Sacraments


Sacraments

The Latin word sacramentum means "a sign of the sacred." The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence. That's what theologians mean when they say that sacraments are at the same time signs and instruments of God's grace.

If you are a parishioner at St. Dominic’s and who will receive a sacrament at another parish, you will be asked to provide a letter of good standing. Please fill out the form below and submit it to Karen Mitchell at the parish office, by e-mail to karen@stdominics.org or by fax at 567-1608. The letter will be sent directly to the church where the sacrament will take place, and a copy will be sent the parishioner for your records. Please allow 5-10 days for the letter to be sent.

The sacraments at OLMC Pokhran:  

Baptism

Registered parishioners are invited to have their children baptized at St. Dominic's. Baptisms take place on Saturday mornings with individual families. Groups of 20 people or fewer are scheduled in the Baptistry; larger groups are scheduled in the Lady Chapel. (The Lady Chapel is never used when an event is already scheduled on the Main Altar.)

In preparing for your child's baptism:

  • Parents must be active, registered parishioners at St. Dominic's Catholic Church.
  • Parents and godparents are required to attend one of our Baptism Classes, offered every third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. If the godparent is out of town, he or she may attend a class at one's local parish and send us a letter of good standing to that effect.
Before a baptism date can be set, please submit the completed Baptismal Questionnaire to Karen Mitchell at the parish office or by email at karen@stdominics.org. If you prefer to fax the form, the fax number is 567-1608.

Choosing Godparents:

  • There are two godparents only, who should be chosen based on one's ability to help you raise your child in the belief and teachings of the Catholic Church.
  • Godparents are active, registered parishioners of their parish, 1 must be Catholic and both must be baptized Christians.

Checklist:

  • Have you sent in the Baptismal Questionnaire?
  • Have you attended the Baptism Class?
  • Have you received a confirmation of the date, time and location?
  • Have you chosen readings and readers for the Baptism?
  • Have the godparents attended the Baptism class?
  • Have you sent in letters of good standing for the godparents from out-of-town?

These readings will help parents plan the Baptismal Celebration:

  • Baptismal Readings (PDF, 130 K) Please submit your choice of readings to Karen Mitchell one week before your family's scheduled baptism. You can send them via e-mail at karen@stdominics.org or by fax at 567-1608.
For older children age 7 and up seeking baptism:
  • RCIA (adapted for older children) requires participation in Family and Children's Faith Formation (FCFF) or Youth Ministry. Monthly children's catechemunate sessions for children candidates and parents are scheduled through the DRE. Participants must complete an FCFF registration, found here in Engilsh (for Spanish, click here). Contact the DRE, Michael Smith, at (415) 674-0446 or dre@stdominics.org.
For adults age 18 and up seeking baptism:
The Sacrament of Baptism in the Catholic Church
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded of you" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Baptism is the first sacrament celebrated in the process of becoming a full member of the Church community. It is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
Baptism is, like all the sacraments, a gift from God. Water is the universal symbol. Water is absolutely essential for all life. Water cleanses and restores. It is the waters of Baptism which give us new life. In accordance, through Baptism we also die to our old sinful selves in order to be restored and resurrected in the new life of Christ.

"The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ." -- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1279

Eucharist

Communion for the Home-bound
Please contact Sr. Anne Bertain, O.P., 415 674-0432, if you or a family member cannot attend Mass and
1st Communion May '10
would like to have the Eucharist brought to your home.
First Communion for Children
The Family and Children Faith Formation Program is available for children who need sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, or Confirmation. Regular classes are held Sunday mornin
gs from 10:30-11:30AM from September until May in Megan Furth Academy School building at St. Dominic's. For information contact Michael Smith at DRE@stdominics.org or (415) 674-0446. Registration forms for the 2010-2011 school year are available at the parish office, at the entrances to the church, or for download here in English and Spanish.
First Communion for Adults
Adults interested in participating in full communion with the Catholic Church are invited to participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.
Contact the parish office for more information.
The Sacrament of the Eucharist in the Catholic Church
Jesus said: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; ...he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and ... abides in me, and I in him" (John 6:51, 54, 56).
One of the seven sacraments of the Church, indeed the greatest of the sacraments, described by the Church in this way:
"The Most Holy Eucharist is the most august sacrament, in which Christ the Lord himself is contained, offered and received, and by which the Church constantly lives and grows. The Eucharistic Sacrifice, the memorial of the death and resurrection of the Lord, in which the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated over the centuries, is the summit and the source of all Christian worship and life; it signifies and effects the unity of the people of God and achieves the building up of the Body of Christ. The other sacraments and all the ecclesiastical works of the apostolate are closely related to the Holy Eucharist and are directed to it." -- Canon Law 897.
Although the Eucharist is one sacrament, there are three essential aspects to which the Church points: (1) sacrifice; (2) communion; (3) Real Presence of Christ.
The Church calls the faithful to respond in faith to these three aspects of the Eucharist:
"The faithful are to hold the Eucharist in highest honor, taking part in the celebration of the Most August Sacrifice, receiving the sacrament devoutly and frequently, and worshiping it with supreme adoration...." -- Canon Law 898.

