Living the Sacraments at St. Raphael Parish
Sacraments are outward signs of grace, instituted by Jesus Christ, and entrusted to the Church. Through them, divine life is given to us through the Holy Spirit.
CCC, 1131, 774
Communion Calls
Sacrament of Baptism
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sacrament of Eucharist
Sacrament of Confirmation
Sacrament of Marriage
Sacrament of Annointing of the Sick
Sacrament of Holy Orders
Communion Calls
Those who are homebound have an opportunity to receive Holy Communion. We have a special ministry called the Raphaels who assist in these important visits. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the Parish Office at 440.871.1100 or e-mail us at info@saintraphaelparish.com
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Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism is the first sacrament of Initiation. It makes a person a child of God and heir to God's promise of eternal salvation. Parents and godparents are required to attend an instructional class for this sacrament prior to the conferral of Baptism for their child. Baptismal Class is held the first Sunday of every month from 2-3:00 p.m. in the Callahan Education Center (school library). Baptisms are held at 2:00 p.m. on the remaining Sundays of the month. There is to be only one male sponsor (godparent) or one female sponsor, or one of each.
At least one sponsor must be a practicing Catholic. If they are not a member of Saint Raphael Parish, they need to contact their home parish for a sponsor certificate. To schedule Baptism for your child, call the Parish Office at 440-871-1100.
Delayed Baptism
Children of preschool or school age that have not as yet been baptized have an opportunity to receive the sacrament in an age-appropriate way. Individual classes are scheduled and the child learns about the signs, symbols, ritual and effect of Baptism according to their understanding. Contact the Parish Office at 440-871-1100, ext. 108 to make Baptismal arrangements for post-infant children.Return to Top
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the sacrament through which we personally experience God’s forgiveness and unconditional love. It also has a communal aspect. Our sins injure the Body of Christ. Everything we do affects other people in some way. When we are truly sorry, we can be reconciled to God and to one another through confessing our sins and receiving absolution by a priest.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered each Saturday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. and other times by request.
First Reconciliation
Children traditionally receive the sacrament of First Reconciliation during their second grade year. We also include children of other grades who missed receiving this sacrament. Preparation takes place during the first semester of the school year and is a partnership between the parish and the parent. It includes Information (Religion class) and Formation (parent meeting, mini-retreat, prayer evening and catechesis at home). The Sacrament of First Reconciliation is celebrated on the first Saturday of January.
Downloads:
Schedule
Registration Form
The Sacrament of Reconciliation for Children
The Act of Contrition
Peace Day Registration
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Sacrament of Eucharist
Eucharist is a sacrament of Initiation at the heart and center of our lives as Christians. It is the sacrament that we come to again and again to find spiritual nourishment, to experience forgiveness, to grow in holiness and to be unified with others.
First Eucharist
Receiving their First Communion is an important ritual in the faith development of our children. It welcomes them to the Table of the Lord and the larger community of the parish family of Saint Raphael. Children traditionally receive the sacrament of Eucharist during their second grade year, after they have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
It is the duty of parents and the pastor to make sure the children are prepared properly. Preparation takes place during the second semester of the school year and is a partnership between the parent and the parish. It includes Information (Religion class) and Formation (parent meeting, prayer celebration, mini-retreat and catechesis at home). The Sacrament of First Communion is celebrated at two Masses on the first Saturday in May. Besides the Group First Communion Mass, Saint Raphael Parish offers the option of Family First Communion Masses. These take place at Sunday liturgies between Easter and Memorial Day and are limited to four children receiving First Communion at each Mass.
Downloads:
ScheduleRegistration Form
First Communion Banner
Come to the Table Retreat
First Communion Reply '07
First Communion Schedule '07
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Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation is the sacrament of Initiation in which a bishop or delegated priest confers the sacrament through three important ritual actions: the imposition of hands while calling forth the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the anointing with chrism on the recipient's forehead and the laying on of hands while saying "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by sealing and confirming the baptized person in union with Jesus Christ and calling them to a greater participation in the worship and apostolic life of the Church.
The sacrament of Confirmation is traditionally received at Saint Raphael Parish by students during their eighth grade year. High school students who have not yet been confirmed are also welcome in the program. Preparation begins in May, with the sacrament being received the following March. The
process includes Information (Religion class at Saint Raphael School, Parish School of Religion, Private Religious School or an approved catechetical home course of study) and Formation (attendance at weekly Sunday Mass, two Retreats, three Spirit Nights, an interview and compiling a Confirmation portfolio).
Downloads:
Parent and Sponsor Event
Confirmation Calendar
Service Project Opportunities
Service Hours Master Sheet
Confirmation Name
Confirmation Sponsor
Sacrament of Marriage
God is the author of marriage. Sacred Scripture begins with the creation of man and woman and ends with "the wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev. 19-7, 9). "The marriage covenant by which a man and woman establish between themselves a partnership for the whole of life, is by its nature, ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children. This covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." (CCC 1601, CIC 1055) In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, the spouses, as ministers of Christ's grace, and in the presence of an ordained priest or deacon, mutually confer upon each other the Sacrament of Matrimony, expressing their consent before the People of God. Marriage is a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at Church. By their marriage, a couple is the living witness of God's love for the Church.
Pre-marriage preparation is required for all couples in the Diocese of Cleveland. Couples intending to marry must contact a priest at least six months prior to their requested marriage date. Baptism, First Communion and
Confirmation records are required. Guidelines for Marriage at Saint Raphael reflect the general guidelines of the Cleveland diocese and are available in the Parish Office. A PreCana Day is offered at Saint Raphael Parish each Spring.
Sacrament of Annointing of the Sick
Whenever people are seriously ill, preparing for surgery or seriously affected by the aging process, the Church encourages them to receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. This sacrament is "not just for those at the point of death. As soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be seriously ill from sickness or old age, the fitting time to receive this sacrament has already arrived." CCC 1514
The anointing may take place in a Church, private home, hospital or nursing home. Only bishops and priests may be ministers of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. The sacrament is not limited to adults. Children and infants may receive the sacrament prior to surgery, in the event of serious illness or in danger of death. Special graces come with this sacrament, bringing peace, comfort, spiritual and often, physical healing. To request the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, please contact the Parish Office.
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Sacrament of Holy Orders
"The Sacrament of Holy Orders is a vocation choice for leadership and service to the Catholic community as an ordained minister. The ordained ministry occurs in three degrees or orders: bishop, priest and deacon. These ministries are essential for the life of the Church. Bishops receive the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. They are the chief teachers, sanctifiers and shepherds in their dioceses.
Priests are united with the bishops as co-workers in pastoral functions. With the bishop, they form a presbyteral (priestly) community and share with him the pastoral mission for a particular parish or ministry.
Deacons receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders, but not the ministerial priesthood. Through ordination, the deacon is called to service and may baptize,
proclaim the Gospel, preach the homily, assist the priest or bishop in the
celebration of the Eucharist, assist at and bless marriages, and preside at
funerals. " The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, Chapter 20
Saint Raphael Parish prays for vocations to the ordained life and encourages those who feel called to contact a priest for more information. Preparation for the priesthood and diaconate is done on the diocesan level and requires several years of formation and study.
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