the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church

Please contact the rectory of St. Edward Church for more information in celebrating the sacraments. 234.5444

ANOINTING of the SICK is celebrated individually and communally. Great care and concern should be taken to see that those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age receive this sacrament.

The sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after being anointed and then again fall ill or if during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious.

A sick person may be anointed before surgery whenever a serious illness is the reason for the surgery.

Elderly people may be anointed if they have become notably weakened even though no serious illness is present.

BAPTISM begins a person’s initiation into the life of the Church. The parish provides a preparation class for “first-time” parents. Please contact the rectory in advance of the birth of your child to prepare for the baptism of your child.

Adults are initiated into the life of the Church through a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation. The process usually begins in the fall and candidates are baptized or received into the Church at the Easter Vigil.

CONFIRMATION is celebrated after a period of preparation, usually held in the 7^th and 8^th grade. The Bishop of Covington, or his designee, celebrates this sacrament of Initiation, usually every other year.

Those baptized Catholic but beyond grade school age prepare for the sacrament which is celebrated by the Bishop of Covington on the feast of Pentecost each year at the Cathedral.

HOLY COMMUNION is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of May. Young parishioners are prepared for to receive their First Communion in the second grade.

Holy Communion is brought to our parishioners who are unable to attend Mass (short-term and long-term). They are asked to contact the parish office make arrangements.

HOLY ORDERS is a sacrament of service in the church. If you know someone who may be interested in living his life as a deacon or priest, please contact the pastor. A candidate for Holy Orders should show a concern for others, and possibly already be involved in the life and ministry of the Church.

MARRIAGE those wishing to celebrate the sacrament are asked to contact the parish office at least six months in advance of the proposed wedding date. It is recommended that a wedding ceremony occur in the church where a person is registered and attends Mass regularly. Depending on the religious traditions of both the bride and groom the Church celebrates the Rite of Marriage inside or outside of Mass. Wedding Guidelines are available and usually given to the couple at the first meeting with the pastor.

PENANCE is regularly celebrated on Saturday afternoon from 4:45 – 5:15 p.m. or by appointment.

Communal Penance Services, with individual confessions, are held in Advent and Lent. These services are announced in the Sunday Bulletin.

First Penance is usually celebrated in the winter months after the child has been prepared to receive this sacrament in the second grade.