The Sacraments
Celebrating
the Sacramental Life
People often need signs and symbols to express what cannot be said in words. The Church uses signs and symbols to help convey the mystery of God and to help us grow in faith. St. Augustine described the Sacraments as outward, visible signs of inward, invisible grace.
Catholic Christians believe the Sacraments are much more than rituals. Through the Sacraments, God shares His grace in a special way. He communicates His love to us and leads us to express that love through our daily walk with Him.
the Sacramental Life
People often need signs and symbols to express what cannot be said in words. The Church uses signs and symbols to help convey the mystery of God and to help us grow in faith. St. Augustine described the Sacraments as outward, visible signs of inward, invisible grace.
Catholic Christians believe the Sacraments are much more than rituals. Through the Sacraments, God shares His grace in a special way. He communicates His love to us and leads us to express that love through our daily walk with Him.
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Sacraments
Of
InitiatioN
BAPTISM
Baptism is the initial sacrament of initiation:
The first step of a lifelong journey of discipleship.
The baptism of adults takes place within the framework
of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A. programme).
Adults desiring baptism are invited to call the Parish Office.
*Please see "Becoming Fully Catholic" on the following page to learn more:
MINISTRY GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS
The baptism of infants and children
is generally celebrated after the final Sunday Mass
on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month.
The number is usually limited to eight,
and the spaces fill up quickly.
Please provide the parish with ample notice.
Please note: As of November 2017,
the baptism schedule changes,
with the baptism of infants and children taking place
once per month only, on the first Sunday of each month.
Prebaptismal preparation (a one-hour Friday night meeting)
is required and is available to parents bi-monthly.
Married couples lead the sessions in the Parish Hall.
These meetings are friendly gatherings;
if child care is an issue, parents may bring their children.
Godparents may attend but their presence is not mandatory.
The couples from the team also assist on the day of baptism.
They help the celebration proceed smoothly and within a reasonable time,
allowing families to focus on the beauty of the sacrament.
Baptism is the initial sacrament of initiation:
The first step of a lifelong journey of discipleship.
The baptism of adults takes place within the framework
of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A. programme).
Adults desiring baptism are invited to call the Parish Office.
*Please see "Becoming Fully Catholic" on the following page to learn more:
MINISTRY GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS
The baptism of infants and children
is generally celebrated after the final Sunday Mass
on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month.
The number is usually limited to eight,
and the spaces fill up quickly.
Please provide the parish with ample notice.
Please note: As of November 2017,
the baptism schedule changes,
with the baptism of infants and children taking place
once per month only, on the first Sunday of each month.
Prebaptismal preparation (a one-hour Friday night meeting)
is required and is available to parents bi-monthly.
Married couples lead the sessions in the Parish Hall.
These meetings are friendly gatherings;
if child care is an issue, parents may bring their children.
Godparents may attend but their presence is not mandatory.
The couples from the team also assist on the day of baptism.
They help the celebration proceed smoothly and within a reasonable time,
allowing families to focus on the beauty of the sacrament.
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CONFIRMATION
The sacrament of Confirmation
completes or “seals” our baptism,
with candidates reaffirming
their baptismal promises.
We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit
to strengthen their Christian life
and to help them grow in mature spirituality.
Adults are confirmed on Holy Saturday within the framework of the R.C.I.A.
Those desiring to be confirmed are invited to call the Parish Office.
The Confirmation of Grade 7 students takes place each year,
with their Religion class focusing on preparation.
Catholic children in public school are prepared through
the Catechetical Correspondence Programme.
*Please click the link to learn more:
http://hamiltondiocese.com/offices/catechesis/correspondence/
The sacrament of Confirmation
completes or “seals” our baptism,
with candidates reaffirming
their baptismal promises.
We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit
to strengthen their Christian life
and to help them grow in mature spirituality.
Adults are confirmed on Holy Saturday within the framework of the R.C.I.A.
Those desiring to be confirmed are invited to call the Parish Office.
The Confirmation of Grade 7 students takes place each year,
with their Religion class focusing on preparation.
Catholic children in public school are prepared through
the Catechetical Correspondence Programme.
*Please click the link to learn more:
http://hamiltondiocese.com/offices/catechesis/correspondence/
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EUCHARIST
(Communion)
The Eucharist –- Jesus fully present
under the appearance of bread and wine –-
is the heart of Catholic belief and worship.
In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion,
communicants should not be conscious of grave sin,
have fasted for one hour,
and seek to live in charity and love.
Persons conscious of grave sin must first be reconciled
with God and the Church
through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
R.C.I.A. candidates customarily receive their First Communion
on Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil.
Grade 2 children make their First Communion in the spring,
preparing throughout the school year to receive this sacrament.
Catholic children in public school are prepared through
the Catechetical Correspondence Programme.
*Please click the link to learn more:
http://hamiltondiocese.com/offices/catechesis/correspondence/
(Communion)
The Eucharist –- Jesus fully present
under the appearance of bread and wine –-
is the heart of Catholic belief and worship.
In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion,
communicants should not be conscious of grave sin,
have fasted for one hour,
and seek to live in charity and love.
Persons conscious of grave sin must first be reconciled
with God and the Church
through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
R.C.I.A. candidates customarily receive their First Communion
on Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil.
Grade 2 children make their First Communion in the spring,
preparing throughout the school year to receive this sacrament.
Catholic children in public school are prepared through
the Catechetical Correspondence Programme.
*Please click the link to learn more:
http://hamiltondiocese.com/offices/catechesis/correspondence/
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FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION
of the Blessed Sacrament
The Eucharist is the centre and origin of the life of the Church. Therefore, every First Friday at St. Clement’s, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as an indication to us to enter into spiritual communion with the Lord.
*Please see "Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament"
on the following page to learn more:
MINISTRY GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS
*Please see "Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament"
on the following page to learn more:
MINISTRY GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS
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