Sacraments

In Baptism, God unties our soul to Himself. God’s love, the Holy Spirit, is poured into our soul. Our soul is lifted to a new kind of life which is a sharing in God’s own life.

By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin. In those who have been reborn nothing remains that would impede their entry into the Kingdom of God, neither Adam’s sin, nor personal sin, nor the consequences of sin, the gravest of which is separation from God. (CCC 1263)

1. Parish Registration: Parents of the child to be baptized should be registered members of a Champaign County Region Catholic Parish. If you are not registered, please register at the Parish Office.
2. Baptism Class: Parents are required to attend a Baptism Preparation Class before the baptism.

Please print off this Request Form and return it to the Parish Office. Thank You! Request for Baptism

A Godparent is someone who is more than just a “good” person. A Godparent is more than
someone dearly loved by the candidate or the candidate’s parents. A Godparent is someone who is a
spiritual inspiration. A Godparent must also fulfill the minimum requirements as stated in the Canon
Law of the Church. These requirements are found on the Godparent eligibility form. In order to act
as a Godparent, you must ask the intended Godparent to read carefully, to complete and sign the
form, and to have his or her Pastor sign and seal the form. Please make certain the intended
Godparent takes the signing of the form seriously. Please do not ask an intended Godparent
to be dishonest before the Lord (for example, asking someone to be a Godparent who you
know does not attend Mass every week).

For Baptism, Godparents may only include one man and one woman. One of the sponsors
may be a non-Catholic Christian Witness who practices the Christian denomination to which he or
she belongs. If this is the case, please provide a letter from that Witness’ Pastor stating that the
intended Witness is an active member of that congregation.

The Following form is for the Godparents Pastor to fill out, they will also need to be returned to the Parish Office before a date of the Baptism can be set. Godparent Eligibility Form

The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” “The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” (CCC1324)

The Catholic Church’s understanding of the Eucharist permits practicing Catholics to receive Holy Communion. Those who will not be receiving the Eucharist are asked to remain in the pews and are invited to join the congregation in silent prayer during the communion procession.

Our parishes celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist at each Mass.

It is through the sacrament of Penance that the baptized can be reconciled with God and with the Church: Penance has rightly been called by the holy Fathers “a laborious kind of baptism.” This sacrament of Penance is necessary for salvation for those who have fallen after Baptism, just as Baptism us necessary for salvation for those who have not yet been reborn. (CCC980)

Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God’s forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. (CCC1440)

Confessions are held in Reconciliation Rooms

St. Mary
Wednesday 7:00-8:00 pm
Friday 10:00-10:45 am
Saturday 10:00-10:45 am

Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the “sacraments of Christian initiation,” whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For “by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” (CCC1285)

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. (CCC1296)

For more information on Confirmation classes please contact the parish office at (937) 653-1375 or stmarychurchoffice@gmail.com.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Catholic faith is welcome to join us Tuesday evenings at St. Mary Church at 6:30 p.m. Whether you are interested in becoming Catholic, already Catholic and want to learn more about your faith, or just want to know about the Catholic faith you are welcome to join us.

If you would like to be enrolled in the RCIA program please print off this form RCIA Registration Form and return it to the parish office.

The Bible describes God’s plan for marriage as a grace for a happy life and sign of Christ’s faithful and fruitful love for his Bride, the Church. We at Champaign County Region Parishes are excited for you to grow in this love and understanding.

This is one of the most exciting (and hectic) seasons in your life. Let us help you get ready for more than just the wedding day.

Please contact the parish office at least six (6) months before your planned wedding date.

Anointing is available by appointment during the week, or upon request during the weekend. Please contact us if you or a loved one would like to receive the sacrament.

Since the time of the Apostles, Christ has personally called forth some men and women to dedicate their lives ministering to the People of God in the service of the Church as a priest or religious sister or brother.

Vocations can be any of the following:

• Married Life
• Religious Life
• Consecrated Life
• Permanent Diaconate
• Priesthood

To discuss or learn more about a vocation and discernment, check out the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Vocations website.