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Sacraments “The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify [men] people, to
build up the body of Christ, and finally, to give worship to God. Because
they are signs they also instruct. They not only presuppose faith, but
by words and objects they also nourish, strengthen, and express it;
that is why they are called “sacraments of faith.” They
do indeed impart grace, but, in addition, the very act of celebrating
them disposes the faithful most effectively to receive this grace in
a fruitful manner, to worship God duly, and to practice charity. St. John the Baptist Catholic Community places a special emphasis on the full understanding of the sacramental signs and on the congregation’s full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations. Therefore we require proper preparation for each sacrament on every age level and we encourage their communal celebration within the Eucharist. Our sacramental preparation programs are parallel and in addition to the ongoing religious formation and they aim to involve the entire family. Confirmation Although the sealing of the Spirit is a preparation for the witness of a mature Christian life, it is important to remember that confirmation is not a rite of passage, or a mark of coming of age. Confirmation is the completion of the Christian initiation, the completion of Baptism. In the Archdiocese of Washington baptized Catholics receive Confirmation
in the period of their 7th or 8th grade. Some people, however, for different
reasons seek Confirmation at a later age in their life. There are two
different preparation programs for the different age groups. Marriage “ Marriage is a sacrament alive with grace and blessings. … For those entering the covenant of marriage, the words of consent join the couple into a community of persons united by love through their will. The minister of this sacrament is the couple. The focus is not on what the minister does but on who the minister is. Everything about the married persons changes and becomes sacramental in nature. The simple actions they perform in their lives become a profound means for sacramental grace to enter into the world. As with all sacraments, Marriage is a living sign of Christ’s presence, not just a symbol of it. It is an ongoing, day by day, way of living.” (Christian Married Life) • Preparation for the Liturgical Celebration of the Sacrament The Marriage Preparation program at SJB has three components: 2. Premarital Counseling 3. Engaged Encounter/ Marriage Preparation Series To register for an Engaged Encounter weekend go their
website: To register for the SJB Marriage Preparation Series
contact the coordinator at 301-622-1122. RCIA – Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults
The RCIA process is a spiritual journey of the candidates together
with their godparents, sponsors, and other parishioners, which helps
them grow in their faith, build and live as a community and discern
God’s call in their lives. Inquirers are welcome at any Inquiry session without previous notice.
At some point, however, an intake interview is necessary in order to
find the best arrangement for each individual. You can contact the coordinator
by phone 301-622-1122. Outline of the Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Period of Inquiry - Precatechumenate/Evangelization - a time of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of planting the seeds of faith - an open forum of discussion and questions about Catholic Christian faith - a period of self-exploration open to everyone with no commitment necessary Rite of Acceptance & Welcoming - the Church accepts the unbaptized into the Order of Catechumens and welcomes the baptized candidates seeking full communion with the Catholic Church Period of Catechumenate/Catechesis - nurturing the seeds of faith, catechumens and candidates celebrate the Liturgy of the Word on Sundays - focuses on Scripture reflection and study of Church teachings - length depends on personal readiness to proceed to the Sacraments of Initiation Rite of Election & the Call to Continuing Conversion (First Sunday of Lent) - responding to God's call, the catechumens and candidates express their desire and readiness to receive the Sacraments - through the bishop, the Church recognizes God's elect and those called to continuing conversion Period of Purification and Enlightenment (Lenten Season - a time of intense preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation - together with the parish community, the elect and candidates focus on conversion and examine their lives in the light of the Gospel Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) at Easter Vigil - the elect and candidates become full members of the Church, the Body of Christ Period of Mystagogy - a time of growth into the mysteries of faith and integration into parish life - full participation in the life of the Church and its mission for justice and peace
Schedule of RCIA events Catechumenate
Their godparents (for each a godmother or godfather, or both0 accompany
the candidates on the day of election, at the celebration of the sacraments
of initiation, and during the period of mystagogy. Godparents are persons
chosen by the candidates on the basis of example, good qualities, and
friendship, delegated by the local Christian community, and approved
by the priest. It is the responsibility of godparents to show the candidates
how to practice the Gospel in personal and social life, to sustain the
candidates in moments of hesitancy and anxiety, to bear witness, and
to guide the candidates’ progress in the baptismal life. Chosen
before the candidates’ election, godparents fulfill this office
publicly from the day of the rite of election, when they give testimony
to the community about the candidates. They continue to be important
during the time after reception of the sacraments when the newly baptized
need to be assisted so that they remain true to their baptismal promises.” Candidates can choose their sponsors and/or godparents from among family members or friends or from among the RCIA Team members. Sponsors and godparents are asked to join the candidates on their RCIA journey and to attend with them the different functions, and meetings throughout the entire formation period.
Sharing the RCIA Experience (what
former participants have said about it)
"Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock,
and the door will be opened for you.
Duties: Facilitate the process of initiating new members into our Catholic community of faith through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Team duties include: catechist, sponsor formation, hospitality, curriculum planning, faith sharing, small group facilitation, organizing and facilitating retreat days. Time: General requirement for each team member: monthly team meeting; yearly team retreat on a weekend. In addition team members can decide their level of commitment choosing from among the following: inquiry meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday nights; faith sharing sessions after dismissal from mass and catechetical sessions on Sundays; days of retreat; preparation meetings or sponsors. Special Skills: Requires people of faith and prayer with a strong sense of community, witnesses to the Gospel, good listeners, welcoming presence, some facilitation skills, knowledge of Catholic teaching. Training is available and recommended. If you would like to join the Team, contact the coordinator at 301 622 1122.
• Links to more about RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick Are there sick people among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church and let the priests pray over them anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick persons and the Lord will raise them up. If they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them (James 5: 14-15). The Catholic Church professes and teaches that the anointing of the sick is one of the seven Sacraments of the New Testament, that was instituted by Christ our Lord, intimated in Mark (6:13) and through James, the apostle and brother of the Lord, recommended to the faithful and made known. The purpose of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is to confer a special grace on Christians who are being tried by illness and old age and are in danger of death. A Christian may receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick any time he or she falls into serious illness and again if the illness worsens. The Anointing of the Sick is a liturgical and communal celebration. It can take place in a family's home, a hospital or Church, for a single sick person or in a whole group of sick persons. It is very fitting to celebrate it within the Eucharist, the memorial of the Lord's Passover. The celebration of the Sacrament includes a Penitential Rite and reception of the Holy Eucharist. As the Sacrament of Christ's Passover, the Holy Eucharist should always be the last Sacrament of the earthly journey, the "viaticum" for "passing over" to eternal life. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 1517) Priests (presbyters and bishops) are the ministers of the celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The celebration begins with the Liturgy of the Word which awakens the faith of the sick person and of the community to ask the Lord for the strength of his Spirit. The celebration continues with the Liturgy of the Anointing. It includes the following principal elements: the priest, in silence, lays hands on the sick person, prays over the sick person in the faith of the Church (this is the epiclesis proper to the sacrament), and with oil blessed by the bishop, first anoints the sick person?s forehead using these words, Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit, and then the hands, May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up. The special grace of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as it effects: the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his or her own good and that of the whole Church; the strengthening, peace and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance; the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his or her soul; the preparation for passing over to eternal life. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1532) If you or your loved one needs the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick,
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