Baptism
The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus. Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist. The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters. . . . Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin. However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin – Original and actual – and begin to live a new life with God.
In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ’s call to holiness. In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with an ever deeper love.
See more information on this web page: USCCB – Baptism
If you have a child who needs to receive this sacrament, please call the church office at 772-461-8150 Monday through Friday between 8:30 and 3:30. Our staff will be glad to assist you. We are able to do the liturgy in Spanish as well.
Confirmation
The prophets of the Old Testament foretold that God’s Spirit would rest upon the Messiah to sustain his mission. Their prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus the Messiah was conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus on the occasion of his baptism by John. Jesus’ entire mission occurred in communion with the Spirit. Before he died, Jesus promised that the Spirit would be given to the Apostles and to the entire Church. After his death, he was raised by the Father in the power of the Spirit.
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. . . . We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service.
Classes begin in September of each year. Please call us for more information at 772-461-8150.
View one of the many videos about Confirmation here: Confirmation videos from FORMED
It is easy to sign up for Formed and watch or listen to all the content that is there:
First Communion
“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.’” – John 6:35
Children usually receive their first holy communion after attending Religious Education. Classes begin in September of each year. If you have a child who has not attended classes and needs to be prepared to receive his/her first holy communion, please call our office for more information – 772-461-8150.
This article from the Catholic Company explains the importance of First Communion, one of the Sacraments of Initiation (along with Baptism and Confirmation)
Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick is not only for the dying as part of the Last Rites. These quotes from page 82 -84 of “Pastoral Care of the Sick” clarify that “The sacrament of anointing is the proper sacrament for those Christians whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age. It may be celebrated in the home, in a hospital or institution, or in church…the sacrament of anointing may be repeated: a) when the sick person recovers after being anointed and, at a later time, becomes sick again; b) when during the same illness the condition of the sick person becomes more serious…In the case of a person who is chronically ill, or elderly and in a weakened condition, the sacrament of anointing may be repeated.”
If you have a loved one who would like to be anointed, please call the office at 772-461-8150 and one of our priests will come to visit and administer the sacrament of anointing. We can also anoint you after Mass during the week or on the weekend if you would like to receive this sacrament due to illness or if you have an upcoming surgery.
Videos on Anointing of the Sick
How to sign up for Formed:
Confession (Reconciliation)
Not only does the Sacrament of Penance free us from our sins but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. We are liberated to be forgivers. We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.”
Jesus entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Church. The Sacrament of Penance is God’s gift to us so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven. In confession, we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in his presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins. With absolution, we are reconciled to God and the Church. The Sacrament helps us stay close to the truth that we cannot live without God. “In him, we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
From the Catechism Paragraphs 1457 – 1458:
1457: According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” (Council of Trent, 1551)
Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.
1458: Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed, the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful.
For more information, see:
http://usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/penance/index.cfm
Examinations of Conscience
Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, one should prepare oneself with an examination of conscience, which involves reflecting prayerfully on one’s thoughts, words, and deeds in order to identify any sins.
There are various types of examinations of conscience but regardless of which one you use to prepare yourself for the Sacrament it should be rooted in Scripture; particularly, the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes. On the link below are a few examples of Examinations of Conscience that can help you prepare for the Sacrament.
USCCB Examinations of Conscience
At St Mark, we have confessions on Saturday from 3 to 3:30 PM, but if you need confession outside of this time frame, please call the office for an appointment with one of our priests at 772-461-8150.