Holy Illumination
Notice: Before setting dates for Baptisms, parents must contact Fr. Shaun.
Three individual Mysteries celebrated together in one ceremony: Baptism, Chrismation and Eucharist. Minimum three months advance notice. Parents must be active and participating members of St Jacob’s. Sponsors must be practicing Catholics and properly registered in a parish and obtain a letter from their pastor stating that they are Catholics in good standing (i.e. recently confessed sins and taken Communion). One reason for these requirements is to ensure the child being baptized belongs to a family serious about the faith and will raise the child in the same.
Holy Crowning
Notice: Before setting dates for Weddings, couples must contact Fr. Shaun.
Minimum one year advance notice, preparation meetings with Fr. Shaun and participation in a marriage preparation program approved by the Catholic Church are required. At least one of the prospective spouses must be an active and participating member of St Jacob’s. Before a date is finalized the couple must provide a recent copy of their baptismal certificate with annotations. The longer advance notice time is to ensure an adequate marriage preparation as well as a thorough pre-nuptial investigation — an especially sensitive matter if attempting to obtain records from the Middle East.
Reconciliation (Confession)
Available after Vespers or Divine Liturgy, or by appointment.
The Sacrament of Confession bestows on us the gift of having our sins forgiven, reconciling us with God and with others. The experience of the Church shows that every confession is a liturgical act of faith, hope, and love for Jesus Christ. As one priest said, How can any priest not be moved by souls which humbly trust so much in God’s mercy, even as we are but the weak and imperfect instruments of this mercy? “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them” (John 20:23).
Holy Unction (Anointing)
Available for those who are ill or anticipating an operation.
The Mystery of Anointing of the Sick is routinely offered during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday or during pastoral visits by the priest to the hospitalized, the homebound and ill parishioners. It is given to anyone who is seriously ill or grown more fragile with age. This Mystery is appropriate for someone preparing for surgery. If there is even the slightest and most remote danger of death, the Sacrament ought to be given.