BAPTISM • RECONCILIATION • FIRST COMMUNION • CONFIRMATION
CAN I BE A GODPARENT/SPONSOR? • HOLY MATRIMONY
ANOINTING OF THE SICK • HOLY ORDERS
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)

Christ instituted seven sacraments. They are outward visible signs of God's grace given at special moments in a person's life. They help us live our lives more fully.
From time to time people inquire about the different requirements for receiving and participating in the reception of Sacraments. There exist certain regulations set forth by Canon Law and Diocesan Policy regarding the Sacraments. For clarity and information here is brief explanation and summary of these sacraments and regulations in addition to what can be found in the weekly bulletin.

Baptism (also called christening) is the first sacrament we receive and makes us members of the Church. At St. Joseph's Baptisms are celebrated during the weekend Masses upon request or after if schedule permits (No Baptisms are held during Lent). Advanced registration is required. Parents requesting Baptism for their child must be registered, active and participating members of the parish. This means that the parents are presently registered in the parish, attend Sunday Mass regularly, and support and participate in the life of the parish through the sharing of their time, talent and treasure. Those who belong to a different parish but are requesting baptism at St. Joseph must furnish a letter of permission and verification of parish membership from their pastor. Parents are to also participate in a parish sponsored baptism preparation class.
Parent Baptism Preparation Sessions are held as needed (please contact the Parish Office or refer to bulletin for specific dates). Parents anticipating a Baptism, and have not attended classes within three years, should call the Parish Office (330.274.2253) to arrange a class. If you believe raising your child as a Catholic-Christian is one of your most important duties as a parent, please call Sr. Joyce Schreiber at the Parish Office.

Godparents for Baptism: Traditionally, two people (one male and one female) are chosen to be godparents for baptism. Godparents are either two practicing Catholics, or one practicing Catholic and one practicing Christian of another faith. The Catholic godparent(s) must be at least 16 years of age, baptized and confirmed.

As the first Initiation Sacrament we receive, Baptism is a key event in the lives of those receiving it, their families, and the community of St. Joseph's. Many people in the parish give of their time to make Baptism a memorable experience.

Baptismal Font Maintenance - The baptismal font itself often needs routine maintenance, as well as regular cleaning. This is handled by Kevin Kotkowski.
Baptismal Gowns - For infants particularly, the tradition of a white baptismal garment adds to the beauty and solemnity of the occasion as a sign of the new life of Christ. The tradition of hand crafting baptismal garments for babies and small children and RCIA continues (the late Leona Redhead lovingly provided for many years, then Carol Cox & Kathy Singer, and now Annette Carlisle).

This sacrament brings us God's forgiveness through the words of a priest, makes us holy and reconciles us with God and the Church (previously called "Penance" or "Confession"). It is customary for children in second grade to receive this sacrament. Diocesan policy states that children must be enrolled in two consecutive years of religious formation (PSR classes or attend Catholic School) to participate. Parents and children are to also participate in the parish sponsored sacrament preparation program (see below). Students in grade two (along with their parents) are invited to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. This Sacrament must be made prior to receiving First Eucharist.

Preparation #1: Meeting for Parents about First Reconciliation
Sunday, November 6, 2011
10:00-11:00 a.m., All-Purpose Room

Preparation #2: Meeting for Parents & Children in preparation for First Reconciliation
Sunday, January 8, 2012
10:00 11:00 a.m., Hughes Hall

Celebration: Wednesday, January 25, 2012
7:00 p.m., Church

The faithful may receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation each Saturday, 4:00-4:30 p.m. prior to Mass or by appointment. Additional opportunities to receive the sacrament during Advent and Lent are also offered (including Reconciliation Services with the parishes of Portage County). Please refer to the parish bulletin or Parish News page.

Communion is often called the greatest sacrament because Christ himself is present in the consecrated bread and wine.
It is customary for children in second grade to receive this sacrament. Diocesan policy states that children must be enrolled in two consecutive years of religious formation (PSR classes or attend Catholic School) to participate. Parents and children are to also participate in the parish sponsored sacrament preparation program. Preparation for the Sacrament of Eucharist takes place in second grade for PSR students (see schedule below).

