Sacraments

The sacrament of baptism ushers us into the divine life, cleanses us from sin, and initiates us as members of the Christian community. It is the foundation for the sacramental life.

Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit. (Christian Initiation of Adults, #222A)

 

Baptismal Symbols

• Water – The waters of baptism recall Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal as we begin a new life in Christ. We are washed clean of sin.
• Oil – At baptism we are anointed into the life of Christ as “priest, prophet and king.” A cross is traced on the candidate’s forehead as are reminder that we are inheritors of the Kingdom of God.
• Light – The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal or Easter candle that stands in the church as a sign of Christ’s light in the world. At baptism, we receive the light of Christ and are called forth to share this light with the world.
• White garment – The white garment that is placed upon us at baptism is a symbol of Christ’s victory over death and his glorious resurrection. Likewise, the white garment or pall that is placed over the coffin at the time of death recalls our baptismal promises and reminds us that we are destined for eternal life.

The Baptism Process

• Our process begins by registering for the parish, if you haven’t already.
• Introduce yourselves to Fr. Gary after Mass and tell him that you will be contacting him to talk about baptism for your son/daughter.
• Email Fr. Gary at [email protected] to set up an appointment for baptism preparation.  This session helps the parents to understand and take seriously the promises they make at baptism to raise their child in the faith of the Church, enabling the child to live as a disciple of Christ.
• We look forward to welcoming all of you to the Catholic community in Portsmouth here at Corpus Christi Parish!

Frequently Asked Questions

When do baptisms take place?  Baptisms for children under the age of seven are celebrated amongst your family and friends at a date and time arranged on an individual basis.  For children seven years or older, please contact our Families of Faith Director, Lisa Bald, at [email protected].

Do we need to be registered with the parish?  Yes!  We want you to know what is happening in your faith community.  When you register, you are added to our parish mailing and email lists through which you will periodically receive notices about parish news and events.  Also, you will receive the award-winning Catholic magazine, Parable, in the mail. If you are not currently registered with the parish, you can download a form from our website. Click here for the parish registration form.  Simply drop your completed form in the mail or in the collection basket.

Do godparents need to attend the Baptism Preparation session?
No, they do not.

What documentation has to be completed and submitted?
In addition to the parents registering for the baptism, godparents need to provide a Sponsor Verification Form from their local parish that must be submitted to the office prior to the child’s baptism.  The form can be obtained upon request from the church where the person is currently active.

What is required for a person to be eligible to be a godparent?  The role of a godparent is to support the parents in raising their child in the Catholic faith.  Only one godparent is required, but in the case of an infant two may be chosen.  A child cannot have more than two godparents. A godparent must:

• Be a confirmed Catholic who faithfully participates in the liturgical life of the church.
• Be at least 16 years of age.
• Be Confirmed in the Catholic Church.
• Be designated by the parents or legal guardians.
• Not be the father or mother of the one being baptized. 
• A person who was baptized in the Catholic Church, who has not received the Sacrament of Confirmation cannot be a Christian Witness or a godparent.

Can a non-Catholic be a godparent? The godparent is someone who will participate in the faith development of the child as he/she matures and enters fully into the life of the Church through the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. Therefore, a non-Catholic cannot be a godparent.

What is a Christian Witness? A Christian Witness is a baptized non-Catholic who can stand as witness to the baptism. This person has no religious responsibility for the child and is not considered a godparent by the Church. A child can never have two Christian Witnesses. They must have at least one confirmed, Catholic godparent.

In the case of two godparents, do they have to be one male and one female or can we have two people of the same gender? Only one male and one female can be godparents. Godparents cannot be of the same gender.

Do the godparents have to be present for the baptism? Ideally, the godparents will be present to participate in the baptism ritual. If however, if one or both godparents cannot be present a proxy can stand in for the godparent. The proxy can be any adult the parents choose. The godparents will be recorded as such in the permanent records.

