"Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life:1 they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life." (CCC 1210). On this page you will find information about each of the Sacraments as well as instructions pertaining on how to prepare for them.
The Sacraments
Baptism
"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission." [CCC 1213]
Often baptism in the Catholic Church is for infants. There is a different type of preparation for adults. To set up a time for Baptism. please contact the parish office at 402-336-1602.
Confirmation
"The sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed." [CCC 1285]
At St. Patrick's/St. Joseph's-Amelia, preparation for Confirmation happens for those who are age 13 and above every other year. Contact the parish office for more information.
If you are an adult who has not been Confirmed or are interested in becoming Catholic. Please see details about RCIA .
Eucharist
"The Holy Eucharist completes Christian Initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. Christ gave us the Eucharist as " a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ' in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace and a pledge of future glory is given to us." [CCC 1322, 1323]
Preparation for First Eucharist for children is done through our Religious Education Program and St. Mary's Catholic School.
Preparation for First Eucharist for adults is done through the RCIA program.
Reconciliation
The Lord brings the forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation
"It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the life of God who reconciles: "Be reconciled to God". He who lives by God's merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord's call: "Go; first be reconciled to your brother." [CCC 1142]
Confession is regularly offered on Saturday's at 4:00-4:45pm or by appointment.
Anointing of the Sick
By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayers of the priest the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them." [CCC 1499]
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill and not only for those who are at the point of death. Anyone of the faithful who begins to be in the danger of death from sickness or old age may receive this sacrament.
Viaticum, the Last Sacrament of the Christian, is offered for those who are about to leave this life. In addition to the Anointing of the sick, Eucharist is offered. Communion in the body and blood of Christ received at this moment of "passing over" to the Father has a particular significance and importance. It is the seed of eternal life and the power of the resurrection, according to the words of the Lord: " He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day."
In the case of an emergency please call the emergency line at 402-340-0277.
(This line does not receive text)
Holy Matrimony
The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life. [CCC 1661]
Click the button below for more information about Marriage and Wedding preparation.
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. [CCC 1536]
Jesus Christ personally calls men in prayer to serve as priests and deacons. If you have heard that call we encourage you do contact one of our parish priests.