Sacraments — Overview
The Sacraments are actions of Christ and of the Church, they are signs and means by which faith is expressed and strengthened, worship is offered to God and our sanctification is brought about. (Code of Canon Law, 840)
Jesus instituted the Sacraments and he entrusted them to the Church.
The names of the Seven Sacraments, which Jesus left us, are:
Every Sacrament has its own "matter' and 'form" which make up the ceremony. "Matter" refers to what is used as the sign, for example bread and wine in the Holy Eucharist. "Form" is the words used, for example, "I absolve you from your sins" in Confession.
Each Sacrament gives us Sanctifying Grace, which is an increase of Faith, Hope and Charity - these are traditionally known as the Theological Virtues. Sanctifying Grace is first received at Baptism where Original Sin is washed away and we are made adopted sons and daughters of God, like Jesus, and we become members of the Catholic Church. Only serious sin can remove Sanctifying Grace from our souls and this can be restored again to us through the Sacrament of Confession.
Catholics try to receive the Sacraments as often as possible because the Sacraments have the ability to sanctify and strengthen us. When we receive the Sacraments and live in the State of Grace, we are laying up for our selves treasure in heaven and becoming more like Christ on earth.
Norms for Determining the Parish in which your child is to receive instruction and reception of the Sacraments
- Children who are regularly attending Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish are to receive both their instruction and their Sacraments at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
- Children who live within the boundaries of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish but are in the regular habit of attending and participating in another parish are to receive their instruction and their Sacraments in the parish they regularly attend.
- Children who are not in the habit of attending Church regularly and who live within the boundaries of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish are to receive both their instruction and Sacraments at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. If you live within the boundaries of some other parish then it is to this other parish that you must go for instruction and the celebration of the Sacraments.
- If you are not in the habit of attending Church regularly and you live in the boundaries of a parish other than Our Lady of Perpetual Help, but you would like your child to receive their instruction and Sacraments at Our Lady of Perpetual Help because your child attends OLPH School, you will need to get a letter of permission from the pastor of the parish within whose boundaries you live.