What do I need to do if I plan to have my child baptized in another parish due to family affiliation? Contact the parish where you want to have your child baptized to learn what they require.   They may require you to attend a baptism preparation class in this parish and provide verification that you attended. They will require a letter of permission from the pastor of this parish for you to have your child baptized in another parish.

What do I need to do if I am from another parish and want my child baptized at Corpus Christi Parish due to family or historical affiliation? Contact us to begin the registration process. Contact your local parish and arrange to attend a Baptism Preparation session and provide verification that you attended. We require a letter of permission from the pastor of your local parish for you to have your child baptized in this parish.

For an article on “How to be a Great Godparent,” click here.

 

The New Covenant

I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever;…Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and…remains in me and I in him. (John 6:51, 54, 56)

In the gospels, we read that the Eucharist was instituted at the Last Supper. In the Last Supper narratives, Jesus took, broke, and gave bread and wine to his disciples. In the blessing of the cup of wine, Jesus calls it “the blood of the covenant” (Matthew and Mark) and the “new covenant in my blood” (Luke). The Catechism teaches that all Catholics who have received their First Holy Communion are welcome to receive Eucharist at Mass unless in a state of mortal sin.

 

 

 

 

Receiving the Eucharist changes us. It signifies and effects the unity of the community and serves to strengthen the Body of Christ.

Understanding the Mass

The central act of worship in the Catholic Church is the Mass. It is in the liturgy that the saving death and resurrection of Jesus once for all is made present again in all its fullness and promise – and we are privileged to share in His Body and Blood, fulfilling his command as we proclaim his death and resurrection until He comes again. It is in the liturgy that our communal prayers unite us into the Body of Christ. It is in the liturgy that we most fully live out our Christian faith.

The liturgical celebration is divided into two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. First we hear the Word of God proclaimed in the scriptures and respond by singing God’s own Word in the Psalm. Next that Word is broken open in the homily. We respond by professing our faith publicly. Our communal prayers are offered for all the living and the dead in the Creed. Along with the Presider, we offer in our own way, the gifts of bread and wine and are given a share in the Body and Blood of the Lord, broken and poured out for us. We receive the Eucharist, Christ’s real and true presence, and we renew our commitment to Jesus. Finally, we are sent forth to proclaim the Good News!

Youth Confirmation

Our Youth Ministry Program is the umbrella under which Confirmation Preparation occurs. Youth participation in our Youth Ministry Program is an integral aspect of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, as it broadens our teens’ experience of church, knowledge of the faith, and understanding of a lived Christian faith.

Our program is a pathway that leads youth through the Sacrament of Confirmation into a life of Christian discipleship. The goals are:

• To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
• To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.
• To foster the personal and spiritual growth of each young person.

For more information, contact the Director of Evangelization, Dominic Paradis, at 603-436-4555, X114.
 

Adult Confirmation

Adult confirmation preparation takes place once a year in the spring or fall. This is for adults who were baptized, received First Eucharist, and practice their faith, but have not yet received the sacrament of Confirmation.   Sessions meet for two hours once a week for four weeks. Upon completion of the four weeks, those who attended will be confirmed at the Adult Confirmation Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in Manchester.  Information regarding when the sessions will take place will be published in the bulletin. 

For more information, contact the Director of Evangelization, Dominic Paradis, at 603-436-4555, X114.

“The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and our bodies . . .has willed that his Church continue,
in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation.”  CCC 1421

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, through which we receive God’s great mercy, is available after weekday Masses (approximately 8:30 AM), as well as on Saturdays at 3:00 PM and Sundays at 3:45 PM,  at Immaculate Conception Church.

Who may Receive?

In the Catholic Church, Extreme Unction or the Last Rites is the anointing at the time of death. Since the Second Vatican Council, this sacrament is now called the Anointing of the Sick, and has been broadened to offer healing and comfort in times of illness that may not lead to immediate death. 

