Sacraments
As an integral aspect of our church life that holds immense significance, our sacraments are sacred pillars that uphold the spiritual structure of our faith, providing us with profound experiences of God’s presence and grace. They offer us a tangible way to connect with the divine, guiding us through life’s journey with purpose and a strong sense of community. We aim to provide an understanding why they are considered the cornerstone of our faith and how they enrich our connection to both the spiritual and communal dimensions of our beliefs.
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Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick is not just for those who are near death – it is for people of all ages (including children) who are suffering from serious or chronic illness, preparing to face a surgery, dealing with a serious mental illness or addiction, or of old age and frail condition.
Anointing of the Sick is a short rite that involves readings from Scripture, special prayers for the sick person and a blessing/anointing with Holy Oil. When this sacrament is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God’s will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace, courage and strength to deal with the difficulties that accompany their suffering.
To request the Anointing of the Sick for yourself or a loved one, please call the parish office at (908) 464-7600. Anointing can be received more than one time, but can only be received once every six months.
A gentle reminder: Please do not wait until the final moments of a loved one’s life to call a priest for the Anointing of the Sick. While we do our best to respond to emergency needs, there is not a priest here at all times who can respond. Reaching out early ensures that the person can fully experience this sacrament and avoid a stressful, last-minute situation where a priest cannot be reached.
Baptism
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is the essential foundation of the entire Christian life. It serves as the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua) by unlocking the doors to the other sacraments. Through the waters of Baptism, we are cleansed of all sin and born again as beloved children of God. We are then welcomed into the body of Christ, the Church, and given the opportunity to participate in her divine mission. Baptism is an option for any age–from infant to the elderly.
Baptism of a Child
Godparents/Sponsors
In choosing a Godparent or Sponsor for your child, it is important to consider individuals who not only share the Catholic faith, but live it as well. Godparents should play a crucial role in your child’s life, serving as witnesses to the baptism as well as partners in the spiritual upbringing of the child.
- They must be at least 16 years of age
- They should be practicing Catholics who have received the sacraments of Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist
- Although most of the time there are two godparents, each of different sex, you may choose to have only one. This one, or at least one if there are multiples, must have received the sacrament of Confirmation.
- A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may be admitted only if accompanied by one other who is a confirmed Catholic. The non-Catholic individual will officially be recognized as a witness to the baptism, but not as godparent.
Baptisms are typically celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month at 12 pm.
Baptism of an Adult
Are you searching for answers or longing for a deeper connection with faith? Have you explored Catholic faith already and want to be baptized? Whether you’re just curious or ready to take a step toward becoming Catholic, we warmly invite you to dive deeper into faith with us through OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. OCIA is a guided journey, yet unique to you. It is for anyone considering becoming Catholic or seeking full initiation into the Church, including:
- Non-Catholics who want to explore Catholicism and potentially join the Church.
- Those baptized in another Christian tradition who seek full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion or Confirmation.
- Anyone seeking answers and deeper understanding in their faith journey
OCIA is a welcoming environment where questions are encouraged and faith is explored on a deeper level in an open and honest way. Participants will learn about the teachings of Christ, dive into the beauty of the sacraments, and discover what it means to be part of the Catholic family. At each gathering, we will learn and discuss different aspects of the Catholic faith together, ask questions, and explore how it applies to our lives.
Whether you’re exploring the Catholic faith for the first time, returning to the Church after some time away or simply looking to grow in your spiritual life, we welcome you and look forward to walking with you on your journey of faith! For more information please contact us by submitting your inquiry here, or contacting Gloria Alves in the Catechetical office at (908) 464-8156 or catoff@olpnp.org.
First Communion & First Reconciliation
At the heart of our faith lies the Eucharist, the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. It’s more than a mere symbol; it is a divine bond that unites us with the heavenly liturgy and gives us a taste of eternal life. This sacrament is not just a personal encounter; it strengthens the very fabric of the Church itself. Through the beautiful ritual of the Eucharistic celebration, we experience a profound connection with our Lord and Savior. When we partake in this holy sacrament with reverence and gratitude, we recognize the transformative power it holds for our lives.
For a Child
Registration for both of these Sacraments can only be done after the child is participating in regular catechesis either in our parish’s Catechetical program or at a Catholic School. For more information please contact us by submitting your inquiry, press here, or contacting Gloria Alves in the Catechetical office, number (908)464-8156.
For an Adult
The avenue for receiving First Eucharist or other sacraments of initiation as an adult is the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process. It is a guided journey that is also unique to you. We welcome your questions and we look forward to walking with you on your journey of faith! For more information please contact us by submitting your inquiry here, or contacting Gloria Alves in the Catechetical office at (908) 464-8156 or catoff@olpnp.org.
Confirmation
Just as we grow physically, intellectually, and emotionally, we need to grow spiritually as well. Confirmation is that step that not only draws us closer to God, but at the same time fulfills in us the promises made on our behalf on the day of our baptism. It is in our confirmation that we receive the Holy Spirit in His Fullness
For those interested in finding out more about our program, please see our EDUCATION page.
Matrimony
Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding. We pray that the grace of God that has brought you to this point in your lives will continue not only through this period of your engagement but throughout your marriage.
Before anything else, the two of you must reflect on what you are undertaking as you get married in the catholic Church. Marriage is a sacred union that is made for life. When entering into marriage in the Catholic Church, the two spouses must make three promises: the first being fidelity, the second being openness to children, if God so grants it, and the third is the promise that this marriage will be for life, as long as you are both living. After answering yes to all of these and having committed to them, the next step is getting in contact with a priest.
The first thing to do is choose a priest, and he will guide you through the rest. Feel free to approach one of our priests after Mass (Fr. Francisco Mendonca or Msgr. Robert Harahan), or call the Rectory to get in touch with them.
Confessions at OLP
- Individual confession is offered on Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Church. You may choose to go face to face by asking for the curtain to be opened, or go anonymously by keeping the curtain closed.
- You may also schedule an appointment with a priest during the week. To make an appointment, please call the rectory at 908-464-7600.
Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, aka confession, is a Sacrament instituted by Christ to help us draw back closer to God after offending Him with our sins. This command is seen both in John 20:22-23 and Matthew 18:18.
A true confession must have three parts, the penitent must declare that has sinned against God and verbally pronounce the sins, and at the end ask God for forgiveness. The penitent is then given a penance (something that he or she must do as a physical sign of penance) and get absolution. Once the absolution is given and the penance completed the sin is completely forgiven and forgotten by God.
It is very important to remember that when confessing we are confessing to God directly, and the priest at that moment is there in the person of Christ, very important, not as Christ’s representative but as Christ Himself. Therefore everything that is said in the confessional cannot leave the confessional. If a priest was to reveal any specific sin that a specific person has said he is instantly excommunicated from the church by God. And only an act from the pope in Rome can bring him back to the church. A priest does not have automatic authority to hear confessions on the day of his ordination, it is given to him later on by his bishop, and as it is given to him separately from his ordination he may continue to be a priest but not be abe to hear confessions.