Confirmation

Confirmation for Youth
Youth Confirmation May 2010Confirmation and faith formation classes are available for youth grades 7 and up. For youth also seeking Baptism, formal reception into the Catholic Church, 1st Reconciliation, or 1st Communion, their participation in Youth Group and Confirmation classes are supplemented by the RCIA process adapted for older children/teens. Overview of our 2-year Confirmation journey. Teens in grades 9-12 should also look into our Teen Youth Group at www.stdominics.org/formation/youth
Confirmation and faith formation classes are held once a month on Sunday mornings from 10:30-11:30AM from September until May in Megan Furth Academy School building. 7th-8th grade Junior High and 9-12th Grade Teen Youth Groups meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from 4:00-5:30pm in the Aquinas and Siena Room. For information contact Michael Smith at DRE@stdominics.org or (415) 674-0446. Registration forms for the 2010-11 school year are available at the parish office, at the entrances to the church, or for download below.

2010-2011 FCFF Registration Form in English or Spanish.

2010-2011 Confirmation and Youth Group Schedule.

Confirmation for Adults

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is available for all those interested in becoming Catholic and for adult Catholics who have never been confirmed. Regular sessions are held every Tuesday (September through Easter), 7:00 p.m. in the parish hall until reception of sacraments at the Easter Vigil or Pentecost Masses. Sign-ups begin in the Fall. Rite of Initiation occurs during Advent, and a special retreat will take place shortly thereafter. Contact Scott Moyer: 674-0422 or scott@stdominics.org.
The Sacrament of Confirmation in the Catholic Church
"Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:14-17).
Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.

Anointing of the Sick

This sacrament is for the elderly, the seriously ill, or those scheduled for surgery. The rite of Anointing of the Sick is offered by special appointment with one of our parish priests.
Contact the parish office for more details.
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick in the Catholic Church

"Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven" (James 5:14-15).

The sacrament of Anoiniting of the Sick has as its purpose the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age. The proper time for receiving this holy anointing has certainly arrived when the believer begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age. Each time a Christian falls seriously ill, he may receive the Anointing of the Sick, and also when, after he has received it, the illness worsens.
The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects:
  • the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church;
  • the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
  • the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance (Confession/Reconcilation);
  • the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul;
  • the preparation for passing over to eternal life.

Marriage Preparation at St. Dominic's

Planning to get married? Congratulations! We rejoice with you! We hope you will use this special time to deepen your relationship. A wedding is only for a day; a marriage is for a lifetime. Some people wish to marry at St. Dominic's; others wish to be married elsewhere. Some mixed-religion couples wish to be married by a minister or rabbi, but want their marriage recognized by the Church. Whatever your circumstances, we wish to be of service.

Whom can we prepare for marriage?

Sorry, we can't prepare everyone, but we can help those who are:
  • Already registered parishioners (at least one year) or someone who lives within the parish boundaries;
  • An associate member who has the permission of your own pastor;
  • Someone who has a special circumstance. Please write a letter explaining your circumstances to the Pastor, Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, and secure at a later date the permission of your own pastor.

How long does it take?

The Archdiocese has a number of requirements; one is a six-month preparation period.

Do you plan to marry at another parish?

We will prepare your required paperwork here and send it to the parish where you will be married. A total fee of $400 covers all of the classes required for preparation (see below for more information on fees).

What are the fees?

The $200 deposit required in step 1 (below) is included in the fees listed here.
  • FOCCUS & preparation: $400
  • Wedding Coordinator & Church Rental:
    • $900 for parishioners & associates
    • $2,000 for non-parishioners
  • Music fees are additional
We don't turn away couples because of financial hardship. Talk to the priest assigned about what arrangements can be made.

What are the steps?

