Baptism

“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 you” (Mt 28:19-20).

“Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord’s will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism. The essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water on his head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 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.“

At St. John’s

If I am an adult seeking Baptism, what do I need to do?

We welcome all who want to receive the gift of divine life in the Catholic Church. Adults seeking Baptism should contact a priest or deacon at the Parish Center. There is a period of prayer, ritual, learning and fellowship that precedes Baptism. It is called Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Persons already baptized in another church can prepare to enter full communion in the Catholic Church and receive Eucharist and Confirmation. They will go through a similar program. One of our priests or deacons can assist them. Please give us a call at (978) 531-0002.

How do I arrange a Baptism for my child?

If you would like to have your child baptized you can call the parish center on weekdays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and the secretary will help to arrange a date for the sacrament. Only a parent or a legal guardian can request Baptism of their child. The priest or deacon who is scheduled for the monthly Baptism will follow up with a brief meeting to assist you. Baptism of children normally takes place on the second Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in the upper church. There is also a class each month for first time parents. We can also help parents who have school age children to prepare for their Baptism at a special time since they are older and can participate in ways that an infant or small child cannot. Please give us a call at (978) 531-0002.

Can anyone be godparent for my child?

A godparent is a spiritual role model for a person being Baptized. They must be a practicing, confirmed Catholic. They do not have to be present at the Baptism but can have a proxy or “stand in” take their place at the ceremony. There can be one godfather and one godmother, or one of each. In some cases a practicing Christian of another church can take the role of “Christian witness” along with at least one Catholic godparent.

Read more: Catechism of the Catholic Church

Penance / Confession / Reconciliation

Rejoice! The Church has the power to forgive all sins – no exceptions – provided there is an aversion to sin and a true desire to sin no more.

“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, “Jesus showed himself to his apostles. “He breathed on them, and said to them: Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (Jn 20: 19, 22-23)

- It is called the sacrament of Penance, since it consecrates the Christian sinner’s personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction.

- It is called the sacrament of Confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a “confession” – acknowledgment and praise – of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man.

- 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” - It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest’s sacramental absolution God grants the penitent “pardon and peace.” From the Catechism of the Catholic Church

At St. John’s

Read more: Catechism of the Catholic Church

First Communion / Eucharist

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; . . . he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and . . . abides in me, and I in him” (Jn 6:51, 54, 56).“

At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration are the bread and wine that, by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ’s Body and Blood. Faithful to the Lord’s command the Church continues to do, in his memory and until his glorious return, what he did on the eve of his Passion: “He took bread. . . .” “He took the cup filled with wine. . . .” The signs of bread and wine become, in a way surpassing understanding, the Body and Blood of Christ; they continue also to signify the goodness of creation… Having passed from this world to the Father, Christ gives us in the Eucharist the pledge of glory with him. Participation in the Holy Sacrifice identifies us with his Heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of this life, makes us long for eternal life, and unites us even now to the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints.” From the Catechism of the Catholic Church

At St. John’s

How can my child make his or her first communion?

We help parents prepare their children for their First Holy Communion, after the completion of first grade. The parent’s role is very important throughout the year, both for the child’s First Reconciliation (in January) and the First Communion (in April-May). Please call our Religious Education office at (978) 532-1586 to register your child before the school year begins.

What if my child is older than the second grade?

We will work with older children and their parents for a special preparation for First Communion. What is important is to determine how much the child already knows about the Catholic faith and practice. With a call to the Religious Education office you can begin to work out a plan that fits your child’s needs.

Can I request communion for a loved one who is homebound?

By all means! Please contact the parish and make your request. Our priests and deacons and communion ministers all make visits to homes in the parish to bring Communion to those who are sick or unable to come to Church for any reason.

Can I bring Communion to a relative or friend who is in the hospital or homebound?

To give the Eucharist to another, a Catholic must be trained and authorized. We prepare confirmed Catholics to become Communion Ministers with much care. To be eligible for this ministry a Catholic must live a life of faith and charity consistent with the gift of the Eucharist.

Confirmation

Marriage

“Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.” The Lord himself shows that this signifies an unbreakable union of their two lives by recalling what the plan of the Creator had been “in the beginning”:

“So they are no longer two, but one flesh.” (Gen 2, Mat 19)

“The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptized to the dignity of a sacrament.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.” From the Catechism of the Catholic Church

At St. John’s

What do I need to do to get married in the Catholic Church?

The first step is to arrange to meet with a priest or deacon by calling the Parish Center. A man or woman who has been a member of our parish, or whose family are members, may be married at Saint John’s. At your first meeting with the priest or deacon, you will learn what you need (such as Baptism and Confirmation records) and what will follow as preparation.

You should contact us at least six months before the date you have in mind for your wedding. We strongly recommend beginning this process a year or more before the intended date of marriage so that you and your fiancé will have adequate time to prepare for this lifetime of committed love. We often confirm weddings a year or more in advance.

Can I marry someone who is not a Catholic?

Yes, you can celebrate your marriage at Saint John’s or at another church but you need to work with a priest or deacon who will help you and your fiancé. Weddings with another baptized person must take place in a church of one party or the other. Catholic – Jewish weddings may be celebrated in a building other than a church out of respect for the religion of the non-Catholic.

Can I be married in the Catholic Church if I have been married before?

The church honors the marriage commitment that people make and so careful consideration must be given to a person’s previous marriage. There may be circumstances in which the church judges that a prior marriage is not binding for various reasons. The best thing to do is to contact a priest or deacon who can help you see what can and should be done.

Read more: Catechism of the Catholic Church

Annointing of the Sick