Spiritual Healing
The healing that occurs in this sacrament of anointing is not necessarily physical healing. While we believe that physical healing can occur through the great power of God, the grace that is infused through this special sacrament is the reminder of the eternal presence of God in our human suffering.  When the priest blesses the oil of anointing, he asks God to “send the power of your Holy Spirit, the Consoler, into this precious oil. Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it; heal them in body, in soul and in spirit, and deliver them from every affliction” (Pastoral Care of the Sick, #123).
“The celebration of the Anointing of the Sick consists essentially in the anointing of the forehead and hands of the sick person (in the Roman Rite) or of other parts of the body (in the Eastern rite), the anointing being accompanied by the liturgical prayer of the celebrant asking for the special grace of this sacrament” (CCC 1531).
 
When should I request the Anointing of the Sick?
If you have a serious medical condition and are at home, in the hospital, or preparing for a medical operation, you may call the office and request to receive the sacrament.  Can I request the sacrament of anointing of the sick before having an operation?

How do I request the Anointing of the Sick?
Please call the parish office at 603-436-4555 to make arrangements, or speak to Fr. Gary so you can schedule to receive this sacrament.

Parishioners should contact Mary Kay at the office at 603-436-4555, X110. For all prospective candidates, the following guidelines apply:  

In  all  the  excitement  of  planning  your  wedding,  please  also  remember  the  following requirements for marriage in the Catholic Church:
1. The prospective bride and groom must be free to marry each other (i.e. no impediments).
2. The couple must complete the marriage preparations required by this Diocese, including:

• Meet with the pastor.
• Complete a FOCCUS inventory with follow-up sessions.
• Participate in an Engaged Encounter, Toward Marriage, or other approved program.
• Submit current baptismal certificates. Each must be issued from the church of baptism (within 6 months of wedding date) and have the parish seal on it.
• Obtain Decrees of Nullity for any previous marriages.
• Obtain any permissions or dispensations needed for interfaith marriages.

3. Preparations must be initiated at least six months prior to the wedding.
4. The following restrictions apply:

• NO weddings on Sundays.  NO weddings during Lent.
• NO rentals of any church for civil ceremonies or non-Catholic weddings.
• NO ceremonies outdoors or in non-church buildings.
• NO “penciled in” dates for those needing Decrees of Nullity.

In order to celebrate a wedding here at Corpus Christi Parish, the following is required:

