Sacraments
Baptism
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), 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: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word.”
–Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213
Parents that want to have their child baptized
can call the Ave Maria Church office at 320-563-4421
or by email at contact@avemariawheaton.org
Sponsor/Godparent Requirements (Paraphrased from the Code of Canon Law, Paragraphs 873-874)
A sponsor is an essential part of baptism and necessary to have for any person seeking baptism. If the person is an adult, the sponsor should be part of Christian initiation. If the person is an infant, the sponsor presents the child for baptism with the parents.
A sponsor is one who assists the person to be baptized with living a Christian life and fulfilling its obligations.
A sponsor can be male or female or one of each.
In order to be a sponsor, one must:
- Be designated by the one to be baptized, or in the case of an infant, the parents.
- Be 16 years of age or older.
- Have been baptized, confirmed and received first Eucharist.
- Lives a life in keeping with church teachings.
- Not be the mother or father of the one to be baptized.
A baptized person who belongs to another Christian tradition can be a witness of the baptism, but only with a Catholic sponsor.
First Holy Communion
The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the 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.
At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, 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.
–Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1322-1323
Students who are in the 2nd Grade will be prepared for
their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
First Communion was held on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
Confirmation
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.”
–Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1282, quoting Lumen Gentium 11
Students who are in the 10th Grade attend classes from October through March/April.
They are confirmed by either the Bishop
or one of his representatives.
Confirmation was held on Sunday, March 2, 2025
at Assumption Church in Morris.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
At Ave Maria Catholic Church, we offer an initiation process for:
- Adults who have never been baptized.
- Adults who have been baptized, but have not completed initiation sacraments of Eucharist and or Conformation.
- Children over the age of 7 who have not been baptized.
- Adults and children who have been baptized in another tradition and wish to become Roman Catholic.
Please call the Ave Maria Church office
at 320-563-4421 for more information
or email at contact@avemariawheaton.org
Marriage
The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.
–Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1601
To arrange the Sacrament of Marriage at
Ave Maria Catholic Church,
please call the church office at 320-563-4421
or email at contact@avemariawheaton.org
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.
–Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1536
“What is God asking me to do with my life?”
Maybe priesthood or religious life has been on your mind, or perhaps you are just curious to find out more about vocations at this time. Whatever it is that brought you here, take some time
to explore the many vocational possibilities the
Catholic Church has to offer. A good place to start is with the
Ave Maria Church office at 320-563-4421
or email at contact@avemariawheaton.org
Anointing of the Sick
“By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.”
–Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1499, quoting Lumen Gentium, 11
All of the Sacraments use symbols to help us reflect on the action of God in our lives. Oil has been used since ancient times to heal. Think of the ointments used when one burns themselves. Oil has been used to bolster strength. Ancient Greek wrestlers poured it on their bodies before a competition. There is no wonder oil is used as we encounter God at the time of suffering and illness.
Anointing of the Sick for you or a loved one can be arranged by calling the Ave Maria Church office at 320-563-4421
or email at contact@avemariawheaton.org