Preparation #1: Meeting for Parent/s and Child preparing for First Eucharist
Sunday, March 11, 2012
10:00-11:00 a.m., Hughes Hall

Preparation #2: Retreat for Parents and Child preparing for First Eucharist
Saturday, April 28, 2012
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Hughes Hall and Church

Celebration: Sunday, May 6, 2012
1:00 p.m. Church
Followed by Group/Individual Pictures

Confirmation bestows the special seal or mark of the Holy Spirit. It gives those receiving the special spiritual energy to make Jesus known in the world, and the courage to live the way Jesus would like them to live. It is customary for children in 8th grade to receive this sacrament. Diocesan policy states that children must be enrolled in two consecutive years of religious education (PSR classes or attend Catholic School) to participate. Parents and children are to also participate in the parish sponsored sacrament preparation program (see schedule below).
The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated every year at St. Joseph's. Preparation meetings for parents and candidates, practice, and celebration are to be determined.
Sponsors for Confirmation: Traditionally one person is chosen to be a sponsor for Confirmation. This person must be at least 16 years of age, baptized, confirmed and a practicing active Catholic. Please keep in mind a parent may not be a sponsor for their child.

Confirmation Schedule 2011-2012

Preparation #1: Mass and Rite of Election for all Confirmation Candidates & Parents
Sunday, November 27, 2011
8:30 a.m. Mass followed by
Prep. Session for all Candidates and Parents
9:40-11:00 a.m., Hughes Hall

Preparation #2: Meeting of Candidate and Sponsors
December 18, 2011 - January 22, 2012
Place & Time - to be determined by candidate and sponsor

Preparation #3: Confirmation Retreat for candidates (w/OLPH)
Saturday, January 28, 2012
12:30-6:00 p.m. (includes Mass attendance)
Hughes Hall, Church

Preparation #4: Meeting for all Candidates
Sunday, January 29, 2012
10:00-10:45 a.m., Hughes Hall
Bring Candidate/Sponsor responses and forms

Preparation #5: Mass and Reconciliation for Candidates, Sponsors & Parents
followed by reception in Hughes Hall
Saturday, March 10, 2012
5:00 p.m., Church

Preparation #6: Confirmation Practice
Sunday, March 18, 2012
9:40-11:00 a.m., Church

Celebration: Monday, March 19, 2012
7:00 p.m. Mass and Confirmation
Followed by a reception of appetizers and pictures in Hughes Hall

Your Faith Journey Continues:
Next Step #1: Attend the 8:30 a.m. Mass together as a Confirmation Class.
Sunday, March 25, 2012, Process in and sit in front pews.
Fr. will present you to the St. Joseph Community as fully initiated members. Special Blessing. Process out to Hughes Hall and participate in Donut Sunday so the parish can congratulate you. Complete ministry form and return it before you leave.

Next Step #2: Attend the Life Teen Orientation Mass and Eighth Grade Welcome.
Sunday, April 15, 2012, 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Next Step #3: Decide to get involved in any of the many ministries here at St. Joseph Parish. (Mass Server, Lector, Catechist Aide, Garden Club Member, Office Volunteer, Giving Tree Helper, etc., etc.)

Questions/Concerns, call Mrs. Haney, 330.274.2268
OR
Leave a message and I will return your call ASAP
OR
Email: phaney@stjosephmantua.com
OR Stop in the PSR office (former school principal's office).

CAN I BE A GODPARENT/SPONSOR?
Parents are asked to please remember that when choosing Catholic godparents for a child who is being baptized, the godparent must be a fully-initiated member of the Catholic Church and a practicing Catholic. "Fully-initiated" means that the person must have been baptized, confirmed and receives the Eucharist. "Practicing" means that the person must attend Mass regularly and support the mission of the parish. (Please keep in mind that Canon Law states that if a person has not celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Catholic Church, he or she cannot be a godparent for baptism nor a sponsor for confirmation). A parent cannot be a sponsor for Confirmation. Sponsor certificates are not required here at St. Joseph's. However, if you will be needing a sponsor certificate (perhaps for another Diocese), we can provide that to registered St. Joseph parishioners.

This sacrament, received when a husband and wife pronounce their marriage vows, gives the grace for two people to join their lives together until death. The husband and wife perform this sacrament for each other. The priest is only the official church witness of this sacrament.

Is a wedding in your future? In recent years, the Catholic Church has increasingly recognized the importance of a thorough religious preparation for engaged couples before they enter into Christian marriage. Couples desiring to be married at St. Joseph Parish are to contact the priest at least 6 months before the intended wedding date. The pastor meets with prospective brides and grooms and by using interviews, questionnaires and retreats, the parish priest helps them understand the importance of the step they are taking as they enter into this lifelong covenant. The bride and/or groom must be a registered, active and participating member of the parish. This means that the Catholic party(ies) are presently registered in the parish; attend weekend Mass regularly; and supports and participates in the life of the parish through the sharing of their time, talent and treasure. Those who belong to a different parish but are requesting marriage here, must furnish a letter of permission and verification of parish membership from their pastor. In addition, the couple must participate in a parish sponsored marriage preparation program.
There is expert, one-to-one assistance available to engaged couples as they contemplate their church wedding. Our coordinators, Chuck Casalicchio and Annette Carlisle, help them at the rehearsal, ceremony, and with other details as needed (in addition to meetings with the pastor). The fee for their assistance is $100.00.
One of the first things to do when planning your wedding is to contact the Parish Office @ 330.274.2253. Click here to view St. Joseph's Wedding Policy or Wedding Planning Music Guidelines.

