The Seven Sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing for Healing, Matrimony, and Holy Orders) as the sure means of grace instituted by Christ for our salvation. We do not restrict access to the Sacraments as long as the requestor has been properly prepared.
The Seven Sacraments are:
I. Baptism
The sacrament of Baptism is the beginning of life—supernatural life. When the sacrament of Baptism is administered, sin is cleansed as God becomes present in the soul, and the soul is caught up in that sharing of God’s own life, which we call sanctifying grace. You do not need to be a member of the parish to have your child Baptized.
II. Reconciliation (Confession)
The sacrament of Reconciliation is a sacrament in which the priest, as the agent of God, forgives sins committed after Baptism, when the sinner is heartily sorry for them, sincerely confesses them, and is willing to make satisfaction for them. No preparation is needed the priest can guide you through the process. Open to all!
III. Eucharist (Communion)
The Holy Eucharist is both a sacrifice and a sacrament. As a sacrifice, the Holy Eucharist is the Mass. The Mass is that divine action in which Jesus, through the agency of the human priest, changes the bread and wine into His own Body and Blood and continues through time the offering which He made to God on Calvary—the offering of Himself for all people. The act by which we receive the Holy Eucharist is called Holy Communion. Holy Communion is open to all Christians who reverently wish to receive. We do offer First Communion Classes for children around the age of 7. We ask that all children attend the class before receiving Communion.
IV. Confirmation
While Confirmation is a distinct and complete sacrament in its own right, its purpose is to perfect in us what was begun in Baptism. It is the moment when the individual is confirmed as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Its effects are to:
V. Marriage
Marriage is the Sacrament of lifelong, loving commitment of two people. Up to the time of Christ, marriage, although a sacred union, was still only a civil contract between a man and a woman. Jesus, however, took this contract, this exchange of marital consent between man and woman, and made the contract a conveyor of grace. He made marriage a sacrament, the sacrament of Matrimony among Christians. In 2002 the General Synod of the United American Catholic Church recognized and affirmed the Sacramental Nature of same-sex marriage.
VI. Holy Orders
The sacrament of Holy Orders creates a deacon, priest, or even another Bishop. There are two notable ways in which the sacrament of Holy Orders differs from the other sacraments. One is the fact that Holy Orders can be administered only by a bishop. Only a bishop has the power to ordain. An ordinary deacon or priest cannot confer Holy Orders onto another. The second way in which Holy Orders differ from other sacraments is that Holy Orders are not received all at once. The United American Catholic Church's ordination is open to married, single, male, and female candidates.
VII. Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction)
The Anointing of the Sick is a remarkable sign of God’s great love for us. In his merciful efforts to bring us safely to himself in heaven, God seems to have gone to the very limit. The purpose of the sacrament is “the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age.” Generally, the parish offers monthly Anoint and Prayer at mass. Those in special need or in the hospital can arrange for a priest to visit them by contacting the parish office. All are welcome to receive Anointing for Healing.