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Sacraments

Taking the Sacramental Journey…

Our Parish looks forward to taking your Sacramental Journey with you!

There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders (which includes the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life), and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all stages and all important moments of Christian life: they give birth, enrich, heal, and give mission to a Christian’s life of faith. Thus, there is a resemblance between the stages of your natural life and the stages of your spiritual life. The sacraments are Christ’s own gift that provide us with his grace.

Baptism

Baptism is the beginning of your faith journey. In Baptism, we are recreated as the children of God and brought into the Life of God through Jesus Christ. In Baptism, we receive the Holy Spirit who makes a dwelling within us, bearing the gifts of Faith, Hope, and Love. Baptisms may be celebrated during the weekend Masses or outside of Mass. A Pre-Baptismal Preparation Class for parents, offered once each month, is required. We look forward to celebrating this Sacrament with you & your child. Please contact the Parish Office at 255-3162 ext. 128 to sign up for class or schedule a Baptism.

Eucharist

Eucharist is our food for the journey. The reception of the Eucharist initiates or brings us into a closer relationship with God. Unlike Baptism or Confirmation, the Eucharist is the on-going nourishment, which takes us into the Life of God and binds us together with our brothers and sisters in Love. Our nourishment in the Sacred Meal of the Eucharist is a Living Person, the Person of Jesus Christ. Sacramental preparation for First Eucharist normally takes place in the second grade for children baptized in the Catholic Faith. First Eucharist is generally celebrated during the season of Easter.  Find the 1st Eucharist calendar HERE. Please contact John at johnm@holytrinitydm.org or call 255-3162 ext. 224.

Reconciliation

Reconciliation… the journey to forgiveness.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturdays from 3PM -3:45PM in the Reconciliation Room located at the back of our Church in the North East corner. Individuals may also schedule an appointment to celebrate the Sacrament by contacting Fr. Mark at 255-3162 ext. 126. In Addition, during Lent and Advent, the community celebrates the sacrament at an evening Penitential Service.

First Reconciliation helps children appreciate that God loves them and is always ready to forgive them. Preparation for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation normally takes place in the second grade. Essential for First Reconciliation preparation is attendance at Sunday Mass and preparation in faith formation classes either as a Holy Trinity School student or in Wednesday Night Faith Formation classes for public school students. You can find your 1st Reconciliation schedule HERE. Please contact John at johnm@holytrinitydm.org or 255-3162 ext. 224.

Confirmation

Confirmation completes our faith journey to full initiation in the Church. Confirmation is a Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of Baptismal gifts. The preparation process for Confirmation provides a time to explore one’s Catholic identity and what it means to be an adult follower of Christ. Holy Trinity Parish will celebrate Confirmation in the fall of one’s sophomore year of high school. During their freshman and sophomore years of high school, young people will enter into the preparation and formation for the Sacrament. Please contact Gigi at gigiw@holytrinitydm.org or 255-3162 ext. 226.

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is intended for those who are ill in body or mind. The Rite consists of the “Laying on of hands” and the anointing of the hands and forehead of the sick person. The illness need not be life threatening to receive the Sacrament. If someone is older or suffering with a chronic disease or addiction, it is common practice for people to be anointed and receive the special graces of this Sacrament. This is not to be confused with “last rites” which are reserved for those in danger of death. Twice a year, we celebrate a communal Anointing of the Sick in the Church. Watch the calendar for dates. Individuals may make an individual appointment for the Anointing of the Sick by contacting Fr. Mark at 255-3162 ext. 126.

Marriage

We welcome the opportunity to prepare and celebrate your marriage with you! Arrangements for marriage must be made at least 6 months in advance. One of the parties to be married must live within the parish boundaries, be a registered parishioner, or be an immediate family member of a parishioner. Weddings are celebrated on Friday evenings or Saturdays in the early afternoon. At Holy Trinity, we utilize Sponsor Couples who act as mentors to the engaged couple. Our marriage process consists of meeting with a Diocesan-wide Marriage Preparation Class, a Sponsor Couple who will conduct marriage preparation meetings in a more relaxed setting as well as taking a Pre-Marriage Inventory. Upon completion of these, you meet with Father Mark or one of our Deacons to finish your Marriage Preparation. Please contact the Parish Office at parishoffice@holytrinitydm.org or 255-3162 ext. 128 to begin the marriage process.

Priesthood, Diaconate, and Religious Life

The Sacrament of Holy Orders aligns the recipient to Christ by a special grace of the Holy Spirit, so that he may serve as Christ’s instrument for his Church. In the heart of the individual, a vocation to the priesthood manifests itself by a combination of appropriate talents and a God-given inclination to use those talents in the service of Christ and the Church as priest. Holy Trinity Parish as well as the Diocese of Des Moines’ Office of the Priesthood and Religious Life enthusiastically encourage and support men and women discerning or pursuing a vocation of service to our Catholic Church. Please contact the Diocese of Des Moines Vocation Office at 515-237-5014 about your vocation questions or the discernment process or visit www.vocationsonline.com .

A Deacon in the Catholic Church is an ordained minister. Deacons have a three-fold ministry: Minister of Charity-serving people in need; Minister of the Word-to live the Gospels daily through action, prayer, study, and preaching; Minister of Liturgy-serving at the altar, including performing Baptisms, witnessing marriages, and officiating at funerals. The Diaconate Program is a process of formation that brings reality to a man’s call to the Church. Please contact Diocese of Des Moines Director of Deacons at 515-237-5037 .

Individuals in religious life are consecrated to God by the public profession of poverty, chastity, and obedience, in a stable state of life (meaning a community) recognized by the Church. For some women and men, this might mean they will profess (take a vow) as a member of a religious community. Others may seek to become a lay professional in the Church.

RCIA-Joining the Catholic Church?

Holy Trinity would be happy to take this faith journey with you as well as answer any questions you may have about joining the Catholic Church. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the way by which people become full members of the Roman Catholic Church. Baptized Catholics/Christians are also welcome in RCIA if they are seeking First Eucharist and/or Confirmation, thus completing their initiation Sacraments as well. Know that Holy Trinity Church welcomes you or if you have been away, welcomes you back to our Catholic Church. Please contact Deacon Doug Renze at dougr@holytrinitydm.org or call the Parish Office at 255-3162 ext. 128.

Celebrations of Life (Catholic Funeral)

The death of one of our sisters and brothers is a significant event for us as the Church. It is a time when we, who loved the deceased person, mourn our loss. It is a time when we as a Church celebrate God’s gift of life and mark, with special rites and gatherings, the return of that life to our loving God. It is a time when the Church earnestly seeks to minister with compassion not only to the deceased but to the living which includes their family, friends, and parishioners as well. We want to help you on this difficult journey. If you need assistance with a funeral at Holy Trinity, contact the Parish Office at 255-3162 ext. 128.Â