Validation of Marriage ~ Catholic Church law ordinarily requires baptized Roman Catholics to marry before a priest or deacon. Unless they requested and received a “dispensation from canonical form,” Catholics who exchange marriage vows in the presence of only ministers from other religious traditions or authorized civic officials are not considered validly married in the eyes of the Catholic Church. Later, those couples may seek to have their union officially recognized by the Church. In technical Church terms, this is known as convalidation of a marriage. Regardless of why couples marry outside the Church and later seek a Church wedding, the benefits of convalidation are enormous: peace of heart, oneness with the Church, reception of the Sacrament of Matrimony and God’s special blessing upon the marriage. Couples who are married civilly but not in the Church are invited to inquire about the recognition and blessing of their marriage before the Catholic Church. Please contact the pastor at the Parish Office at 330.274.2253 about beginning the marriage validation process.

Would you like to enrich your marriage? Rediscover each other and together focus on your relationship at a Marriage Encounter Weekend. The emphasis of Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a marriage enrichment program, is on communication between husband and wife, who spend a weekend together away from the distractions and the tensions of everyday life, to concentrate on each other. It's not a retreat, nor a marriage clinic, nor group sensitivity. It's a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Christian Marriage. This is a time for you and your spouse to be alone together. To rediscover each other and together focus on your relationship for an entire weekend. Every marriage deserves that kind of attention! For more information, visit the Worldwide Marriage Encounter web site.

Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi, meaning Help Our Marriage) is for couples experiencing poor communication, conflict, hurt, anger, lack of intimacy and boredom in marriage. Someone once said "marriages may be made in heaven, but they sure take a lot of work on earth." Retrouvaille can help you and your spouse put your marriage back on track. If you think your marriage is hurting, please visit www.retrouvaille.org or call 330.979.7787 for confidential information.

Process of Annulment ~ An annulment is a declaration by the Church that a particular marriage is not valid. The Church grants annulments in specific cases after careful consideration of circumstances, always in light of fostering the most life-giving relationships. Should you want more information on the annulment process or to talk over your situation, please contact the pastor at the Parish Office (330.274.2253).

This sacrament is for the seriously ill, the infirm and the very old. The sacrament of the sick sanctifies sufferings, increases grace, forgives sins and makes us ready for heaven. The parish typically holds Anointing of the Sick Masses once or twice a year.
We pray for those that are sick or are in need of healing whether it be physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. This sacrament of healing derives from the ministry of Jesus and has been practiced in the Church from its earliest days as we find recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. It calls upon the power of the Holy Spirit, the prayer of the believing community, the ministry of the ordained, and the baptismal faith of the individual presented for anointing. This sacrament carries the promise of the strengthening presence of God who says to the sick, "Be not afraid. I am with you." Further, when the Anointing is celebrated in a Eucharistic Liturgy, our communion in the Body of Christ is both affected and witnessed. "You are not alone," Christ speaks through his Body, both in sacrament and in the people of God.
Reasons to ask for the anointing include: having a chronic illness, mental or emotional illness, the infirmity of old age, impending surgery, a condition of permanent or temporary disability, diagnosis of serious ill health.
Please be sure to call the Parish Office with any special prayer requests or any concerns for which you would like prayers. Those anticipating surgery and/or a hospital stay should be anointed. This can be requested at any time and it is encouraged that those wishing to be anointed contact the parish well in advance of going to the hospital or having the surgery. St. Joseph Church wants to be with you at these times in your life.

Hospital/Nursing Home Visitation: Please be aware, due to patient privacy regulations and laws, hospital and health care facilities (i.e. Nursing homes, Rehab Centers) will no longer contact the parish unless the patient or an immediate family member (with the patient's permission) specifically requests notification be made.

Publication of Names of Parishioners who are ill and deceased members: Due to privacy regulations and laws, the names of parishioners who are ill can appear in the parish bulletin only if it is specifically requested by the person or by an immediate family member with the person's permission. The name of a deceased member will be included in the weekend Prayers of the Faithful and the bulletin only after publication in the newspaper.

HOLY ORDERS
This sacrament gives priests the power to forgive sins, anoint the sick, change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, and to perpetuate Jesus' sacrifice, which is the Mass. Through Holy Orders, priests and bishops receive the Spirit's grace to guide the church and take care of the people of God. For information on religious life, please contact the Diocese of Youngstown's Director of Vocations, Fr. Chris Luoni, at 330.678.0240, visit the Diocese's vocations website, or check out our Links page.

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