Sacraments

BAPTISM
Next Baptism Weekends:
December 20-21     After the 5:00 PM and the 11:00 AM Masses
January 24-25    At the 5:00 PM and the 11:00 AM Mass


Baptism Preparation:
Parents anticipating Baptism of their first child are required to attend a Baptism Preparation Class. The class held every other month, is to ready the parents for the Catholic commitment they are making for their child and illuminates the significance of Baptism. The next class is scheduled for Thursday, January 15, at 6:30 PM, in the Church. Baptism is celebrated on the third Sunday of the month  rotating every other month at or after the 5:00 pm or 11:00 am Mass. Parishioners are asked to please call the Parish Office, 831-6531, to register before the birth of your child.


FIRST PENANCE
Instruction is given for 2nd Grade children in the fall using a communal celebration for their first experience. Parent involvement is key in preparation for this sacrament. First penance should precede First Communion preparation.


HOLY EUCHARIST  Please see link: The Reverent Reception of Holy Communion
FIRST COMMUNION
First Communion is celebrated in Grade 2 at all the masses the first weekend in May. Instruction is given and parent involvement is key in preparation for this sacrament.



CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is celebrated in Grade 11. Parents and sponsors participate and support the candidates in meetings and other activities.

R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Is a process of faith formation, the goal of which is to help help adults grow in their relationship with God, become familiar with Catholic teachings and practices, and to become full and active members of the Catholic faith community. The process is for those who are:

  • Not baptized and want to become full members of the Catholic Church
  • Baptized in another faith, but now wish to become full members of the Catholic Church
  • Baptized Catholic, but now wish to complete their initiation as full members of the Catholic Church, by celebrating their first communion and/or confirmation
  • Confirmed Catholic who is willing to sponsor a person who is inquiring and you are willing to walk on a journey of faith with them

More information about the RCIA program at St. Bernard's

MARRIAGE
Engaged couples are asked to contact the Parish Office to request a wedding date at least six months to a year in advance. Once the requested date has been scheduled, the couple is required to meet with the priest for a description of the marriage process and to allow adequate time for the preparation. At that time, wedding information materials will be given to them to begin their marriage preparation process. If you are not already a registered parishioner of the parish, you are asked to do so before beginning your preparations.

Planning a Wedding: All couples planning to marry at St. Bernard’s are invited for a wedding liturgy planning session to review the sacramental preparation for the wedding liturgy and to help couples make music selections for their wedding ceremony. Please call the office at 831-6531 to arrange for this session.

Blessing or Renewal of Wedding Anniversary Vows: If you are celebrating a significant wedding anniversary and you wish to celebrate it in the company of our Parish Faith Community during a weekend mass, please contact the Parish Office for more information.

ANNOINTING OF THE SICK*
A communal Sacrament of Anointing is celebrated at St. Bernard's at a special Eucharistic liturgy each fall and spring bringing the whole parish community together pray with and for those among us whose health is impaired. Anyone struggling with illness of mind, body or spirit is invited to be anointed. An individual celebration of the sacrament may be arranged by calling the Parish Office at 831-6531.
* This sacrament is not only for those who are at the point of death. The sacrament may be repeated as needed.

Communion for the Sick: Parishioners who are confined to their homes, nursing homes or health care facilities may have the Eucharist brought to them. Please call the Parish Office for more information.

Funeral Preparation: If a loved one has passed away, please contact the Parish Office, 831-6531, to speak with the priest.


VOCATIONS
If you are a single Catholic, age 18 - 55, contemplating a religious lifestyle as a priest, sister, brother or religious life, please contact the Parish Office, 831-6531, or the Diocesan Vocations Office at the Bishop O'Connor Pastoral Catholic Center, 702 S. High Point Road, Madison, WI 52744-4983 or call 821-3088 or 1-800-833-8452 for more information.

To find out more about any of these sacraments and the process involved, please call the Parish Office, 831-6531.

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