1
To begin the process, or have your questions answered, please call Karen Mitchell at (415) 674-0449 to request a wedding packet. If you are not a parishioner or an associate member, please write a letter directly to the pastor to explain your special circumstances, and Karen will contact you.
In order to serve you, Karen will have to ask whether either one of you has been married, even in a civil ceremony. (If previously married and the former spouse is alive, we need to secure an annulment. Sorry, no wedding date can be set until both parties are free to marry; the timing will vary depending on the case.)
2
Once you have received the wedding packet, please return the parishioner data and date request forms with a deposit ($200) in order to begin the wedding preparation.
3
Attend the Introductory Wedding Classes Six Months before the Marriage. Second Wednesdays (Aquinas Room), & Second Thursdays (Siena Room), 7:30 p.m. The first class both explains the process and provides an introduction to marriage; the second class is a pizza dinner and discussion on "Alive Marriages." The classes are offered to the couples on consecutive Wednesday and Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. We understand that schedules conflict; if need be, special arrangements can be made by the priest who will be assigned to you.
4
Take the FOCCUS. This is a wonderful opportunity for you as a couple to learn each other's ideas about the different aspects that make a good marriage, and to identify those areas that still need to be discussed.
The couple may take the FOCCUS inventory in the Parish Office any evening or weekend once their date has been approved or even before you attend the classes. No appointment is needed. You will be put in separate rooms with the test: please fill in the circle completely. The test may take 45-90 minutes. Once the tests are processed, they are sent to Helen Doneux, our Marriage & Family Counselor, who will contact you and set a time to meet with you both.
5
Start Meeting with the Priest. Once you've reviewed the FOCCUS test with Helen Doneux, call the priest you are working with to set up three meetings with him. These meetings will explore the spirituality of the marriage, deepening your relationship, handling conflict and improving your communication.
6
Attend a Preparatory Weekend Class. In addition to both classes at St. Dominic's, one of the following classes is required to complete your preparation.
7
Attend a Natural Family Planning Class. First Thursdays (Aquinas Room), 7:00 p.m. Susan McConneloug presents a monthly class for engaged or married couples on "Natural Paths to Understanding your Fertility." Susan specializes in the Creighton Model Fertility System. Please register for the class by calling Susan at (415) 459-3860.
8
Plan the Wedding Ceremony if you are marrying at St. Dominic's.
  1. Meet with Pat Berberich, our wedding coordinator, (415) 567-7824. Pat will assist you with questions regarding flowers, photography, wedding processions, and other details for your ceremony.
  2. Attend the Wedding Music Seminar and plan the music with Simon Berry, Director of Liturgy & Music, (415) 567-7824.
  3. Plan ceremony: Choose readings and prayers with your priest or deacon.

What paperwork is required?

Paperwork is always required! Please get the paperwork as soon as possible. Don't delay to the end.
  1. Catholics will have to secure a reissued Baptismal Certificate from the parish of the Baptism. Parishes need only be contacted, and they usually send the form to you or to us quickly.
  2. If one of the couple is Baptized non-Catholic, any Baptismal Record, or photocopy of one, will suffice. Failing that an affidavit of a parent or attendee will suffice.
  3. Partially completed Form A (1 for bride & 1 for groom). We provide this form, please fill in the front side, the back side will be filled in by the priest.
  4. Form B Witness (2 for each). Your witnesses can fill out their Form B at any Catholic Church, or you can bring your witnesses to St. Dominic's and we can help them.
  5. If one of the couple is not a Catholic, we will secure permission to marry a non-Catholic. You should have discussed in advance the issue of rearing the children as Catholic.
  6. If you are marrying outside the diocese, we will need to know the name of the officiant, the parish, the place and the date of the wedding.
  7. Some couples who are marrying a non-Catholic wish to have their marriage celebrated by a non-Catholic minister or rabbi, or by a Justice of the Peace. We will need to know the reasons for this special request so that we can seek the required dispensation. Please supply the name of the officiant as well as the place and date of the marriage so that it can be properly registered.
  8. If either party has been previously married, and the former spouse is still living, then additional steps need to be taken. The steps and timetable required will depend on the particular case. Contact Karen Mitchell at (415) 674-0449 to answer any questions.

Some useful documents for planning your wedding:

Funerals

When planning for a funeral at St. Dominic's Church, the following documents may be of use:




Extrordinary Eucharist Ministers
Altar Servers
Pre-baptismal Course
Baptism
First Holy Communion
Confession
Confirmation
Marriage
Relgious Order
Priestly Order
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