The Celebration of the Sacraments
The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify men, to build up the Body of Christ, and, finally, to give worship to God. Because they are signs they also instruct. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and objects they also nourish, strengthen, and express it.
II Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
Baptism
Typically, St. Joseph's celebrates baptism for one of its children during the 5:15 PM Mass on Saturday evenings on the first weekend of the month and at the 12:00 PM Mass on Sundays on the last weekend of the month. If the parents of the child to be baptized have not previously done so, St. Joseph's asks the parents to attend baptismal preparation classes. To schedule a baptism or to find the schedule for baptismal preparation classes, please contact the rectory.
Confirmation
St. Joseph's welcomes the Bishop of Erie or his designate to confirm its young adults during their junior year of high school. According to diocesan guidelines, students preparing to be confirmed will be required to go on retreat with their class as arranged by St. Joseph's, to complete the number of service hours expected by the diocese, and to attend religious education classes. Because the religion curriculum of Catholic high schools does not include spiritual preparation to receive the sacraments, all students regardless of high school attendance will be expected to attend religious education through the Sunday Night with St. Joe program offered by the parish. For more information, please contact the director of religious education.
First Eucharist
With great joy, St. Joseph's celebrates the reception of first Eucharist during the Easter season of the children's third-grade year. It is expected that the children will have prepared for first Eucharist either through religious education classes or by attending Catholic school.
Marriage
The celebration of marriage is a joyful time for spouses to be, and St. Joseph's is pleased to share the joy of its members in celebrating the nuptial bond. Although diocesan guidelines require persons entering marriage to notify the parish six months before their expected date of marriage, St. Joseph's asks persons preparing to marry to notify the parish one year before their desired marriage date because of scheduling challenges. Marriage preparation entails meeting with one of the parish priests, completing the FOCCUS inventory, and attending either Pre-Cana or Catholic Engaged Encounter. Please contact one of the priests at the parish for more information. It will behelpful to consult the parish marriage policy for more information.
It is important to note that according to Canon Law, persons who have been previously married may not attempt another marriage in the Church before they have received an annulment or a dissolution of the bond from a Catholic tribunal.
Holy Orders
We pray that God may continue to raise up young men from our community to answer the universal call to holiness by discerning and ultimately living a vocation blessed by the sacrament of orders. Members of St. Joseph Church are active participants in Serra International through the Mercer County Serra Club. In the Diocese of Erie, men who are interested in exploring a vocation to the priesthood begin their formal discernment at St. Mark's Seminary in Erie.
Reconciliation
First Reconciliation
As is policy throughout the Diocese of Erie, children of St. Joseph's celebrate their first reconciliation during Lent of their second-grade year. If your child does not attend Catholic school, it is expected that they will have attended religious education classes before celebrating first reconciliation. To enroll your child in religious education, please contact the director of religious education for more information.
Other Chances for Reconciliation
The people of St. Joseph's have the opportunity to receive sacramental reconciliation on Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:30. Other times are available by appointment; to schedule a time for reconciliation, please contact one of the priests through the rectory. During Lent and Advent, St. Joseph's is pleased to invite priests from area parishes for a communal celebration of reconciliation. The dates for these communal celebrations can be found on this website and in the parish bulletin
Anointing of the Sick
If you or a loved one wishes to receive the sacrament of anointing prior to or during a hospital stay, please contact the rectory office. The parish priests make regular visits to the area hospitals and are happy to visit at other times or in case of emergency.
St. Joseph Church also celebrates the healing power of Christ through the sacrament of anointing by communal celebration of the sacrament during Sunday Masses several times each year. Please check the home page or the parish bulletin for the dates and times of these celebrations.