Sacraments

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Baptism is the first sacrament in the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, & Confirmation).  Baptism joyfully celebrates your child being baptized into the Body of Christ and welcomes your child as a new member of the faith community.  In preparation for this sacrament, parents may need to attend a Baptism Preparation Class prior to the baptismal ceremony.  Please contact Christy Eller, Office Manager, at christy@stmaryspylesville.org or 410-879-4015 ext. 20 if you are interested in having your child baptized.    

Baptisms are celebrated the 2nd Saturday @ 12:30 PM and 4th Sunday @ 11:45 AM of each month.   

We look forward to being part of this faith journey with you!  For more information on having your child baptized at St. Mary's click here.

Choosing Godparents for Baptism:
Godparents serve by giving witness to their faith and take on a special interest in the spiritual life of the child.  The most important consideration in choosing Godparents is one of faith, a Christian faith.  Guidelines state that only one Godparent is needed; however, most parents choose a Godmother and a Godfather.  One Godparent must be a practicing Catholic and at least 16 years of age.  The other Godparent, or Christian witness, must be Christian. 

     For information on Choosing Godparents, click here

FIRST EUCHARIST & RECONCILATION

The Eucharist is indeed a mystery.  It is a sign and source of unity and a privileged moment of thanksgiving.  It is an experience of Jesus' life-giving sacrifice and a treasured moment of His real presence. The Eucharist is all these things and more.  It is an inexhaustibly rich mystery of our faith, and as the National Catechetical Directory declares, "The center and heart of Christian Life".

The children prepare for first celebration of sacraments (Eucharist & Reconciliation) at some point during the elementary years.  We follow the guidelines an regulations for the Archdiocese of Baltimore when determining readiness and eligibility.  For more information and to register contact the Sacramental Coordinator, Kathy Ayers @ 410-836-1141.

CONFIRMATION

Brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace.  It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us.  Confirmation is a sealing with the gift of the Holy Spirit; an empowering which "conforms believers more perfectly to Christ and strengthens them to bear witness to Christ for the building up of His body in faith and love."  Confirmation..."gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by work and action as true witness to Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross." (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1303).

The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated during the high school years depending on the readiness of the young person.   Any teenager who is committed to the tenets of our faith and would like to receive the sacrament of Confirmation needs to register for the program and compete all the requirements.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

According to Archdiocesan policy, couples are required to make an appointment with a priest or deacon of the parish at least 6 months in advance of the date they plan to celebrate their wedding.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK

Available after all of the weekend masses and at other times by appointment. This Sacrament is intended for those who are ill or infirm. Parishioners planning to enter the hospital are encouraged to receive this Sacrament prior to admission. Parish members visit hospitalized or homebound parishioners when notified of their illness. please be aware that the hospital will not inform us

Please call the Rectory if you would like Communion brought to a sick member of your family.

HOLY ORDERS

The Sacrament of Holy Orders in the Catholic Church includes three orders: bishop, priest, and deacon. In the phrase "Holy Orders", the word "holy" simply means "set apart for some purpose." The word "order" designates an established civil body or corporation with a hierarchy, and ordination means legal incorporation into an order. In context, therefore, a group with a hierarchical structure that is set apart for ministry in the Church.

For Catholics, the church views typically that in the last year of seminary training a man will be ordained to the "transitional diaconate." This distinguishes men bound for priesthood from those who have entered the "permanent diaconate" and do not intend to seek ordination as a priest. Deacons, whether transitional or permanent, receive faculties to preach, to perform baptisms, and to witness marriages. They may assist at the Eucharist or the Mass, but are not the ministers of the Eucharist. After six months or more as a transitional deacon, a man will be ordained to the priesthood. Priests are able to preach, perform baptisms, witness marriages, hear confessions and give absolutions, anoint the sick, and celebrate the Eucharist or the Mass. Some priests are later chosen to be bishops; bishops may ordain priests, deacons, and bishops.

For more information visit: 

https://www.archbalt.org/clergy-personnel-division/vocations/