Sacraments

The Catechism of the Church states, “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit 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 in the word.” (CCC 1213)

Baptisms are celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month following the 11:30 AM Mass. Families are invited to attend the 11:30 Mass prior to the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism. Private Baptisms (outside of the usual schedule) can be arranged in case of extraordinary circumstances.

Parents are required to attend an online Pre-Baptismal course (formerly called Pre-Jordan class) if this is their first child to be baptized. Godparents are also encouraged to participate in the online course. The online course is self-paced and a certificate of completion is generated at the conclusion of the class. The course may be accessed here: 

Godparents must receive a letter of eligibility from the parish where they belong stating they are active members of their parish, are at least sixteen years old, have received Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist, and are prepared to assume the responsibilities of this spiritual role. If married, godparents must be married in accord with the laws of the Catholic Church.

Baptisms may be scheduled at least one month in advance by calling the parish office or by emailing parish@strichardchurch.org. Please contact the parish office with any questions on the sacrament of Baptism or details regarding godparent eligibility.

The Catechism teaches that “those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.” (CCC 1422)

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is available every Saturday afternoon from 3:30-4:15 PM in the Church. Confessions are also available before each Sunday Mass. Special Penance Services and extra opportunities for the Sacrament of Confession are offered seasonally, especially during Advent and Lent.

You may also make an appointment with Fr. Brody by calling the parish office during business hours to schedule a time for the Sacrament of Confession.

The Catechism teaches, “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.” (CCC 1322-1323)

Mass is celebrated daily at 8:30 AM from Monday to Saturday at St. Richard Church. Weekend Masses are celebrated on Saturday at 4:30 PM (Anticipated Mass for Sunday) and Sunday at 8:00 AM at St. Richard Church, 10:00 AM at Holy Spirit Church, and 11:30 AM at St. Richard Church. Please consult the bulletin for the Mass Schedule on Holy Days.

For information about receiving First Holy Communion, contact the Parish Office or our Coordinator of Elementary Faith Formation.

The Catechism teaches that “Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the sacraments of Christian initiation, whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. 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.” (CCC 1285)

The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated by the Archbishop or one of his Auxiliary Bishops at our parish each spring, with the date dependent on the bishop’s schedule.

For information about receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, contact the Parish Office or our Coordinator of Elementary Faith Formation.

In the Catechism of the Church, we read that “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.” (CCC 1601)

Christian Marriage is a very serious relationship of faithfulness, permanence, and life-giving generosity. The Church recognizes that she has a responsibility to help couples prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage. Couples wishing to be married must contact the parish office to speak with Fr. Brody at least six months before the wedding.

Please call the Parish Office for further information and to make an appointment to begin planning a Wedding at St. Richard’s.

The Catechism teaches, “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 (bishops), presbyterate (priests), and diaconate (deacons).” (CCC 1536)

The Sacrament of Holy Orders involves a period of seminary formation and discernment. If you or someone you know is considering a vocation to the priesthood or permanent diaconate, please contact Fr. Brody to discuss all that goes into the discernment process.

Additionally, information can be obtained from the Archdiocesan Office for Vocations and by visiting the website of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

According to the Catechism: “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.” (CCC 1499)

In case of serious illness of yourself or a family member, Fr. Brody will be happy to administer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. If you have a procedure or surgery scheduled or otherwise know that you or a loved one will be entering the hospital, you may also ask to celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing before or after the Mass you are attending.

To schedule an appointment for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, please call the Parish Office.

Adults who wish to join the Catholic faith or those who were baptized but are in need of the other Sacraments of Initiation should contact the Parish Office. Classes typically form each Fall, but can be tailored to the needs and time constraints of each person. We are happy to help anyone seeking to enter the Church and receive the Sacraments of Initiation.

“The rite of Christian initiation…is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully” (RCIA 1).

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a special Rite of the Church for individuals who desire to become Catholic and receive the sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. It is a rite that not only involves those seeking to enter into the Church, but those members of the parish community who provide instruction, witness, and sponsorship to them. In fact, the rite involves the entire parish community, by inviting the community to participate in the renewal of their own faith, as they accompany those entering into the Church on their spiritual journey towards sacramental initiation.

The purpose of the RCIA is to deepen ones relationship with God, especially as it pertains to Jesus and his Church. This is accomplished as the participants journey through four unique periods in the rite that allow them to delve into catechesis, experience the life of the parish community and it apostolic mission, and participate in the liturgical life of the Church.

The RCIA is designed to assist youth and adults who:

• have never been baptized, and wish to be baptized in the Catholic Church;
• have been baptized in another Christian tradition (Lutheran, Episcopalian, etc.) and wish to become Catholic;
• were baptized Catholic, but have not received First Eucharist and/or Confirmation