|
Sacraments
and Sacramentals
|
Historical
Perspective
For the first thousand years of Church history there was no
final definition of what constituted a sacrament, nor was the number
of sacraments agreed upon. St. Augustine's definition of a
"visible form of invisible grace" was broad enough to
encompass many things and actions associated with the life of the
church. At various times this list included the kiss of peace,
ashes, holy water, baptismal fonts, chalices and patens, vestments,
the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, Scripture, the dedication of churches,
the crowning of kings, the Incarnation, the Church itself, and
numerous other rites and sacred objects.
Gradually, consensus recognized that some visible signs were
more important than others. Actions were seen to take
precedence over things. Sacraments were not just holy things.
Sacraments were efficacious; they mediated the grace of God.
Eventually a distinction was made between sacraments and sacramentals;
sacramentals signify inward spiritual grace which is obtained
through the Church. They help the faithful to receive God's
grace.
In determining what constituted a
sacrament, the focus shifted to rituals central to the lived
experience of the Church. In the twelfth century Peter Abeiard
listed six sacraments. He chose to omit Holy Orders from his
list. In 1274 the Second Council of Lyons agreed upon seven
sacraments.
Catholic Teaching on the Sacraments
The Center for Learning
|
|
First
Penance
|
|
|
This sacrament is called the sacrament of CONVERSION because
it makes sacramentally present Jesus' call to conversion, the first
step in returning to the Father from whom one has strayed by sin.
It is called the sacrament of
PENANCE, since it consecrated the Christian sinner's personal and
ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction.
It is called the sacrament of CONFESSION, since the disclosure or
confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this
sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a "confession: -
acknowledgement and praise - of the holiness of God and of his mercy
toward sinful humanity.
It is called the sacrament of
FORGIVENESS, since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants
the penitent "pardon and peace."
It is called the sacrament of
RECONCILIATION, BECAUSE IT IMPARTS TO THE SINNER THE LOVE OF GOD who
reconciles: "Be reconciled to God" (2 Cor 6:11)
He who lives by God's merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord's
call: "Go; first be reconciled to your brother" (Mt
5:24).
from The Catechism of the Catholic Church
|
|
Prayer
and Share Day
|
|
|
|
Welcome to our Prayer and Share Day
This is a special day, a day parents spent
with their children in preparation for First Eucharist.
It was a day for a parents to enjoy time with their
children
and thank God for this gift He has given to us
|
|
|
|
|
|
BANNER
|
MAKING
|
WORKSHOP
|
 |
 |
 |
|
BREAD |
MAKING |
WORKSHOP |
 |
 |
 |
| BREAD |
MAKING |
PRAYER WORKSHOP |
 |
 |
 |
| Learning about
the |
Colors of the
Priest's Vestments |
EUCHARIST VIDEO
|
 |
 |
| REFRESHMENTS |
The
Story of the Pretzel |
 |
 |
| Thanks to some of
our helpers! |
CLOSING
PRAYER SERVICE |
|
First
Eucharist
|
|
|
|
This sacrament of
initiation is
the source and summit of the Christian life.
The Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ
received at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
The Eucharist nourishes the life of grace within,
deepens our union with Christ
and increases our love of others
and our willingness to share the Gospel message.
|
| |
|
