Celebrating the Sacraments
Sacraments and Sacramental Policies
Baptism
Birth to Age Seven: Children from birth to age seven will be baptized according to the Rite of Baptism for Children. Parents requesting baptism for their children should be registered parishioners of Our Lady of La Salette.
A preparation session for parents and godparents is required. Please contact the parish offices for more information at least two months before the month of baptism.
Age Eight to Age Fourteen: Baptism and the other sacraments of initiation for these children who have not received the sacraments at the traditional age or who have been baptized in another Christian community will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
The decision to use the Rite of Baptism for Children or the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults will be made in consultation with the pastor, the appropriate members of the pastoral team and the staff of the religious education department. The religious education department will provide catechesis for these children.
Age Fifteen and Older: These young people will be prepared for the sacraments of initiation according to the norms of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Formation will normally take place through the parish R.C.I.A. process.
First Eucharist
The First Eucharist Program is a two-year process normally beginning with the first grade. Older children are prepared on an individual basis.
The parish believes that parents play an important role in the sacramental preparation of their child through weekly participation and celebration at Mass; attendance at parent meetings and the parent-child retreat and assistance in completion of the child's First Eucharist Book.
We know that children's understanding of Eucharist at this age is developed through parents, catechists, and religious education staff members. The celebration and reception of First Eucharist takes place in the spring.
Confirmation
Students in the seventh grade prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. They explore the meaning of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit through their Confirmation books. Our Confirmation candidates also apply their knowledge of the material learned for Confirmation through their take-home books. Service projects are an important part of the preparation process. The candidates share their booklets at an interview.
The celebration of the sacrament takes place in the eighth grade. Our confirmandi are reminded that Confirmation is not the end, but the beginning of their lifelong commitment as adult Catholic Christians.
Reconciliation
Children age seven and older are welcomed, assisted and encouraged to celebrate this sacrament. The important indicators of a child's readiness for this sacrament are a desire for forgiveness and trust in God's forgiving love; the ability to know right from wrong, the ability to express sincere sorrow; the awareness of the need for change and the ability to describe wrongdoing in his/her own words.
According to archdiocesan policy, most children celebrate their First Reconciliation prior to First Eucharist. According to archdiocesan policy, most children celebrate their First Reconciliation prior to First Eucharist.
Anointing of the Sick
Once called Extreme Unction, this sacrament has taken on a different tone since Vatican II. Following the words of St. James (5:14-15), the church is called to celebrate this sacrament of healing with those individuals who suffer from a physical, emotional, or spiritual illness.
Our Lady of La Salette Parish celebrates a communal Mass of the Anointing of the Sick annually; but anyone in need of the sacrament at other times of the year is invited to call the pastor to make arrangements.
Marriage
God's special blessings are upon those who are called to the sacrament of marriage in the Roman Catholic Church. The following information will help in the proper planning for the wedding celebration.
Setting the Date: For couples wishing to marry at Our Lady of La Salette Church, either the bride or the groom must be a registered member of the parish in good standing for at least six months. The Archdiocese of Detroit requires a minimum six-month preparation period before the wedding. (The Pastor may grant exceptions to this rule.)
All couples must meet with the priest or deacon before setting their wedding date. Absolutely no dates, availability, or date changes will be made over the telephone. Please call the parish office to contact the priest or deacon to begin the preparation for a wedding.
Wedding Hours: Weddings may take place Fridays between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. On Saturdays, weddings may normally take place at 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. only. The church will be open two hours before the actual time of the ceremony for pictures, flowers, and set up, etc. and remain open for forty-five minutes after the ceremony provided no other liturgical celebration is taking place (i.e., another parish liturgy, wedding, or funeral).
Pre-Marital Inventory: The priest or deacon assisting the couple's preparation for the sacrament of marriage will use a professional pre-marital inventory to guide the process. The fee for the inventory varies and will be discussed at the first meeting with the priest or deacon. This fee covers only the actual cost of the inventory.
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church. It is a threefold mission to lead, advise and minister to God's people. The sacrament of Holy Orders calls men to formal ministry in the Church as deacons, priests or bishops. We pray that more men will respond to God's call to ordained ministry