|
|
Sacraments are "powers that comes forth" from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1116) |
The sacraments of Christian Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist - lay the foundations of every Christian life. "The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian Initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity." |
Baptism "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit." (John 3:5) Baptism is a sacrament that brings us into a new life in union with Christ and the Catholic Christian community and into the reign of God. Baptized Christians make the reign of God a continual, living reality on earth. Required baptismal preparation classes are held on the first Sunday of most months at 12:30 p.m. in the church hall. Date and time of the baptism is arranged at this time. Godparents are required to have a certificate of good standing from their parish church. Please call the parish office in advance to register for the baptism session. |
Confirmation "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) Confirmation emphasizes the full presence of the Holy Spirit and the unity of the Church in our lives. Confirmation calls us to live a Christian life in a responsible manner. Preparation for Confirmation: This sacrament is celebrated with students in the Spring of their 8th grade year. Preparation includes the 8 years of CCD or catholic school and special events that allow these young teens to understand the gifts of the Holy Spirit. |
Eucharist "What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?" (Psalm 116:12) The Eucharistic celebration is the source and summit of all Christian life. In the Eucharist, we find strength and encouragement for living a Christian life. All our endeavors, prayers, and activities move toward the celebration of the Eucharist and flow from it. The mode of Christ's presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as "the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend." Preparing to receive the Eucharist: We should prayerfully recollect ourselves prior to coming to Mass, allow ourselves to prepare our minds and hearts for the liturgy. Maintain reverent silence so that we are able to pray before Mass begins and ensure that we are at peace within ourselves and with others. Such recollection helps to eliminate distractions and allows us to focus more easily on the great mystery of the Eucharistic celebration. A prayerful and reflective reading of the Scripture selections for the Mass of the day will help make our hearts and minds ready to receive God's Word more deeply. |
Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man receives the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life "in earthen vessels," and it remains "hidden with Christ in God." We are still in our "earthly tent," subject to suffering, illness, and death. This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost by sin. |
Penance and Reconciliation Paul writes, "…in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and the world to himself, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us." (2 Corinthians 5:19) Reconciliation is a sacrament by which a person celebrates God's forgiving love, makes peace with the community, receives help to live a better life and draws closer to God. The human heart is heavy and hardened. God must give man a new heart. Conversion is first of all a work of the grace of God who makes our hearts return to him: "Restore us to thyself, O LORD, that we may be restored!" God gives us the strength to begin anew. It is in discovering the greatness of God's love that our heart is shaken by the horror and weight of sin and begins to fear offending God by sin and being separated from him. The human heart is converted by looking upon him whom our sins have pierced. Preparation for Penance - Prepare yourself with prayer and by honestly examining your conscience (An Examination of Conscience) in the light of God's love and your baptismal calling to live as a follower of Christ. Express your contrition in a prayer to God (Act of Contrition). |
Anointing of the Sick "Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." (Jas 5:14-15) The Sacrament of Anointing demonstrates the abiding presence of Christ and the church, who offer hope and strength in time of sickness. Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude. Every illness can make us glimpse death. Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God. It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern in his life what is not essential so that he can turn toward that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him. The priest makes a judgment regarding the health of a person being seriously impaired based on the spiritual and physical condition of the person. A special parish celebration of the Anointing of the Sick is offered in October each year during Mass. |
Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1534) |
Matrimony "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." (Genesis 1:27-28) As a sacrament, marriage is an act of worship, and expression of faith, a sign of the Church's unity, and a mode of Christ's presence. The mutual sacrifice and devotion of husband and wife is a true picture of Christ's sanctifying sacrifice and devotion to His Church symbolized by the cross. The circle, because it has no beginning or end, is symbolic of eternity. Entwined, the rings signify the joining together of two lives to create one. St. Basil Parish offers pre-marriage preparation for any couple marrying in a parish of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Please contact the parish office at least six months prior to your intended date of marriage to discuss your pre-marriage formation, and plan your wedding liturgy. |
Holy Orders "The Lord said clearly that concern for his flock was proof of love for him."( John 21:15-17) The Ordained ministry is a special call to the service of worship, celebration and the word of God. The sacrament of Holy Orders communicates a "sacred power" which is none other than that of Christ. The exercise of this authority must therefore be measured against the model of Christ, who by love made himself the least and the servant of all. In the office of the apostles there is one aspect that cannot be transmitted: to be the chosen witnesses of the Lord's Resurrection and so the foundation stones of the Church. But their office also has a permanent aspect. Christ promised to remain with them always. The divine mission entrusted by Jesus to them "will continue to the end of time, since the Gospel they handed on is the lasting source of all life for the Church. Therefore, . . . the apostles took care to appoint successors. For information about becoming a priest (or entering Religious Life) contact the Vocations Director at the Diocese of Pittsburgh ( http://www.pghpriest.com) or contact the parish office at 412-882-9763. |
I. Sacraments of Initiation Baptism Confirmation Eucharist |
Welcome to St. Basil Catholic Parish |
Honoring our Past - Beginning our Future! |
The Seven Sacraments |
II. Sacraments of Healing Penance and Reconcilliation Anointing of the Sick |
III. Sacraments of the Service of Communion Matrimony Holy Orders |
I. Sacraments of Initiation |
II. Sacraments of Healing |
III. Sacraments of the Service of Communion |
1735 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15210, 412-882-9763 Send comments or questions to stbasilparish@comcast.net |