SACRAMENTS

BAPTISMS

Adult, infant and child baptisms, which celebrate the initiation into the Christian community, require special preparation.

Infants

Before presenting their first child for infant baptism, parents should take part in a workshop held at 1:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month in the McEwan Center, Room 201 until further notice. Infant baptisms are celebrated during the 11:30 Mass on the first Sunday of each month, except during Lent, and on Easter Sunday. Baptisms are also celebrated at 12:30 p.m. on the third Sunday of every month.

Children

Unbaptized children six years old or older who are enrolled in St. Peter Religious Education Programs for the first time will be involved in a two-year process. This prepares them to be received into the Catholic Church through the reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at Easter during the following academic year. Exceptions can be made only for children whose involvement in a similar program in another parish was interrupted by a transfer to St. Peter Parish.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

Adults will usually be baptized after participation in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) which is an ancient ritual which includes various stages of discernment, leading to sacramental initiation through Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The process is designed for individuals who have never been baptized. Those who were baptized in other churches and baptized Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation and the Eucharist are also welcome to participate. Sponsors, hospitality ministers or catechists are always needed.

FIRST COMMUNION

Second grade students who are enrolled in St. Peter Religious Education programs for the first time will be prepared for reception of First Holy Communion the following Spring only if they were regularly involved in a formal program of religious education throughout the preceding academic year. Attendance at a Catholic school, regular attendance at religious education classes or home study under the supervision of a qualified religious educator would constitute regular involvement in a formal program of religious education. Students who have not enjoyed the benefits of such previous study will be enrolled in a process intended to prepare them for admission to the Eucharist no sooner than January of the following academic year.

RECONCILIATION

First Penance

As a general rule, preparation for first penance is part of the Religious Education Program. Because children reach readiness for this sacrament at various times, our religious education program does not mandate that all children receive the sacrament at the same time. However, in the Spring of the fourth grade year, all students can participate as a class in a communal celebration of Reconciliation.

Weekly Confessions

Confessions are heard each week from 4:45 to 5:20 p.m. or by appointment.

CONFIRMATION

The sacrament of confirmation is celebrated each year at St. Peter, generally during the spring. The parish Religious Education Program is responsible for preparing teens or young adults for this sacrament.

Youth confirmation

Eighth grade students enrolled in St. Peter Religious Education Programs for the first time will be prepared for the reception of confirmation the following Spring only if they participated in a formal program of religious education throughout the preceding academic year. Attendance at a Catholic school, regular attendance at religious education classes, or home study under the supervision of a qualified religious educator would constitute regular involvement in a formal program of religious education. Students who have not enjoyed the benefits of such study will be enrolled in a process intended to prepare them for confirmation during their freshman year of high school.

Adult Confirmation

Adults who are regularly practicing the Catholic Faith but who have never been confirmed may wish to discuss their situation with one of the parish priests or deacons. The bishop visits St. Peter every Spring to celebrate confirmation, and it is fairly simple to arrange to include an adult candidate in the class.

MARRIAGE

First Marriages

Parishioners and the children of parishioners are welcome to celebrate their weddings at St. Peter Church. The bride and groom should make an appointment with one of the priests or deacons assigned to the parish at least six months before the anticipated wedding date. The parish secretary cannot schedule wedding dates; only the priest or deacon can do that, and only after the marriage preparations have been completed. Preparation for marriage includes participation in Pre-Cana sessions and a premarital assessment, generally employing FOCCUS.

Second Marriages

Catholics who are in a second marriage "outside the Church" or who are married to someone who was previously married, or who are considering a second marriage may wish to discuss their situations with one of the parish priests or deacons.

MINISTRY TO THE SICK AND BEREAVED

If you or some member of your family or a Catholic neighbor should fall sick, please inform the Parish Office (889-2221). Most of the hospitals in the Columbus area have Catholic chaplains who attend to the sacramental needs of their Catholic patients, but the parish priests are eager to visit parishioners in the hospital. If some member of the family is shut-in and cannot get to church for Mass, the Parish Office can arrange to have one of the priests and one of the ministers of the Eucharist bring Communion on a regular basis.

St. Peter also offers a Grief and Bereavement ministry for parishioners and their families who are suffering from a chronic illness or the loss of a loved one. The program that is coordinated by Sister Patricia McMahon uses trained parish ministers to serve fellow parishioners. If you need assistance or wish to minister, please contact the rectory at 614-889-2221.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

If you should need anointing due to illness or before going to the hospital for surgery, please ask one of the priests to offer you the Sacrament of the Sick. In addition, there are communal celebrations of the sacrament of the sick twice each year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall.

FUNERALS

If a member of your family dies, please call the rectory (614-889-2221) to make funeral arrangements. The Parish Office will arrange for the musicians and will offer the services of the Lazarus Group to provide a luncheon for family and friends after the funeral.

If you would like a Mass intention for a friend or family member, you can do so by contacting the parish office. Secretaries will assist you with available dates and times.