SACRAMENTS

SACRAMENTS

A sacrament is a sacred and visible sign that is instituted by Jesus to give us grace. Christ is present every time each sacrament is celebrated. The Catholic Church has all of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ, which include Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. St. Elizabeth Seton Parish offers sacramental preparation for all ages. For adults who wish to become Catholic, we invite you to participate in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) program.

Experience a positive difference in your life and family at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish by encountering Jesus through the sacraments.

Anointing of the Sick

The Anointing of the Sick is offered four times a year during weekend Masses listed in the parish bulletin. For those who are ill or preparing for hospitalization, the sacrament may be received once every six months. It can also be requested anytime by contacting a parish priest.

Emergency Requests
Call the parish office at 708-403-0101 for emergencies.

Hospitalization
Because of HIPAA privacy laws, hospitals cannot notify the parish of your stay. Please call the parish office at 708-403-0101, and if no immediate response, stay on the line to reach our priest emergency line.

Prayers for the Sick and Deceased
Parishioners who are ill, hospitalized, or recently deceased may be added to the parish prayer list by calling 708-403-0101.

Baptism

Baptism is the first sacrament of Christian life and must be received before any other sacrament. Infant baptisms are celebrated twice monthly on Sundays at 1:00 p.m. First-time parents must attend a Baptismal Preparation Class, a one-night seminar focused on the role of parents in their child’s faith. Baptisms are limited to six children per Sunday.

Adults or families seeking baptism are warmly welcomed into the process of Christian initiation. Please call the parish office at 708-403-0101 to register or for details.

Confirmation

Confirmation is one of the Sacraments of Initiation, along with Baptism and Eucharist. For enrollment in the Religious Education Program, contact the Director of Religious Education at 708-403-0137 or barracca@steseton.com. Adults may call the parish office at 708-403-0101 for information on OCIA.

Eucharist (First Holy Communion)

The Eucharist is a Sacrament of Initiation. For children, contact the Director of Religious Education at 708-403-0137 or barracca@steseton.com for Religious Education enrollment. Adults seeking the Eucharist should contact the parish office at 708-403-0101 for information on OCIA.

Holy Matrimony

It gives us great joy to celebrate the love of God in the lives of men and women on their wedding day, and to help prepare them for the beautiful and joyful life that God invites them into through this sacrament!

If you are recently engaged and want to celebrate your wedding here at St. Elizabeth Seton, we encourage you to contact the parish office as soon as possible, but no later than six months prior to a planned date. Couples are required to participate in preparation meetings with our priests, as well as a formal preparation program called PreCana offered through St. Elizabeth Seton, the Archdiocese of Chicago, or the “One in Christ” Program.

Wedding Planning Details

How does preparing for marriage work? How much does it cost? What are the options for the readings and vows at the wedding Mass/ceremony?

Take a look at our wedding booklet for answers to these and many more questions.

PreCana through the Archdiocese of Chicago

You may wish to take the PreCana classes through the Archdiocese of Chicago. Classes are offered at different churches throughout the Archdiocese. We recommend the program One in Christ, and to begin the program soon after engagement – it is very immersive!

https://www.oneinchristmarriage.com/

The Archdiocese also has many resources for how to begin the marriage process, addressing former marriages, and PreCana classes they offer throughout the year.

https://pvm.archchicago.org/lifelong-formation/marriage/how-to-get-married

St. Elizabeth Seton PreCana “Wedding Workshop”

This one-day session is conducted by our parish’s married couples who are passionate about helping young couples thrive in a happy married life. They will share their wisdom on topics such as communication, goal setting, finances, faith, and family.

Holy Orders

Are you a man discerning a vocation to the priesthood or the diaconate? Our priests and deacons are happy to share the joys of these amazing vocations with you, and what the steps of discernment look like. Reach out to us to learn more!

You may also email Fr. Tim Monahan, Vocations Director of the Archdiocese of Chicago at tmonahan@archchicago.org.

Check out the Archdiocesan resources for vocational discernment:

Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), is a process by which participants are joined to Christ’s death, burial and resurrection through the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. It is a process for adults who have never been baptized. However, those who have been baptized into other Christian denominations or Catholics who were baptized but have not received Eucharist or Confirmation may join the process. Participants reflect on Scripture and the Tradition and Doctrines of the Catholic Church at weekly gatherings. Please call the parish office for more information at 708-403-0101

Reconciliation

Reconciliation is encouraged at least once every one to two months and may be scheduled anytime with a priest.

Saturday Reconciliation
Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. in the Reconciliation Room. During Lent, Saturdays begin at 3:30 p.m. in the church.

Parish Reconciliation Services
Special parish services are offered during Advent and Lent.

Funerals

St. Elizabeth Seton is one heartfelt parish family. During the difficult moments of loss and grieving, we are honored and privileged to accompany our parish families as together we commend the souls of their loved ones into the hands of our Father in heaven through the ancient funeral rites of the Catholic Church. The Bereavement Ministry at St. Elizabeth Seton assists our priests in providing grieving families prayerful support and comfort during the funeral rituals. Our Ministers guide families in planning the funeral Mass by helping them select meaningful readings, music, and prayers to honor the deceased.