What is Baptism?

Jesus became man to bring us to reconciliation with his Father.  In John 3:5 Jesus said, “No one can enter the kingdom of God, unless he is first-born of water and Spirit.”  After His Resurrection, Jesus met with the eleven Apostles and gave them the commission to preach the Gospel and baptize, telling them, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved (Mk 16:16).”

Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist.  The waters did not purify Him; He cleansed the waters.  “He comes to sanctify the Jordan for our sake . . . to begin a new creation through the Spirit and water.”  (St. Gregory Nazianzen, Liturgy of the Hours, I, 634).

Through baptism we are born again, not on a physical level but a spiritual one.  We are baptized into Jesus’ death and therefore, share in His Resurrection (Romans 6:3-7). Baptism cleanses us of sins and brings the Holy Spirit and His grace into our souls (Acts 2:38, 22:16).

Jesus’ immersion in the water is a sign for all human beings of the need to die to themselves to do God’s will.  Jesus did not need to be baptized, because He was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin.  However, He wanted to show His solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father.  By commanding His disciples to baptize all nations, He established the means by which people would die to sin, original and actual, and begin to live a new life with God.

When do we celebrate Baptism?

Baptism is often celebrated by appointment.  Children can be baptized as soon as they are born; you only need to make an appointment with Father.  If you are interested in receiving the Sacrament of Baptism,  please call the Parish Office for further information.  Baptism for adults is a part of Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults  or RCIA.

What is Reconciliation?

Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, we are born into sin and we continue to sin.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation, sometimes called confession, is offered for those who approach the Sacrament in a genuinely, sorrowful attitude.  It consists of repentance, meaning contrition for sins and a firm purpose to sin no more in the future, confession, absolution, and reparation.  Through confession to a priest, God’s minister, our sins are forgiven. Then, God gives us His grace to help us resist future temptations.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is an experience of the gift of God’s boundless mercy.  Not only does it free us from our sins, but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us.  We are freed to be forgivers.

Jesus gave His apostles power and authority to reconcile us to the Father.  They received Jesus’ own power to forgive sins when he breathed on them and said,

"Receive the Holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."         John 20:22-23

When do we celebrate Reconciliation?

First, Reconciliation is typically received in the second grade after two years of preparation through the Children’s Faith Development or CCD program.  Receiving the Sacrament of the Reconciliation for the first time as an adult, is part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or RCIA.  After your first reconciliation, you can go as often as you like. 

Reconciliation Resources

Children’s Guide to Confession (CDOP website)

Adult’s Guide to Confession (CDOP website)

For more information about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please refer to the Online Catechism of the Catholic Church.

If you would like more information about the Sacrament of Reconciliation or would like to make an appointment for confession, please call the Parish Office.

What is the Holy Eucharist?

The Holy Eucharist, also called Holy Communion, is the core of our Catholic celebration and worship.  It is a continual grace that keeps us spiritually healthy and strengthened.  Catholics renew our Baptismal covenant through our participation in the Eucharist at Mass.  Jesus uses this ‘supper’ to feed us physically, emotionally and spiritually with His own Body and Blood.

In the Old Testament, as God’s people prepared for their journey in the wilderness, God commanded His people to sacrifice a lamb and sprinkle its blood on their doorposts.  So the Angel of Death would pass by their homes.  Then they ate the lamb to seal their covenant with God. This lamb prefigured Jesus.  He is the real “Lamb of God,” who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).  Through Jesus, we enter into a New Covenant with God (Luke 22:20), Who protects us from eternal death.  God’s Old Testament people ate the Passover lamb.  Now, we must eat the lamb that is the Eucharist.  Jesus said, “unless you eat My flesh and drink My blood you have no life within you” (John 6:53-54).  This is truly a mystery.

At the Last Supper, He took bread and wine and said,

"Take and eat. This is My body…This is My blood which will be shed for you. Do this in remembrance of me."        1 Cor. 11:23-25

In this way, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the sacrificial meal Catholics consume at each Mass.

The Catholic Church teaches that the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross occurred “once for all.”  It cannot be repeated (Hebrews 9:28).  Jesus does not “die again” during Mass; but the very same sacrifice that occurred on Calvary is made present on the altar.  That’s why the Mass is not “another” sacrifice, but a participation in the first, same, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Paul reminds us that the bread and the wine really become, by a miracle of God’s grace, the actual Body and Blood of Jesus.

"Anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the Body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself."       1 Corinthians 11:27-29

When do we celebrate the Holy Eucharist?

First, Communion is typically received in the second grade after two years of preparation through the Children’s Faith Development or CCD program and after the First Reconciliation has been completed.  Receiving the Sacrament of First Holy Communion for the first time as an adult is part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or RCIA.

We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist each day at Mass.

If you are unable to attend Mass and would like to receive the sacrament of Holy Eucharist, please call the Parish Office for further information.

What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is the sacrament in which baptized persons receive a special grace which strengthens them for their Christian work ahead.  Confirmation is administered by the bishop.  It seals us with the Holy Spirit, increases and deepens our baptismal grace, roots us more deeply to Jesus, increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and gives us special strength of the Spirit to boldly spread and defend the faith by word and deed as true witnesses of Christ.

On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to strengthen the disciples with new graces for the difficult work ahead.  Then they went out and preached the Gospel fearlessly and carried out the mission Jesus had given them.  Later, they laid hands on others to strengthen them as well (Acts 8:14-17). Through Confirmation we are strengthened to meet the spiritual challenges in our lives.

The Sacrament of Confirmation completes our Baptismal graces and fully initiates us into the discipleship of Christ and His Church.  Our hope is that sacramental formation within our Parish will especially prepare our youth and adult catechumens to receive all the graces the Holy Spirit wants to give them.

When do we celebrate Confirmation?

Confirmation is often celebrated before Easter for 9th and 10th Graders and after the Rite of Christian Initiation Classes or RCIA have been completed for adults. If you are interested in receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, please call the Parish Office for further information.

What is Marriage?

The Sacrament of Matrimony or Marriage is the sacred covenant between a man and a woman who promise fidelity between themselves and God.  It establishes an intimate community of life and love and that the good of the other is the foremost attitude.  Through this sacrament, God gives special graces for life’s difficulties and especially to help raise their children as loving followers of Christ.

A committed, permanent relationship of husband and wife is the root of the family.  It strengthens all the members, provides best for the needs of the children and causes the home to be an effective sign of Jesus to the world.

A consummated, sacramental marriage is permanent; only death can break it (Mark 10:1-12, Romans 7:2-3, 1 Corinthians 7:10-11).  This holy union is a living symbol of the unbreakable relationship between Christ and his Church (Ephesians 5:21-33).

Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage

If you are interested in participating in the Sacrament of Marriage, please call the Parish Office. Couples planning to marry are encouraged to make arrangements at least six months prior to the wedding date.  The Diocese of Sioux City requires formation classes for all couples preparing for marriage.  Visit Diocese of Sioux City website for more information.

What is Holy Orders?

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is one in which the Tradition and mission given from Jesus to Peter continues to be passed down from priest to priest through all time.  It is a sacrament of apostolic ministry.  Offered to men, as popes, bishops, priests, or deacons, it is a solemn vow, taken and received in sacred spirituality between God and his Church.  Through this sacrament, faithful men are empowered to strengthen and heal God’s people.  Women can choose to live a consecrated life by becoming nuns or sisters, supporting the work of Christian service, but are not ordained.

Young men who would like to learn more about the priesthood or young women who would like to learn more about sisterhood should feel free to visit with the pastor.  The Diocese has an annual retreat for those young men discerning a priestly vocation called Emmaus Days. Retreats are presented in two sessions for those aged 18+ and for younger men. To inquire about Emmaus Days or to seek direction on Holy Orders or a consecrated life, please call the Parish Office.

Celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Orders

The Sacrament of the Holy Orders is celebrated in Sioux City, Iowa by Bishop R. Walker Nickless, of the Sioux City Diocese.

What is Anointing of the Sick?

Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing, both physical and spiritual.  This sacrament helps us endure illness, uniting our passion with that of the Lord.  It cleanses our souls and helps us prepare to meet God.

“Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is any one among you sick? He should summon the priests of the Church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven”

                                                                                                                        James 5: 14-15

Celebrating the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick is available upon request.  If you are going to the hospital for a procedure that involves general anesthesia, or suffer any serious illness, it is appropriate to request the Sacrament of Anointing.  See the priest after any Mass or call the Parish Office for more information.