Sacraments

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

BAPTISM
Baptisms are held on second and fourth Sundays of the month in the upper church at 11:30AM. To schedule a baptism or make inquiries, call the parish secretary at (508) 435-3313, Ext. 20.

“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” (CCC, 1213)

CONFIRMATION
For high school students, visit the Religious Education page on our website. Adults should speak with 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 page. Adults seeking First Communion should speak with 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)

Who may receive the Eucharist?
1. Practicing Catholics who are in a state of grace.
If one has committed a mortal sin (including missing one’s Sunday Mass obligation), then one must go to confession before receiving Communion.

2. Children who have gone to confession and are prepared for their First Holy Communion.

3. The Church requires that we fast for one hour before receiving Communion.

RECONCILIATION

Fr. Cannon hears confessions every Saturday from 8:30-9:15AM. He is always available by appointment. If you cannot make it to St. John’s, check nearby parishes.

“Those who approach the sacrament of penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him.” (CCC, 1422, quote from Lumen gentium, 11)

ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Fr. Cannon is always available to offer an anointing. Consider asking him before a surgery or when seriously ill.

“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
To begin preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage, contact the parish secretary at (508) 435-3313, Ext. 20.
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)

Local NFP training: 
MEREDITH & JOSH PHELPS

https://www.bostoncrosscheck.com

(617) 744-9623

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.

“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)