PRAYING FOR VOCATIONS WITH YOUR FAMILY
Pilgrim Vocation Icon Program on its way! The seeds of God's grace are planted in our hearts hoping to find fertile fields that will bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit and, in particular, ministerial service in the Church. Prayer is integral in the process of nurturing Church vocations. On Sunday, 5 October, the entire Byzantine Catholic Church in America is beginning a Pilgrim Vocation Icon Program. Each week, the icon is taken by a household in the parish. Those who accept the icon agree to pray during that time for religious and priestly vocations.
Everyone in the parish is invited and encouraged to have this icon in their home for one week. Prayer booklets will be provided. Please sign up on the sheet that is posted in the back of the church.
https://byzantinecatholicvocation.com/prayer -
HOLY MYSTERIES
THE MYSTERIES OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION, Baptism, Chrismation, and Holy Eucharist are administered together. Once initiated, infants and children should receive Holy Communion regularly. Baptisms must be arranged at least one month in advance and new parents will receive catechesis before the event.
THE MYSTERY OF REPENTANCE (Confession) is available before or after all services by request. Children will be prepared for Confession in grade 2. Special hours for confessions are scheduled before Christmas and Pascha.
THE MYSTERY OF CROWNING Weddings should be arranged with the parish before finalizing any other details. Wedding preparation, including Pre Cana sessions, should begin at least six months before the wedding date. Contact the parish office to share the good news of your engagement!
Church law requires that at least one baptismal sponsor and one witness to Matrimony must be a practicing Catholic. Practicing members of this parish needing sponsor certificates to serve as godparents or witnesses to Matrimony in another parish should contact the Parish Office.
PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK Please contact the Parish Office whenever a parishioner is facing serious illness or hospitalization so that they may be anointed for healing. Sacramental visits to parishioners who are homebound or in care facilities are made monthly. Please contact the Parish Office to make arrangements. Please do not wait for "Last Rites"! Call for a priest while your loved one is able to make a confession and receive Holy Communion.
FUNERAL SERVICES The normal practice of the Byzantine Catholic Church is to pray the Parastas service with the body of the deceased at the funeral home and to bring the deceased to Church for a Funeral Liturgy before burial. A memorial service may be served at the cemetery or columbarium before the committal of cremated remains. Cremated remains should always be committed in this way, not scattered or preserved in the home. A funeral director can make all necessary arrangements with St Michael's Cathedral at time of need.
