Sacraments
"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.
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 in 7th-9th grade. More information can be found on the Confirmation page.
If you are an adult who has not been Confirmed or are interested in becoming Catholic, please contact Deacon MJ Kersenbrock.
Eucharist / Communion
"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 in 3rd grade through our
Religious Education Program and St. Mary's Catholic School.
Preparation for First Eucharist for adults is done through the OCIA program. Contact
Deacon MJ Kersenbrock
with questions.
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. Any one 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."
Contact the Parish Office at 402-336-1602 or in the case of an after office hours emergency, please call the emergency line at 402-340-0277 to reach a priest. (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
Jesus Christ personally calls men in prayer to serve as priests and deacons. If you have heard that call, we encourage you to contact one of our parish priests, Father Starman or Father Burkhalter.