Baptism

Christ Himself ordered His disciples to preach to all nations and to baptize those who accept the message of the Gospel. For Catholics, the Sacrament is the very mark of being a Christian because it brings us into a new life in Christ.

At St. Michael’s, Baptisms take place most Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Please call the Parish Center for dates and to arrange for Preparation Classes.

Welcome to the Waters – Baptism Preparation Program

Welcome to the Waters, a Baptism preparation program, supports new parents raising children in faith. Through interactive participation, parents are provided instruction to facilitate an appreciation and understanding of the Sacrament of Baptism. Welcome to the Waters meets monthly; pre-registration is required (class size is limited). Call the Parish Center (276-0360) to schedule a Baptism date and register for the preparation session.

Eucharist

Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday, shortly before His arrest and trial. He rose and washed the feet of His disciples, as a sign of repentance and preparation, then sat down and instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion. “He took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat, this is My Body’, then He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to His disciples saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins’” (Matthew 26:26-28).

Celebrating the Eucharist weekly at Sunday Mass is central to our lives as Catholic Christians; many participate at Mass daily. Receiving Holy Communion brings us graces that affect us both spiritually and physically. We become more united to Christ through the graces we receive and through the change in our actions that those graces effect. St. Michael’s prepares second graders for First Holy Communion. Please contact the Parish Center for details.

Confirmation

Confirmation is the Sacrament through which we are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with the special strength of the Holy Spirit for witness and service.

At St. Michael’s, Confirmation preparation begins in 7th grade and concludes with the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Fall of 9th Grade.

Reconciliation

Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the faithful celebrate God’s mercy and are absolved for the sins committed against God and neighbor, and reconciled again with the community of the Church. By this Sacrament Christians are freed from sins committed after Baptism.

Reconciliation is celebrated Mondays through Saturdays after the 12:00 Noon Mass and Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m.

Marriage

In the Sacrament of Matrimony a man and a woman are united in a life-long commitment in the service of love and life. Through this holy Sacrament, husband and wife become one, for as the Lord Jesus said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:5, 6).

In keeping with the Common Policy on Marriage Preparation for the Catholic Dioceses of New Jersey, there is a one-year preparation program for Matrimony. Please contact the Parish Center for details.

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick bestows a special grace on a Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age. It conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude.

• Homebound: Please let us know of any parishioners unable to attend church who wish to receive the Sacraments/Reconciliation.
• Hospital Visitation: Privacy regulations require a patient or his/her family to notify the parish of hospitalized parishioners. Please call the Parish Center to arrange a visit.

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. Please contact the Parish Center for information.