Our Mother of Sorrows
ST.
CASIMIR 
ST.
ANN
HOLY FAMILY
Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life.
Parents (at least one) should be active members of one of our parishes. Instructions are given before the birth of the child. Godparents should be good Catholics and be able to prove it. Call the pastor for more information.
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), 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.
Engaged Couples should contact the pastor at least one year before the requested wedding day. Bride and Groom must attend Sunday Mass and receive the Sacraments. Call pastor for more information.
Marriage Preparation - Starting your
life together – Diocese of Erie
- Our goal for you is a strong Christian marriage. Our marriage preparation
programs are all designed to help couples achieve enhanced communication and
understanding of sacramental marriage. You will learn techniques that allow you
to continually enrich your marriage, to grow in love and live your vows every
day.
Four Steps for Successful
Marriage Preparation
1. You've probably already talked with your priest about your wedding plans. Our church asks that you begin at least six months prior to your wedding date. This allows ample time to look clearly at your relationship and for the Church to support you at this time of transition in your life
2. One of the most enjoyable and valuable steps you may experience is called FOCCUS. Presented as a series of questions, it sets you thinking about yourselves and the similarities and differences each of you is bringing to your marriage. FOCCUS is an aid, not a test which reveals a surprising array of strengths and weaknesses in your relationship. Talking about the results with each other and with your priest helps improve the communication between you and is a lot of fun at the same time.
3. Now the Church takes you another step forward by offering three marriage preparations programs. You may choose the one, which suits your needs.
4. The rest of the process is between you and your priest
The Sacraments are available to those unable to come to Church due to sickness or age. Hospital visits by request. Emergency sick calls are taken anytime.
The Apostolic Constitution:
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (Pope Paul VI)
The Catholic Church professes and teaches that the anointing of the sick is one
of the seven sacraments of the New Testament, that it was instituted by Christ
our Lord, "intimated in Mark (6:13) and through James, the apostle and brother
of the Lord, recommended to the faithful and made known: "Is there anyone sick
among you? Let him send for the presbyters of the Church and let them pray over
him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will
save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins,
they will be forgiven him' (James 5:14-15)."
Sponsors & God parents: Some make this distinction between godparents and sponsors: the god-parents are chosen by the elect, in consultation with the pastor, to escort them during the Initiation Rites*; sponsors are those chosen to accompany candidates who seek admission to the catechumenate and remain with them to supervise their progress during this process until the Rite of Election, when they may also be chosen as godparents. Ordinarily the words are interchangeable and refer to those who at both Baptism* and Confirmation present the candidate with the intention of making sure that the person will be faithful to the meaning of the Sacrament.
We welcome you to worship with us and become registered members of our tri-parish community. Please complete the form on the back of the bulletin and place it in the collection basket or mail it to the tri-parish office. We will contact you to complete the process.
The Rite
of Penance
Saturday 3:45 p.m. (St. Casimir); 4:30 p.m. (St. Ann); Sunday 9:00 a.m. (St. Ann); First Friday 7:30 a.m. (St. Casimir), 7:00 p.m. (St. Ann). Communal Celebrations are offered during Advent and Lent. Confessions offered anytime by request.
Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has asked "for renewed pastoral courage in ensuring that the day-to-day teaching of Christian communities persuasively and effectively presents the practice of the Sacrament of Reconciliation" (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 37). A renewed appreciation for this wonderful sacrament, which leads many to return to the life of grace, will bring about a new springtime, a new era of growth and life for the Church. In response to the Pope's invitation, this statement will speak of our need for reconciliation and explain how we receive it. The Pennsylvania Bishops invite every Catholic to celebrate the sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation
