Jesus touches our lives through the sacraments. Our celebrations of the sacraments are signs of Jesus’ presence in our lives and a means for receiving His grace. The Church celebrates seven sacraments, which are divided into three categories:

• Sacraments of Initiation:
  Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are the sacraments that lay the foundation of every Christian Life.
• Sacraments of Healing:
  The Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick celebrate the healing power of Jesus.
• Sacraments at the Service of Communion:
  The Sacraments of Matrimony and Holy Orders help members serve the community.

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Through Baptism we are freed from the darkness of our world, we become sons and daughters of God and are embraced into the family of the Church. Baptism removes the guilt and effects of Original Sin and incorporates the baptized into the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ on earth. The sign of Baptism is the pouring of water.

At Blessed Sacrament, the Sacrament of Baptism for infants will be celebrated after consultation with parents. Parents should notify the Parish Office at least three months before the anticipated date of Baptism. Pre-Baptismal instruction is held for the parents. The Sacrament of Baptism for adults may occur only after completion of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.). Please contact the Parish Office for further information: 884-0053.

Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated weekly in the room to the right of the altar on Saturday from 3:30 – 4:00 pm. During the Covid-19 pandemic, those wishing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation should contact the Parish Office for an appointment: 884-0053.

Reconciliation is a sacrament which can be celebrated repeatedly throughout one’s life, and indeed Catholics are encouraged to receive this sacrament frequently. Through Reconciliation we receive God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness requires being sorry for our sins. We receive Jesus’ healing grace through absolution by the priest. The signs of this sacrament are our confession of sins and the words of absolution.

First Reconciliation at Blessed Sacrament Church generally takes place in the second grade. Parental participation is required. Please contact the Parish Office or the Director of Religious Education for
further information: 884-0053.

Eucharist

The Liturgy of the Eucharist is performed at all daily and weekend masses. The Eucharist can be brought to people who are home-bound by a priest, deacon or Minister of Communion by prior arrangement. Please inform the Parish Office if anyone in your family is unable to participate in the Liturgy of the Eucharist for an extended period of time.

The Sacrament of Eucharist brings to completion the process of Christian Initiation. In this sacrament we remember the Last Supper, that final meal Jesus shared with his disciples. At that meal Jesus gave us the Eucharist so that we could remember Him in a special way. When we receive Communion, we believe that we receive the person of Jesus into our very being. We become one with Him, and we become one with each other. As a community we become ‘the body of Christ’. The Eucharist nourishes our life of faith. Its signs are the bread and wine we receive—the Body and Blood of Christ.

First Eucharist at Blessed Sacrament is generally celebrated in the third grade. Parental participation is required Please contact the parish Office or the Director of Religious Education for further information: 884-0053.

Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of Christian Initiation. Confirmation is a Catholic Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. Confirmation perfects our Baptism and brings us the graces of the Holy Spirit that were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday. It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Sacrament of Confirmation completes the sacrament of Baptism. Confirmation is the sacrament of maturity and coming of age, a sacrament of empowerment. It gives us the strength to follow Jesus and to become involved in the mission which Jesus left to the Church. Its signs are the laying on of hands on a person’s head, most often by a bishop, and the anointing with oil. Like Baptism, Confirmation is received only once.

Confirmation at Blessed Sacrament is generally celebrated in high school, after a period of preparation. Sponsor participation is required. Please not that the Sponsor must be a practicing catholic and have a letter of recommendation from their own pastor, if they are not a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish. For adults, depending on their level of Catechesis, they may receive the Sacrament of Confirmation only after participation in the adult Rite of Christian Initiation Process (R.C.I.A.) or in a number of preparation sessions. Please contact the parish Office or the Director of Religious Education for further information: 884-0053.

Matrimony

In Matrimony a baptized man and woman are united with each other as a sign of the unity between Jesus and his Church. Matrimony requires the consent of the couple, as expressed in the marriage promises. The couple and their wedding rings are the signs of this sacrament.

Marriage preparation at Blessed Sacrament includes a pastoral prenuptial investigation, completion of an approved marriage preparation program, and planning of the wedding liturgy. The engaged couple must be practicing Catholics or if only one individual is Catholic, that person must be a practicing catholic. The prospective bride and groom must have made arrangements for their wedding at least eight months before the wedding date. No weddings may be scheduled at or near the times set for Parish liturgies (i.e., Confession, Saturday afternoon Mass, etc.).

Anointing of the Sick

Originally known as Extreme Unction or Last Rites, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered to those who are physically, emotionally or spiritually unwell. No one who is chronically ill or anticipating surgery should postpone receiving this sacrament. It is offered to the homebound by calling the Parish Office at 884-0053.

Oil, a symbol of strength, is the sign of this sacrament. A person is anointed with oil and receives the laying on of hands from a priest. At Blessed Sacrament we celebrate the Anointing of the Sick during the 4:30 pm Mass on the First Saturday of each month.

Sacrament of 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. Holy Orders is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. In Holy Orders, men are ordained as priests, deacons, and bishops. Priests serve as spiritual leaders of their communities, and deacons serve to remind us of our baptismal call to help others. Bishops carry on the teachings of the apostles. The signs of this sacrament are the laying on of hands and anointing with oil by the bishop

If you are interested in a vocation as a priest or deacon you may call our diocesan vocation director at (716) 847-5535 or you may directly explore the Diocese of Buffalo Vocations website for additional information: http://www.buffalovocations.org/. If you wish to email Rev. David Baker, Vocations Director, you may do so at dbaker@buffalodiocese.org.