The seven sacraments in the Catholic Church are recognized as profound gifts bestowed by God to nourish and guide our spiritual journey. Each sacrament represents a unique encounter with the divine, providing tangible expressions of God's grace at different stages of life. From the initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist, which mark the inception of one's faith journey, to the healing sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick, offering solace and forgiveness, and finally, to the vocation sacraments of Matrimony and Holy Orders, sanctifying the lifelong commitments of love and service—these sacraments serve as conduits for God's transformative presence in the lives of the faithful. Embracing the sacraments nurtures a rich and dynamic relationship with God, fostering spiritual growth and offering continuous opportunities for grace-filled encounters within the Catholic faith community.
The sacrament of Baptism stands as a sacred initiation into the Christian faith, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey with Christ within the Catholic Church. Rooted in the teachings of Jesus, Baptism is a symbolic act of purification and rebirth, where individuals are cleansed of original sin and welcomed into the community of believers. Through the pouring of water and the invocation of the Holy Trinity, Catholics are born anew, becoming members of the Body of Christ. This sacrament is not only a personal commitment but a communal celebration, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the faithful. Baptism is a joyous and transformative moment, setting the foundation for a life lived in accordance with Christian principles and values.
A Baptismal class is held for new and expectant parents to understand the Rite of Baptism and the obligations that parents and godparents take with the Baptism of a child. This class is required of all parents before their child is baptized.
On Baptizing Our Babies
It’s hard work striking the balance between letting our newly 2 year old son, Nicholas, work things out for himself versus knowing when to intervene.
My husband Connor and I are not interested in raising a helpless kid, so we’ll sit back and watch him flip that puzzle piece over and over in his chubby little hands, trying to get it to fit. Many times though, we’re required to make decisions for him. We have to make sure he eats healthy foods, gets to bed on time, and wears a helmet, among a million other things. Although we’re relatively new to being parents, there really are some things that we know best!
I find it helpful to reflect on the sacrament of Baptism through this lens, especially this week as we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. I often talk to parents who choose not to baptize their children as infants because they “want them to be able to make their own choices,” so they’ll “wait until they’re old enough to decide on their own.” On the surface, this argument feels reasonable. We want our children to be independent. But what if we applied this rationale to other areas of their life? They’d be eating candy for every meal, staying up too late, and running into traffic.
We, as parents, have the responsibility to make choices for our minor children, whether that means providing them with the best possible education, the most nutritious food, or regularly contributing to their savings account. Why should we stop short at our Faith? All of those other things, while good and important, are fleeting! Our primary job, and what we have been entrusted by God to do, is to get our kids to Heaven. Eternity.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church weighs in: Through the grace of the sacrament of marriage, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children. Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the "first heralds" for their children. They should associate them from their tenderest years with the life of the Church. A wholesome family life can foster interior dispositions that are a genuine preparation for a living faith and remain a support for it throughout one's life. (CCC 2225)”
Mother Church makes it clear: Have your children baptized as soon as you are able. If it fell by the wayside when the kids were babies, it’s not too late. Make this decision for them!
-Grace Yuellig, Director of Evangelization
The sacrament of First Holy Communion is a significant milestone in the Catholic faith, marking the moment when a child receives the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time. Rooted in the Eucharistic teachings of Jesus, this sacred event signifies a deeper integration into the mysteries of the Catholic Church. Through careful preparation, young Catholics learn about the significance of the Eucharist, the real presence of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine. First Holy Communion is a moment of profound spiritual connection, as children participate in the communal act of receiving the sacrament alongside their faith community. This sacrament not only strengthens the bond with Christ but also emphasizes the importance of ongoing spiritual growth and participation in the sacramental life of the Church.
The preparation for First Communion for the youth of our church usually takes place in second grade. If your child attends St. Teresa of Avila School they will receive instruction during their religion class. If your child attends a public school they will need to attend our Parish School of Religion (PSR) Classes.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church - confessing our sins through the priest so that we hear the words of forgiveness; “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” We receive the grace of God, with fellow believers, giving us strength to love as God loves and sin no more.
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21-23).
Act Of Contrition Prayer: My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
"The Holy Spirit brings the new things of God. He comes to us and makes all things new; he changes us." - Pope Francis
The Sacrament of Confirmation confers special graces of the Holy Spirit upon the person being confirmed, just as such graces were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost. Like Baptism, therefore, it can only be performed once, and Confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists five effects of Confirmation:
When the Catholic Church teaches that marriage between two baptized persons is a sacrament, it is saying that the couple’s relationship expresses in a unique way the unbreakable bond of love between Christ and his people. God calls most men and women to the married vocation. This is a great honor and an immense challenge. To fulfill this marvelous calling we need Christ’s help; we need his Spirit’s power.
Because Christian marriage is a sacrament, the Catholic Church wants couples to be well-prepared. St. Teresa parish offers marriage preparation to help couples develop a better understanding of the sacrament; to evaluate and deepen their readiness to live married life; and to gain insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is one of two ‘Sacraments at the Service of Communion.’ The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes Holy Orders as ‘the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.’ (CCC 1536)
It is a ‘Sacrament of Communion’ because it exists to give structure to the Church, to call the members of the Church to a deeper and life-long conversion of heart to Christ, and to be a sign of the age to come ‘where there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage. (cf. Luke 20:35)
From the beginning, this Sacrament has been reserved for men, chosen from among the people of God to be set aside to be living signs of Christ's love for the world. The conferral of this Sacrament is reserved to the Bishop and is passed on through the laying on of hands, as at the first ordination of St. Stephan and his fellow deacons in the Acts of the Apostles.
For more information regarding vocations please contact Fr. Dan Schmitmeyer, Vocation Director of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, at 513-421-3131, ext. 2890
Seminaries
Cincinnati, Ohio—Athenaeum of Ohio Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary
Columbus, Ohio—The Pontifical College Josephinum
Prayer for Vocations—Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Almighty Father, You have created us for some definite purpose. Grant us the grace to know the path you have planned for us in this life and to respond with a generous, “Yes”. Make our archdiocese, parishes, homes and hearts fruitful ground for Your gift of vocations. May our young people respond to Your call with courage and zeal. Stir among our men a desire and the strength to be good and holy priests. Bless us with consecrated religious and those called to a chaste single life, permanent deacons, and faithful husbands and wives, who are a sign of Christ’s love for His Church. We commend our prayer for vocations to You, Father, through the intercession of Mary our Mother, in the Holy Spirit, through Christ our Lord.
Amen
If you or a loved one require the Sacrament of Anointing after office hours, please dial 513-512-5805.
The anointing of the sick conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude. These graces flow from the atoning death of Jesus Christ, for "this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases’" (Matt. 8:17).
The Sacrament of Anointing is the proper sacrament for those Christians whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age. One seeks the Sacrament for support in the struggle against illness and to seek healing from Christ.
Please contact the parish office to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing for anyone who is seriously ill or anticipating surgery. Each Fall the Sacrament is administered at the weekend Masses for those experiencing ill health due to advanced age, long-term physical or emotional difficulties