"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. That is why they are called 'sacraments of faith." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1123)
RECONCILIATION: Reconciliation is available Tuesday and Saturday, 4-4:30 PM in the reconciliation chapel located in the southeast corner of the main chapel, or by appointment.
BAPTISM: Parish Registration is required to have a child baptized at Newman. Contact the office to register for an upcoming catechetical session; sessions are offered bi-monthly. Attendance is required for all parents prior to baptism of the child. The best time to attend the class is during early pregnancy.
FIRST RECONCILIATION: In this diocese, First Reconciliation precedes reception of First Eucharist. Catechesis for this sacrament takes place during school and/or parish religious education classes and in family-directed activities with reception of the sacrament in the autumn of the second grade year.
FIRST EUCHARIST: In this diocese, First Eucharist is typically received by children during the spring of the 2nd grade. Catechesis for this sacrament takes place during school and/or parish religious education classes and in family-directed activities.
CONFIRMATION: click here for High School Confirmation
Preparation for Adults
If you are a baptized Catholic who has completed high school and who has celebrated your First Communion but for whatever reason was not able to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, you are invited to prepare for and be Confirmed at the St. Thomas More Newman Center.
While many confirmation programs last a year or more, this one has been condensed into a format that will accommodate the busy schedules of university students and young adults. Because of its brevity, attendance is essential. People whose schedules will cause them to miss more than one session should consider taking part in the program at a later time.
Classes for Confirmation will be scheduled for the spring of 2010. Please contact Fr. Thomas Saucier by email (tsaucier@newmancentercolumbia.org) or by calling the office (449-5424) if you would like more information about the classes.
Below is a list of things that you can start on before the first class:
§ Obtain a new copy of your baptismal certificate.
§ Married persons must be in a valid sacramental Catholic marriage in order to be confirmed. Please bring a copy of your church marriage certificate with you. [If you would like to have your non-sacramental marriage blessed, please call ahead and make an appointment with one of the priests or deacons on staff. Normally the process requires six months of marriage preparation.]
§ Invite a Catholic who is confirmed and at least sixteen years of age whom you admire for their Christian witness to be your Confirmation sponsor. Married persons cannot ask their spouse to be their sponsor.
§ Begin thinking of a Saint you would like to be your patron. You may choose to take the Saint’s name as your confirmation name. The patron saints index http://saints.sqpn.com/indexsnt.htm provides profiles and information on saints.
§ Complete the registration form.
MARRIAGE: Register and worship with us for at least 3 months, then contact a priest at least six month in advance of the planned wedding.
ANNOINTING OF THE SICK: A priest may come to your home or to the hospital to anoint any parishioner in need. Please call the office to make arrangements.
HOLY COMMUNION FOR THE SICK: The priests, deacons and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist are available to bring Holy Communion to the home. Please call the office to make arrangements. If a parishioner is hospitalized or in a nursing home, please inform the hospital chaplain or staff of the patient's wish to receive the Eucharist.