Sacraments
The Sacraments play a special role in our faith community, transforming our hearts and lives. Through these sacred rites, our everyday lives are made holy. Established by Jesus Christ, the seven sacraments are the Catholic Church's most ancient and revered practices, bringing grace to all who participate.
BAPTISM
Baptism symbolizes death to sin and a new life in Christ. It's a permanent mark on the soul, so a Catholic is never re-baptized.
At our parishes:
At least one parent of the child(ren) to be Baptized must be registered and be participating members of one of our parishes.
The parent(s) are required to attend one session of preparation. Parents are also required to meet with the Pastor prior to Baptism.
All Baptisms are celebrated during a weekend Mass.
Contact sj-office@scsjcluster.org or sc-office@scsjcluster.org
FIRST COMMUNION & FIRST RECONCILIATION
These sacraments are celebrated for the first time in 2nd grade. There are also special parent/child preparation sessions and a retreat for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation continues Jesus' ministry of forgiveness through this celebration of reconciliation with God, with the community, and with one's self.
First Communion further initiates a child into the life of the Christian Community. Within that community the Person of Christ becomes real. His Presence is the source of unity; it is to this Presence a child will return again and again to find the living center of the community.
Contact Todd Weissenborn tweissenborn@scsjcluster.org
CONFIRMATION
The Sacrament of Confirmation is usually celebrated during the Easter season of a youth’s junior year of high school. They meet regularly for Formation and preparation for the Sacrament. Classes for both the Candidates and occasionally the parents and/or sponsor are an important commitment of the Confirmation faith journey. Confirmation strengthens the work of the Holy Spirit begun in Baptism. Their preparation also includes service projects, a meeting with a member of the pastoral staff and participation in a retreat.
Contact Todd Weissenborn tweissenborn@scsjcluster.org
Adults seeking Confirmation contact:
MATRIMONY
The Catholic Church distinguishes between a legal marriage and the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Sacrament of Matrimony involves two baptized people, one or both of whom are Catholic, becoming husband and wife through a sacred covenant with God and each other.
A valid Sacrament of Matrimony requires the presence of a priest or deacon, a bride and groom, and two witnesses of any religion. The bride and groom are the real ministers of the sacrament, because their “I do’s,” make them husband and wife. The priest or deacon is just an official witness for the Church — necessary, but still just a witness.
Most Catholic weddings take place during a wedding Mass. Vows are exchanged as part of the Mass itself. If either the bride or groom isn’t of the Catholic faith, the Church usually suggests a wedding ceremony without Mass. And when a Catholic couple gets married in a civil or non-Catholic ceremony, they need a convalidation ceremony to make their marriage valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church.
PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE: Couples planning marriage at St. Joan of Arc or St Catherine of Alexandria Churches are asked to contact the pastor to arrange for pre-marriage preparation. This should be done at least six months before the desired date for the marriage. As part of the marriage preparation process, couples are required to meet with the Pastor, meet with a parish FOCCUS couple and attend an Archdiocesan retreat day. On Saturday, marriages are scheduled no later than 2:00 p.m. Please contact Fr. Yamid at yblanco@scsjcluster.org
RECONCILIATION
The Sacrament of Penance (or Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession) is for spiritual healing. Catholics believe Jesus left the Sacrament of Penance because only God’s grace can heal a wounded soul. Penance helps Catholics atone for sins they’ve committed.
At our parishes, Reconciliation is offered on the 1st and 4th Saturdays of the month at 4:30 pm at the parish hosting Saturday evening liturgy or by appointment.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK & FUNERALS
In the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment, should the Lord will it. The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.
The principle grace that we receive in the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is a strengthening of the virtue of hope in temptation of despair, even if there is no physical healing. The primary effect of the Sacrament is spiritual healing.
Contact sj-office@scsjcluster.org or sc-office@scsjcluster.org
The funeral liturgy is the central liturgical celebration of the Christian community for the deceased. When one of its members dies, the Church encourages the celebration of the funeral liturgy at a Mass. When Mass cannot be celebrated, a funeral liturgy outside Mass can be celebrated at the church or in the funeral home.
The Rite of Committal, the conclusion of the funeral rite, is the final act of the community of faith in caring for the body of its deceased member. It should normally be celebrated at the place of committal, that is, beside the open grave or place of interment.
Contact sj-office@scsjcluster.org or sc-office@scsjcluster.org
Religious Education
Why Christian Formation? To help answer that question, we are bringing you the top reasons our St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Joan of Arc families say that Religious Education programs are important to them.
“I want my child to have a strong relationship with God. “
If we want our children to become good athletes, we sign them up for sports and encourage them to learn how to be a part of a team. If we want our children to know God through their Catholic Faith and participate in the Mass, we need to be present.
It is through community that we can truly build the city of God! The Religious Education programs always begin with Mass. Our pastor is consistently teaching and drawing us closer to God and one another with his passion for Jesus and the Gospels.
youth formation
4K - 8th Grades
Children in grades 4K-8 are divided by age and meet with catechists to deepen their understanding of Christ and the Catholic faith using the Finding God series by Loyola Press. The curriculum, which includes age appropriate hands-on activities and discussion, offers opportunities to meet the benchmarks set by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
2nd Grade Sacramental Prep
Second grade students will receive their Sacramental preparation for both First Reconciliation and First Communion during class. Parents and children will also receive additional preparation for these Sacraments at separate family meetings and retreats.
9th - 11th Grades
High school students meet to deepen their Catholic faith through service, group discussion, personal reflection, and retreat.
Confirmation Prep
Confirmation preparation is an additional process. Those registered in our high school program explore the gifts of the Holy Spirit and those seeking confirmation participate in additional meetings and activities to deepen their faith, culminating in Confirmation at the end of 11th grade. There are meetings that require a parent and others a sponsor.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is a week-long, morning experience offered each summer for those in grades 4K-5 (adult and youth 6th grade and above may volunteer), the week after school ends. Check in Spring for information on the summer theme and registration information.
adult formation
Adult Formation
The parishes of St. Joan of Arc and St. Catherine’s are committed to the lifelong process of Formation. For adults that process allows the integration of our life experience with our faith. A team of dedicated parishioners strive to provide opportunities for adults to continue to learn and deepen their call to discipleship.
Exploring the Gospel
Prepare your mind and heart for Mass: Join us as we explore the Gospel for the upcoming weekend. Together, let us immerse ourselves in this Scripture and discover how it's message is relevant and applicable for our lives TODAY. No advance preparation is required. Led by Janis Parker, we meet for one hour with 2 different options, one morning and one evening. Please contact Janis at jlparker@wi.rr.com to join the group.
Church and Scripture Study
Each fall we offer those interested the chance to engage in an in depth study of scripture and/or the church. Both morning and evening sessions are offered in order to accommodate the needs of the parishioners. For information please contact John Sokop at 262-443-3170.
