Liturgy & Sacraments

“Christian liturgy not only recalls the events that saved us but actualizes them, makes them present. The Paschal mystery of Christ is celebrated, not repeated. It is the celebrations that are repeated, and in each celebration there is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that makes the unique mystery present.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1104

Each Sacred Liturgy, or Holy Mass, is the Paschal Mystery of Christ: His torture, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, ascension, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In her Sacred Liturgy, the Catholic Church makes disciples of all nations by announcing and establishing this Gospel of Christ Jesus—the New Covenant of Love. Every Holy Mass begins with the Sign of the Cross during the Introductory Rites, recalling Baptism and Confirmation through which each member of the Church has had sin washed away and has become a new human and child of God on the inside. During the Liturgy of the Word, each member of the Church hears, accepts, and agrees to live by all that Christ Jesus commands them to do, obligations of love. With the Liturgy of the Eucharist, each member of the Church offers and consumes the Sacrifice of Christ before the Face of God to make official and strengthen the New Covenant of Love relationship with the Holy Trinity. Then, with the final Sign of the Cross during the Dismissal, each member of the Church recalls the words of Christ, “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age,” and re-enters the world to transform more lives with the power of Christ’s love working through them.

Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism

For infants, and for older children and adults who have received the gift of faith, Baptism opens the door to a personal covenant of love relationship with the Holy Trinity, making them a disciple of Jesus Christ. In Baptism, the Holy Trinity removes original sin, forgives actual sins, and gives the baptized a new heart and spirit and the Holy Spirit, infusing them with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity. In Baptism people are born from above by water and the Spirit, becoming children of our heavenly Father.

Infant Baptism (up to 6 yrs old)

Baptism requirements:

  • Contact the office 541-884-4242 to schedule the Baptism and/or register for classes at least one month in advance

  • Both parents (preferably with godparents) must attend a baptism class

  • One godparent must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church

  • As a general rule, Baptisms are celebrated during the weekend Masses

Baptism for age 7-15: Please register for Discipleship class

Baptism for age 16-Adult: Please register for O.C.I.A.

Confirmation

Confirmation completes Baptism for older children and adults. This means the Holy Spirit seals and reinforces all the gifts and virtues received in Baptism, thereby strengthening disciples of Jesus to faithfully live their covenant of love relationship with the Holy Trinity by observing all Jesus commands us to do, our obligations of love. This includes bearing witness in deed and word to the Gospel in their families, communities, and world.

Confirmation in the Diocese of Baker requires two years of formation concluding by the end of 6th grade. We celebrate Confirmation every other year in our parish, your child may begin preparation in 4th or 5th grade. Contact the faith formation office for more information.

Eucharist

The Eucharist is the Son of God in the flesh—body, blood, soul, and divinity. During the Holy Mass, the Church offers the Eucharist—Christ the Sacrificial Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world—to the Father and consumes Him. When consumed with right intention, this Holy Sacrifice ratifies, makes official, and strengthens each disciple’s covenant of love relationship with the Holy Trinity. The Eucharist also unites each disciple receiving Him with all the Angels and Saints in heaven and on earth in joyful celebration for our salvation. Viaticum (Latin for “provision for the way”), commonly referred to as the Last Rites, is the Eucharist administered to disciples of Jesus near death.

Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit