"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you." - Matthew 28:19-20

Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God. We become members of Christ, incorporated into the Church, and made sharers in her mission. Baptism is a public celebration which is preferably celebrated within the context of the Mass, however exceptions can be made.

WHY DO WE BAPTIZE?

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word" (CCC, 1213).

Our Lord Voluntarily submitted himself to the baptism of St. John, intended for sinner, in order to "fulfill all righteousness." Jesus' gesture is a manifestation of his self-emptying. The Spirit who had hovered over the waters of the first creation descended then on the Christ as a prelude of the new creation, and the Father revealed Jesus as his "beloved Son" (CCC, 1224).

The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament (CCC, 1257).

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"Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you." Then he breathed on them and said, “Received the Holy Spirit. If you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." - John 20:21-23

It is called the sacrament of CONFESSION since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense, it is also a "confession" - acknowledgment and praise - of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man.

It is called the sacrament of FORGIVENESS since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the penitent "pardon and peace."

It is called the sacrament of RECONCILIATION because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: "Be reconciled to God." He who lives by God's merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord's call: "Go; first be reconciled to your brother" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1424).

The faithful are encouraged to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly, and at least once per year. It is important that a reflection of our lives and our sinfulness is part of our regular experience of prayer. It is also important for us to seek out the grace of Sacramental forgiveness through Reconciliation. St. Peter's offers ample opportunities to receive this Sacrament.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE

Monday through Saturday
Immediately following Daily Mass (approximately 9:00 am).

Saturday Afternoon
3:30 - 4:30 pm

By appointment:​​​​​​​
Fr. Daniel Bodin • (651) 982-2203
Fr. Paul Hedman • (651) 982-2204

Resources

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, one should prepare oneself with an examination of conscience, which involves reflecting prayerfully on one's thoughts, words, and deeds in order to identify any sins.

There are various types of examinations of conscience but regardless of which one you use to prepare yourself for the Sacrament it should be rooted in Scripture; particularly, the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes.  Below are a few examples of Examinations of Conscience that can help you prepare for the Sacrament.

Examination of Conscience based on the Ten Commandments

Examination of Conscience for Children

Examination of Conscience for Young Adults

Examination of Conscience for Single People

Examination of Conscience for Married Persons

"Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." - John 6:47-51

The Eucharist is the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. By the Eucharistic celebration, we unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life. The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church's life, for in it, our Lord Jesus Christ associates His Church and all Her members with His sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.  Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ increases our union with the Lord, forgives venial sins, and preserves us from grave sins. Since receiving this sacrament strengthens the bonds of charity between Christ and us it also reinforces the unity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ.

Because we see the Eucharist as the true body of Christ and not a symbol or metaphor, we know our Lord is truly present in this Sacrament, and in the tabernacle in our church. The Eucharist is to be honored and adored.

To receive the Eucharist, one must be in a state of Grace, or free of mortal sin. We are in a state of grace by going to confession. The Church asks the faithful to go to confession at least once a year, and receive the Eucharist at least once a year.

Students are the age of a Second Grader when they receive this sacrament at St. Peter. Participation in a recognized Catholic instruction program is part of the Sacramental Program here at St. Peter’s. Attendance at Parent Meetings, Preparation Days, and completion of classroom work, are elements of the Sacramental Program. Second Graders are automatically invited, unless parents inform us otherwise.

For more information, please contact the Faith Formation Department at (651) 982-2238 or visit the Faith Formation Page.

"[T]hey sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." - Acts 8:14-17

Confirmation strengthens the grace of Baptism and commits the baptized to become witnesses of Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith. Christ himself declared that he was marked with his Father's seal. Christians are also marked with a seal: "It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has commissioned us; he has put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."

This seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, our enrollment in his service for ever, as well as the promise of divine protection in the great eschatological trial (CCC ,1296). Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the baptized continue on the path of initiation and are perfectly bond to the Church.

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"Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him.’ ... That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one." - Genesis 2:18, 24

Holy Matrimony is the Sacrament by which a baptized man and a woman freely establish between themselves a union - partnership - of the whole of life. This covenant of love is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament (CCC, 1601). This covenant is made between a man and woman in front of God and lasts a lifetime. The love between married couples is as our Lord loves His Church. The ultimate goal of a married couple is to get their spouse, and children, to heaven.

Married couples live out their sacrament by the way they care for one another, love one another, and are enthusiastic for one another as husband and wife. In their daily love for each other, their children, and the larger community, they become a living sign (a sacrament) for all of how much Jesus loves us and wishes to embrace us as His brothers and sisters. As they work their way through marital and family crises and struggles, they are witness to the power of the Holy Spirit at work in all our lives.

In order to live out this ideal Christian marriage, couples must have the ability to give and receive love and to sustain an intimate relationship. They must also have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and His Body, the Church.

Celebrating the Sacrament of Matrimony
We welcome you to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony at St. Peter's. We want to help you prepare for married life and for your wedding day!

Requirements
Those wishing to receive the sacrament of Matrimony must:

1. Be registered members of the parish or have an affiliation with the parish through parents or grandparents.
2. Meet with the Clergy to begin Marriage Preparation and assignment of FOCCUS Couple.
3. Participate in the FOCCUS program.

Please call the parish office at (651) 982-2201 one year in advance for more information on preparing for your marriage.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people." - Luke 4: 18-19

Holy Orders includes three degrees: episcopate (bishop), presbyterate (priest), and diaconate (deacon). Through Holy Orders, the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time. A man receiving the Sacrament of Holy Orders is ordained a bishop, priest, or deacon.

Everyone has a vocation! In simple terms, "vocation" means a "call" - your vocation is what God calls you to do with your life. Everyone is called by God to know, love, and serve Him. Individual vocations vary between being single, married, consecrated/religious, or priesthood.

"Are any among you suffering? ... Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven." - James 5:13-15

The Lord himself showed great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick and commanded his followers to do likewise. This is clear from the gospels, and above all from the existence of the sacrament of anointing, which he instituted and which is made known in the Letter of James. Since then the Church has never ceased to celebrate this sacrament for its members by the anointing and prayer of its priests, commending those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them (Rite of the Pastoral Care of the Sick, Par. 5).

Anointing of the Sick tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. As soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, they should receive this sacrament. We have people request an Anointing of the Sick before a surgery in which the person will be put under full anesthesia or hospital stay. This sacrament is offered to those in need of emotional, physical or spiritual strength. The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is for the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ.

When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it is God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age. Other effects are union with our Lord Jesus Christ, and preparation for the final journey.

If you, or someone you know, desires to be anointed, please call the parish office at (651) 982-2200.