The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church: 
Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders

BAPTISM
Second and fourth Sundays of the month at 11:30AM.

Please call the Parish Office for information: 508-435-3313 x203.

“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.” (CCC, 1213)

 

CONFIRMATION
For highschool students, visit the Religious Education tab on our website. Adults seeking Confirmation should contact Fr. Cannon.

“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, with quote from Lumen gentium, 11)

THE EUCHARIST

For primary-aged students, visit the Religious Education tab. Adults seeking First Communion should contact Fr. Cannon.

The Eucharist is “”the source and summit of the Christian life”… For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself.” (CCC, 1324, with quote from Lumen gentium, 11)

Reception of the Eucharist: Only Catholics in a state of grace may receive the Eucharist. 

“Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion… without having first received sacramental absolution [ie. confession]… Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.” (CCC, 1457)

RECONCILIATION

Every Saturday from 8:30-9:15AM.
Check the website for Monday evening Confession opportunities.

If you cannot make it to St. John’s, check nearby parishes for Confession times.

“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.” (CCC, 1422, quote from Lumen gentium, 11)

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Fr. Cannon is always available to offer the sacrament of anointing. Consider asking him before a surgery, when seriously ill, or for any other appropriate reason.

“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.” (CCC, 1499, quote from Lumen gentium, 11)

MARRIAGE

Contact the Parish Secretary at 508-435-3313 x203 to begin the preparation for Marriage.
Weddings are scheduled at least six months in advance.

“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.” (CCC, 1601)

“This bond, which results from the free human act of the spouses and their consummation of the marriage, is a reality, henceforth irrevocable, and gives rise to a covenant guaranteed by God’s fidelity.” (CCC, 1640) 

Local NFP training:
MEREDITH & JOSH PHELPS
Offer private and small group instruction 
Video-conference and in-person (Metro West)

HOLY ORDERS

St. John’s Seminary and Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary are the two seminaries in the Boston Archdiocese.

We pray for an increase in vocations, for our seminarians, the newly ordained, and for our parish priests.

“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.” (CCC, 1536)

The priest, by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, acts in the person of Christ (Cf. CCC, 1548)