Sacraments


 
The Catholic Sacraments

Through visible signs instituted by Christ, God gives us grace!  The Church recognizes that this grace is conferred by the Holy Spirit when we participate in the following faith acts. 

After you have read about the sacraments below, we would like to invite you to learn more.  Please contact our Parish Office in the Marian Center at 317-637-3983 or by email parishoffice@saintmarysindy.org.  Also, many of the members of the Saint Mary faith community would be happy to share information about our Catholic faith.  Please introduce yourselves to us!!!  Together we will journey toward the face of God!

Baptism

Baptism marks the entry of the believer into the Christian community.  Through Baptism we are freed from sin and joined with Christ, sharing in His divinity and destined for eternal life. Baptism leaves us permanently changed, no longer the person we once were, but a new person, dying to death and sin, and rising to new life in Christ. In the words of St. Paul, "We were buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so too may we live a new life." (Romans 6:4).

The rite consists of pouring water over the head while evoking God’s name as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Baptisms are celebrated during the Seasons of Easter, Ordinary Time, and Christmas

Parents who wish their young children to be baptized into the Catholic faith are asked to attend a Baptism Preparation Class.  For school-aged children and teens learning about God and the Catholic faith, we recommend education at one of the schools of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.  Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School.  If your children attend public school, Saint Mary offers Religious Education on Sunday mornings.

Those interested in being baptized and received into the Church who are of adult age are asked to journey with members of the Catholic faith for a period of initiation from September until the beginning of Easter.  The process of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) allows the candidate to learn about and reflect upon God’s Word through the Scriptures, learn about our fundamental Christian beliefs, the history of the Church, and the liturgical traditions of our faith.  If the candidate is ready for the salvation that God promises as a disciple in Jesus Christ, then he or she will be baptized and received into the Church at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.

*For information on Baptisms please contact the parish office at (317) 637-3983 (en español) or Maureen Riley at mriley@saintmarysindy.org (English).

Confirmation

The prophets of the Old Testament foretold that God's Spirit would rest upon the Messiah to sustain God’s mission. Their prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus the Messiah was conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus on the occasion of his baptism by John. 

Jesus' entire mission occurred in communion with the Spirit. Before he died, Jesus promised that the Spirit would be given to the Apostles and to the entire Church. After his death, he was raised by God in the power of the Spirit.

Jesus came and stood in the midst of The Twelve and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  The disciples rejoiced at the sight of the resurrected Lord. Then Jesus said,
“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
He then breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” –John 20, 19-23

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, those of us who believe are "sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" and sent to be of service to the Body of Christ just as the first disciples.  The seven gifts God promises us through the imparting of  the Holy Spirit include wisdomunderstandingcounsel, knowledgefortitudepiety, and wonder and awe of the Lord.

*Confirmation Classes run August through April.* (Registrations are only open May to August.  Space may be limited.)

Holy Matrimony

Sacred Scripture begins with the creation and union of man and woman and ends with "the wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:7,9). Scripture often refers to marriage, its origin and purpose, the meaning God gave to it, and its renewal in the covenant made by Jesus with his Church. Man and Woman were created for each other. 

By their marriage, the couple witnesses Christ's spousal love for the Church. One of the Nuptial Blessings in the liturgical celebration of marriage refers to this in saying, "Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church." 

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy. 

~ From the United States Catechism for Adults

Saint Mary Catholic Church would be delighted to host your wedding liturgy! Please use the Wedding Date Request Form to submit your request. This will be reviewed and someone will contact you as soon as possible with additional information.  You can also contact the parish office for general information.   A date will not be confirmed until the wedding date request form has been filled out and all required documentation is provided.  Thank you once again for your interest in having your wedding ceremony at Saint Mary! 

*Please fill out the form below to start your wedding preparation process.   

Por favor completar el formulario de abajo para comenzar su proceso de preparación.    

  Wedding Date Request Form / Solicitud de Fecha de boda