Sacraments

BAPTISM:
Your Child’s Baptism
Congratulations!  God has blessed you with a child! All of us who share faith with you rejoice.  New life has come to your home in a beautiful child who will grace our world. We are looking forward to welcoming your child into the Christian community through baptism.  We want to share your joy and that of your child’s godparents.  Soon your very own child will be marked with the sign of the cross and made a member of God’s family. Baptism is a very memorable moment in your life and in that of all your family and friends.  We would like to journey with you and talk about a life of faith, the church, and the sacrament itself.

To prepare for this special day we ask that parents be registered members of Our Lady of the Presentation and to register in person at the parish office to attend two required preparation sessions.  It is preferred that both parents attend the session before the birth of their child.  These sessions are designed to enrich your understanding of the sacrament, answer question about the celebration, and encourage you to think about your own faith and what advantages you already have to pass on to your child.

If you have attended the baptism preparation session in the last two years, you do not need to attend again.

For Older Children, ages 7-14
For children ages 7 to 14 please contact the Children’s Faith Formation Office, 816-251-1135 for information about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC). The Rite of Christian Initiation is an adaptation of a process used in the early Church for those who wished to become members of the faithful.  There are several stages of preparation before entering fully into the community at the Easter Vigil. The RCIC entails commitment to a period of study of the Catholic faith during which the individual discerns the call to join the Catholic faith community. This program prepares one for full initiation (Baptism, Communion, Confirmation) into the Catholic Church.

Can I be a Godparent?
The Church requires that a minimum of one of the godparents be:
•16 years of age or older
•A catholic that has been confirmed and received Holy Eucharist
•In good standing with the Catholic Church.

FIRST EUCHARIST/FIRST RECONCILIATION:
For Children:
For information about preparing children age seven or older for these sacraments, contact the Children’s Faith Formation Office at 816-251-1135.

For Adults:
Catholics: Adults who were baptized in the Catholic Church but have never received the other sacraments should contact Tony Butel, Director of Adult Faith Formation, 816-251-1113, for information about preparing for the sacraments as an adult.
Non-Catholics: See the Adult Faith Formation page for an explanation of the preparation process.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION:
Involves preparing individuals for the sacraments of initiation, which includes Baptism, Communion and Confirmation.
For Adults:
RCIA for adults inquiring into the Catholic faith, to learn more about being Catholic, or interested in becoming Catholic. For more information contact Tony Butel, 816- 251-1113.

For Children:
RCIC:  For children ages 7 to 14 please contact the Children’s Faith Formation Office, 816-251-1135 for information about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC).
The RCIC entails commitment to a period of study of the Catholic faith during which the individual discerns the call to join the Catholic faith community.  This program prepares one for full initiation (Baptism, Communion, Confirmation) into the Catholic Church.
CONFIRMATION:
Our Confirmation process begins with registration in the fall of the candidate’s sophomore year with Confirmation usually in the spring.  For information or if you have questions, call the Youth Ministry Office, 251-1107.

For Adults:
For adults, please contact the Adult Faith Formation office, 816-251-1113,about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

MARRIAGE (Sacrament of Holy Matrimony):

The exchange of wedding vows is a sacrament in the Catholic Church called Holy Matrimony. Since sacraments are celebrated in the presence of the faith community, at least one member of the engaged couple, or one of their parents, must be a registered parishioner for six months or longer before they may prepare to receive this sacrament at Presentation Parish. The sacrament of Holy Matrimony requires preparation over the course of several months. Presentation Parish also has a Wedding Coordinator, who assists couples in the preparation of marriage. To learn more about preparing for your marriage at Our Lady of the Presentation, please contact the Parish Office at 251-1100, at least nine months prior to your desired wedding date.

ANOINTING OF THE  SICK:  

The Sacrament of the Sick is available to all who are sick, will soon undergo surgery, or are suffering the effects of aging. The sacrament is administered approximately every three months at local Care Centers and periodically at weekend Masses. The sacrament is also available at any time upon request. Anointing of the Sick is not the Last Rites for the dying but is meant to grant strength and healing to those who are coping with illness. Therefore, request of the sacrament should never be delayed until the point of death. Those who are approaching death receive viaticum— reception of the Eucharist for the final time.

The Sacrament of the Sick may be requested by calling the Pastoral Care Office, 816- 251-1102. Due to patient privacy guidelines, the parish is not notified of hospital admissions of parishioners. Please call the Parish Office with admission information.