1. The prospective Bride and Groom must meet with the pastor before a date can be confirmed.  Arrangements must be made by the couple themselves; not by their parents.
2. If the necessary documents are not presented at least one month before the reserved date, the ceremony will be cancelled.  You will be notified in writing of the cancellation.
3. Our parish has only ONE church:  Immaculate Conception, located at 98 Summer Street.
   • See photos at this link.
   • See information about the church at this link.
4. Ordinarily, we can accommodate one Friday wedding and up to two (morning and early afternoon) Saturday wedding per weekend. Friday evenings and Saturday morning/early afternoons (beginning at latest at 1:00 PM) are the standard times. Weddings can be celebrated on other weekdays as well. Weddings CANNOT be celebrated after 1:00 PM on Saturdays.
5. Please contact the parish Music Director, Lisa Boucher, to make arrangements for music for your wedding, via email at [email protected].  All songs must have religious lyrics.  Songs with secular lyrics are not appropriate for the wedding ceremony.  “Here Comes the Bride” is permitted as a processional.  Fees for musicians are in addition to wedding fees list below.  Checks should be made out to the individual musicians and sent to the parish two weeks before the wedding date.
6. The parish employs its own wedding coordinators.  A two-person team will be assigned to your wedding. They conduct the rehearsal and are present at the wedding ceremony to open/close the church, arrange the altar furnishings, organize the bridal party, and assist with lighting, seating, and other activities. Checks should be made out to the individual coordinators and sent to the parish two weeks before the wedding date.
7. Flowers used to decorate the church for the wedding must remain in the church after the ceremony.  Aisle runners are not permitted due to safety issues. Please do not move or change any church furnishings.  No changes may be made in the decoration of the church for weddings during the Advent, Christmas, or Easter seasons.
   • Flowers used to decorate the church for a wedding must remain in the church after the ceremony (this does not include pew bows/flowers).  Flowers at the altar should be 24” to 30” tall, no higher (no pillar stands).
   • Pew bows/flowers should be simple, so as not to obstruct entry into the pews. They must NOT be taped to the pews!  DO NOT drape tulle or any other material between the pews, thereby preventing people from entering the pew from the center aisle.
   • Due to safety issues, aisle runners, flower petals (both real and silk), and rice are not permitted in the church.  Bubbles are allowed, but only outside the church.
   • Please do not move or change any church furnishings.  No changes may be made in the decoration of the church for weddings during the Advent, Christmas, or Easter seasons.
8. In the event a couple does not live in the area, but will be married at Corpus Christi Parish, the marriage file must be assembled in their home parish by their pastor. All necessary documentation must be sent here at least 30 days before the wedding date. This includes the Prenuptial Investigation, baptismal certificates, and – where necessary – decrees of nullity and dispensations. The documentation must also include permission to marry here from the pastor of the home parish.
9. The marriage license must be obtained in New Hampshire, within 90 days of the wedding date, and submitted to the parish at least two weeks before the wedding.
10. If there is a friend or family member who is a priest or deacon and who will be presiding at the wedding, the following criteria must be met:
    • He must be in good standing with his bishop.
    • If he is not a NH resident, he must obtain a license from the State of New Hampshire and submit it to the parish at least two weeks before the wedding. The license application may be downloaded from: http://www.sos.nh.gov/marriage.aspx.
    • He must send written confirmation of his commitment to the ceremony.  If he becomes unavailable, it is the couple’s responsibility to find a substitute.
11. Wedding Fees.  For professionals’ fees, checks should be made out to the individual musicians/coordinators and sent to the parish two weeks before the wedding date.

• $200   Non-refundable Deposit – Due when the wedding date is reserved.
• $225   Wedding Coordinators ($150 to primary, $75 to secondary coordinators) – Names will be provided when assigned.
• $ 20    each Altar Server(s) – Payable to coordinator at rehearsal. (Altar server assigned if Mass,  no server needed if not a Mass)
• $500   The offering to the parish is in addition to the deposit. This helps to cover the expenses for utilities, insurance, maintenance, and professional staff time. If you are a parishioner and regularly contribute to the support of the parish, you may adjust this amount.

DEACON, PRIEST, BISHOP

Three Orders in this Sacrament

A man is ordained, and receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders, when he is made a Deacon, Priest, and Bishop.  There are three orders all contained in the Sacrament.  Only the Bishop has the fullness of Holy Orders, therefore, only a Bishop can ordain others.

Order of Deacon

When a man is ordained a deacon, he becomes a member of the clergy; he is no longer a lay man in the church.  The deacon may baptize; officiate at marriages; lead funeral rites; impart blessings and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament; read the Gospel and preach; and assist the priest in the celebration of Holy Mass.  He would be an ordinary minister of Holy Communion, rather than extra-ordinary minister as lay people may be designated.  In this Order, he cannot absolve sins in confession, nor celebrate Holy Mass, nor administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  These are reserved to priests.  
 

Holy Orders

Since the beginning, the ordained ministry has been conferred and exercised in three degrees: that of bishops, that of presbyters, and that of deacons. Ordination is the rite at which the Sacrament of Holy Orders is bestowed. The bishop confers the Sacrament of Holy Orders by the laying on of hands which confers on a man the grace and spiritual power to celebrate the Church’s sacraments followed by a solemn prayer of consecration asking God to grant the ordained the graces of the Holy Spirit required for his ministry.