The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is not only for those who are at the point of death, but for anyone who is seriously ill, including mental or spiritual illness. It is a community-based sacrament, although it can be privately administered as well.

Who is a candidate to receive this sacrament? Today we are all aware that tensions, fear, and anxiety about the future affect not only our mind but our body. Emotional issues and psychological disorders can be serious. They can move us to ask for the healing touch of Christ in the Sacrament of Anointing. Someone with the disease of alcoholism or a person suffering from other addictions can be anointed. The anxiety before exploratory surgery to determine if cancer is present is also a situation in which Christ’s power can be invoked in the sacrament.

If you or someone you know is wondering about or considering a vocation to the priesthood, permanent diaconate, or consecrated life, contact one of the priests or the parish office. Also refer to the vocations website of the Diocese of Hamilton, www.vocationinfo.ca.

Whether you are a newly engaged couple, a couple thinking of taking that step, hopeful parents, or a couple wishing to have your marriage blessed by the Church, St. Francis Xavier Parish welcomes you.

In our parish we typically wish to have a year’s notice of intent to marry, so as to provide all the proper preparation. A face-to-face meeting between the couple and the priest is always the first step. Take a pink leaflet from the entrance-way to the church for further information.

Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. Like Baptism and Eucharist, it is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics and a Sacrament of faith in God’s fidelity to us. Confirmation is now offered annually in our Diocese to young people in Grade 7. Contact the parish office if the youth is beyond Grade 7. Adult Confirmation is prepared for either as part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process, or privately with a priest or parish minister, depending on the circumstances.

The sacraments of Christian initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist – lay the foundations of every Christian life. The sharing in the divine nature given to all men and women through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life.

First Eucharist is usually celebrated during the Easter season with children in Grade 2 or above. To celebrate this sacrament, children will

1. participate in on-going faith formation
2. attend the sacrament prep sessions, and
3. have celebrated First Reconciliation.

Catholics celebrate their faith through all of the sacraments. Among the seven sacraments, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or the Sacrament of Penance, is an important key to the Catholic living. Vatican II helped Catholics to see this sacrament in a new way, opening our lives to the loving forgiveness of the Savior. In our parish, Confessions are heard every Saturday from 4-5 p.m. Expanded times are provided during Advent and Lent. Private appointments for the Sacrament can be made by contacting one of the priests. Confessions are heard in our parish schools during Advent and Lent.

Infant Baptisms are scheduled regularly throughout the year, typically on two Sundays a month, at 1:00 p.m. We generally try to keep to no more than 6 babies per ceremony. Special circumstances will be addressed as they arise (older children, particular needs of the family), once contact has been made and a meeting with the priest has taken place.

There is a Baptismal Preparation Meeting every third Wednesday of each month (with the exception of the month of July) at 6:45 p.m. in the small meeting room located in the Parish Centre. Only one parent needs to attend (re: babysitting issues). If you have not already done so, please contact the Parish Office to register for this meeting. Take a green leaflet from the entranceway to the church for further information.

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church’s way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.