Sacramental Information
Rev. Larry Frient, Pastor
E-mail: mountcarmelniles@yahoo.com
Call the Rectory for answers to these or any other questions
- What do I do if someone in my family is sick?
- How do I make funeral arrangements?
- What is the Church position on Cremation?
- What are the Parish Guidelines on Funerals?
- I want to get married?
- Do I need an annulment?
- How do I schedule a mass for a loved one?
- How do I become a member?
Baptism
"While you have light, believe in the light,
that you may become children of the light."
(John 12:36)
Baptism is such an important event in the lives of Catholic Christians. It is the primary way we are initiated into the Church (God’s Family). Baptism calls for a deep faith commitment to Christ on the part of the Church Family and the child’s parents and family.
Parents who wish to present their child for Baptism should be registered at this parish. We also expect parents to attend a class about Baptism before we agree to set a date to baptize a child. Call the rectory to make arrangements well ahead of time.
Where can I find my baptismal certificate?
Catholic parishes have always taken special care of sacramental records and they are kept on file at the rectory. You may call and request a copy of a record when you need one. There is no fee. When records are requested for a wedding or any other reason, they should usually be documented from the last six months. For example, if you are getting married, the priest needs a baptismal certificate that has been certified in the last six months. The copy at the time of your baptism will not suffice. The record must include all sacramental information that is recorded for you and those records are kept with your baptismal certificate at the parish of your baptism.
First Communion
Children in the Diocese of Youngstown celebrate the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion in the second grade. Two full years of instruction are required prior to the reception of these sacraments.
Confirmation
Grade eight will be the normal age of reception. Students in grade eight will have been in a suitably instructed catechetical learning environment prior to (grades one-seven) and including grade eight.
First Reconciliation/ First Communion Policies:
Children in the Diocese of Youngstown celebrate the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion in the second grade. Two full years of instruction are required prior to the reception of these sacraments.
Religious Education Grades K-8
Formal Religious Education classes are provided in our parish for those students who attend public schools (Grades K-8). Classes for the 2009-2010 Catechetical Year will be held on Sunday mornings 10:30AM-12:00 noon (Grades K-8) from September-April. New registrations are now being accepted. Forms may be obtained in the parish office weekdays. Parents/Guardians must complete a registration form for each new child entering the program prior to the opening session in September. Please register early!! Parents who have a child attending a Catholic School and entering the second or eighth grade (09-10 year) are to contact the parish office if your child will be receiving the sacrament of First Reconciliation, First Communion (Grd. Two); Confirmation (Grd. Eight) at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.
RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
RCIA is the process by which non-Catholics learn about the Catholic faith and consider the possibility of becoming a Catholic Christian. Our RCIA program is held in collaboration with St. Stephen Parish and meets on Tuesday evenings at 7:00PM.
Persons who are already Catholic are welcome to attend the RCIA sessions in order to strengthen their faith. Plus, we are often looking for adults who are willing to serve as Sponsors for those coming into the Church. Upcoming RCIA topics include:
- “Introduction to Scripture” on October 12
- “Jesus: Fully Human & Fully Divine” on October 19
Both sessions in the St. Stephen Parish Meeting Room (in the Rectory Basement). For more information, contact Dave Schmidt, Pastoral Associate, at dschmidtkofc@neo.rr.com or (330) 652-5825.