and arranging for this by appointment or whenever there is an emergency. Parishioners scheduled to undergo surgery should contact one of the priests so that they may to be anointed before their medical procedure. This can also be done at Church when you come to Mass.
Visitation of Local Nursing Homes
Chapel Manor, Oakwood Health & Rehab Center, Paul’s Run Retirement Center and Harmony Place at Parke Ridge are visited once a month by a parish priest and weekly by Eucharistic Ministers.
Visitation of the Sick
Please notify the rectory if you, or anyone in your family, have been hospitalized or confined at home due to sickness, infirmity or age so that they may be visited. Our homebound are visited once a month by a priest and weekly by a Eucharistic Minister. While a parishioner is in a hospital, to assure a patient’s quick access to the sacraments, the hospital should be notified that the patient is a Catholic and would like to see a priest. Each hospital is attended by priests of a local parish unless there is a chaplain assigned to the hospital. Also notify the rectory to have the person remembered in the prayers of the parish by adding the name to the sick list published in the weekly church bulletin.
Christian Burial
At the time of a death in the family, please call the rectory for the prayers and support of the parish community. The Funeral Director assists in the preparations for the Funeral Mass working together with the priests and the parish staff. Whenever possible, a member of the parish staff will work with the family to prepare the Funeral Liturgy. The family of the deceased is given the opportunity to participate in preparing the Funeral Mass by choosing readings, lectors, hymns and other aspects of the funeral rites. Funerals are normally celebrated in the Parish Church of the deceased. However, any member of the faithful, or those responsible for the deceased person’s funeral, may choose another church; this requires the consent of the Pastor of that Church and notification to the Pastor of the deceased’s parish.
Cremation
The Church permits cremation provided that it is not chosen as a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body. The Church prefers that the Funeral Liturgy take place in the presence of the body of the deceased prior to its cremation. However, permission can granted, on a case-by-case basis, for the cremains to be brought into Church for the Funeral Liturgy. It is required that cremated remains be buried or entombed in a cemetery or mausoleum. A Catholic cemetery is considered a sacred place, and supports our belief in the Resurrection of the body and the Communion of Saints. It is only by way of exception, therefore, that Catholics are buried in an non-sectarian cemetery.
Memorial Fund
Donations may be made in memory of family, friends, or neighbors. Funds will be used to purchase Church articles, vestments, etc. as needed. Call the rectory.
Holy Orders
Those who think they have a calling to the Priesthood may contact one of the Parish Priests or call directly to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.