The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
CCC 1210: Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), 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: (Ref 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 1211: Following this analogy, the first chapter will expound the three sacraments of Christian initiation; the second, the sacraments of healing; and the third, the sacraments at the service of communion and the mission of the faithful. This order, while not the only one possible, does allow one to see that the sacraments form an organic whole in which each particular sacrament has its own vital place. In this organic whole, the Eucharist occupies a unique place as the "Sacrament of sacraments": "all the other sacraments are ordered to it as to their end." (Ref 2)
1 Cf. St. Thomas Aquinas, STh III,65,1.
2 St. Thomas Aquinas, STh III,65,3.
Baptism
Contact the Parish staff for information regarding Baptism Prep class for a child’s baptism and for information regarding adult baptism and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The phone number is 412-766-6660.
Acts 2:38: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist represents the Last Supper, the night Jesus was betrayed, Our Lord and Savior gave to the Apostles the Eucharistic which our Lord Jesus sacrifice his Body and Blood for eternal life.
The Eucharist is the celebration of the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church. The consecration of bread and wine is the Blessed Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Confirmation
This sacrament is celebrated through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and through the Confirmation Mass for CCD students. For more information regarding RCIA and CCD, contact the Rectory at 412-766-6660.
"Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit - his actions, his gifts, and his biddings - in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. The latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands." Cathecism of the Catholic Church, 1309
Reconciliation
The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as the Sacrament of Penance, or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness, and as a result we are called to forgive others.
Penance is scheduled on Saturdays at 8:30 am at Assumption Parish.
Annointing of the Sick
If you, or someone you love, are ill and/or in need of a priest please contact the rectory at 412-766-6660. Also call to make arrangements for Eucharistic Ministers to deliver communion to the ill and infirm residents of our Catholic community at home, hospital or nursing home.
Holy Orders
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of Christ's priesthood, which He bestowed upon His Apostles; thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to the Sacrament of Holy Orders as "the sacrament of apostolic ministry."
If you are discerning a vocation in serving God, contact Father David Green at 412-766-6660 or www.pghpriest.com.
Holy Matrimony
For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God's values.
Arrangements must be made in person at least six months in advance. For any questions, contact the Parish staff at 412-766-6660.