Sacraments

Parents, we welcome the entrance of your children in the Catholic Church through the sacrament of Baptism. The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on Sunday either during a regularly scheduled weekend Mass or at 12:30 pm after the Masses. As the first step in the Baptismal process, if you wish to have your infant baptized, please contact one of the priests at the Parish Office at 651-4349 or 539-2944 to schedule a meeting.

We invite children to prepare for their continuing initiation into the life of Christ by coming to eat and drink at the Table of the Lord. The Eucharist offers us the continued presence of the life of our God as we celebrate the Lords Supper. First Communion preparation is offered through Faith Formation. Please contact the Faith Formation Office for more information.

This sacrament seals the Christian in the Faith and calls them to fulfill the Mission of Christ. The preparation for this sacrament is now a two-year process, beginning no sooner than a child's 8th grade year. After two years of preparation, if the candidate is ready for the responsibility of fulfilling Christ's mission, they receive the sacrament from the Bishop. For more information, contact the Faith Formation Office.

As people grow and are able to recognize behavior that separates them from God, we invite them to enter into the process for celebrating forgiveness and reconciliation with the Community of Faith. Our confessionals offer the setting for this sacrament in either face to face or more traditional "behind a screen" model. The sacrament is offered from 3:30 to 4:30 pm every Saturday at St. Mary's Church, First Fridays and First Saturdays from 9:00 to 10:00 am at St. Patrick's Church, or contact one of the Priests to set up an appointment.

Congratulations!! Please call Fr. Jim or Fr. Mike a minimum of 6 months in advance to begin preparations for your wedding. Pre-Cana is required. This is offered at various locations in the Diocese throughout the year, or can be done online. St. Francis and St. Clare uses a tool called "Fully Engaged" as a means to assist couples in their exploration of their expectations of marriage and their communication/problem-solving skills.

The anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. It is usually one of the last sacraments one will receive. However, this sacrament is certainly not limited to those nearing death. It is for all those who are sick of body, mind, and spirit. In more basic terms, it is a rite that is performed to convey God's grace to the recipient, through the power of the Holy Spirit. If you or a family member would like to receive the anointing of the sick, please contact one of the priests at the Parish Office, 315-539-2944.

If you feel that God might be calling you to serve His people as a Priest or Deacon, we invite you to contact the Diocesan Vocations Director at 1150 Buffalo Rd.